A Fall Guide to Visiting Llano County

Learn what makes fall a beautiful time to visit Llano County.

As the temperatures begin to ease and we start to enjoy pleasant days and cooler Hill Country nights, Llano County becomes an especially inviting place to spend a weekend.

From festivals and live music to hiking, river time, shopping, great food and wide-open Texas Hill Country scenery, fall offers plenty of reasons to make the drive and stay awhile.

And with an abundance of local short-term rentals, it’s easy to turn a day trip into a true getaway.

Make Llano County Your Fall Home Base

One of the best things about Llano County is that you can access a little of everything from a central home base. By staying in the area, you can enjoy different activities depending on the day and on your desires for adventure.

Local short-term rentals range from cozy cottages and riverfront cabins to spacious lake houses and larger homes for families and groups. Many offer full kitchens, outdoor spaces, fire pits, multiple bedrooms and room to spread out—giving you a place to relax and enjoy the Hill Country even after the day's adventures are over.

Staying locally also gives you more flexibility. Wake up slowly, make coffee at your rental, head into town for breakfast, spend the afternoon exploring and then return to your home base for a sunset or evening around the fire.

You can search local Llano County short-term rentals and find accommodations based on the size of your group, location and amenities.

Start With a Fall Festival

Fall is a busy time on the Llano County events calendar, so check what's happening before you arrive and plan your trip around an event, or simply let the event be an added bonus fun factor in your weekend.

Llano Oktoberfest celebrates the area's German heritage with food, fun and community spirit.

Llano Heritage Days brings the county's frontier history to life with a chuckwagon cookoff and other activities.

The Llano River Pumpkin Float brings the river to life with hundreds of beautifully carved, glowing pumpkins.

And, the Castell General Store Hunters Ball brings together the people who are in town to hunt with local residents for a fun evening of connection in camo.

Get Outside in the Hill Country Air

Fall is an ideal time to explore the landscape that makes Llano County special.

Hike among the granite formations at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, and allocate some extra time for exploring the newly opened Backcountry area and hike the rugged trails. Across both portions of the park, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the county's rivers, lakes, and granite outcroppings while exploring under a wide-open sky.

For a slower-paced afternoon or to keep the kids entertained, head to one of Llano's riverfront parks. Badu Park and Grenwelge Park offer easy access to the Llano River and are close to downtown, making it possible to enjoy some outdoor time and let the kids burn off the steam while also grabbing yourself a coffee from Mava Java or heading back into town for an ice cream at Llano River Creamery.

Or, head to Horseshoe Bay Nature Park where you can immerse yourself in nature, learn about conservation and just enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

And, one of the best things about renting a place for the weekend in Llano: you’ve probably got plenty of space and views at your doorstep. You can find a rental right on the water and spend some porch time watching the wildlife or enjoying the beauty of a sunset.

Taste Some Fall Flavors

We may be biased but we think there’s nothing like barbecue on a fall day. There’s just something about the smoky flavors and the hearty meats and sides that’s perfect for a fall weekend… and even better if there’s a football game on the big screen while you’re enjoying it.

Cooper’s Old-Time Pit BBQ: The legendary barbecue headquarters of Llano County. Reviewers say, “Hands down the best BBQ I Jane ever eaten! I tried a little bit of several types of meats and they were all so smoky good! The twice baked mashed potatoes was delicious and I wanted to take the entire tray of Blackberry Cobbler home with me, it was so dang good.”
Miiller’s Meat Market and Smokehouse: Great spot for provisions that you can prepare and eat al fresco at your short-term rental. Reviewers say, “Miiller's is a Central Texas Institution. Long before I walked in their door, I had heard from many others about Miiller's meat and service. We were not disappointed! Miiller's has a terrific breadth and depth of offerings from summer sausage to fillets and ribeye; all looked amazing. We left with some of the tastiest bratwurst we've ever had, along with cooking recommendations that yielded exceptional results.”
Inman’s BBQ: Another local favorite with a 50+ year history of serving outstanding barbecue. Reviewers say, “This place offers OUTSTANDING BBQ! The brisket was so soft and juicy, the turkey sausage jalapeño cheddar was sensational and the Mac n cheese was cheesy and the noodles were cooked to perfection. The service is wonderful with friendly faces and the atmosphere is what you’d expect from a well established Texas BBQ joint”
Spyke’s BBQ: Casual barbecue spot in Kingsland. Reviewers say, “The ribs and brisket were the most tender and moist and smoky delicious. Even the sausage was incredible and we don’t usually get sausage.”

For sweet treats, we have some fall favorites, too. The Pink Opossum, a mother-daughter owned coffee shop in Buchanan Dam, has some seasonal drink specials that bring out the fall flavors (the Campfire Critter is a smores-inspired flavor with marshmallow and chocolate in a perfect combination).

Take a Scenic Drive

You don't have to have a specific destination to enjoy a drive through Llano County.

Wind your way along the county's back roads, passing granite hills, ranch land, oak trees and stretches of open sky. Stop when something catches your eye. Take photos. Find a place to sit beside the water. Or simply roll down the windows and enjoy being somewhere that feels a little removed from the rush of everyday life.

That slower pace is part of the appeal of Llano County. It's close enough for a weekend trip from Austin or San Antonio, but far enough away to feel like you've actually gotten away.

Make It a Girls' Weekend, Couples' Getaway or Family Trip

Fall in Llano County doesn't have to revolve around one particular activity.

Bring your friends and make it a girls' weekend in Llano County filled with shopping, food, wine, scenic drives and a cozy rental.

Bring your partner for a romantic Hill Country escape with a riverfront stay, a leisurely dinner and an evening under the stars.

Or bring the whole family and find a larger rental where everyone can have their own space while still enjoying time together.

That's one of the advantages of staying in a short-term rental: your trip can look however you want it to look. You can cook breakfast instead of rushing to a restaurant. You can bring the dog. You can spend an afternoon at the house. You can gather around a fire pit at night. And you can use your rental as a comfortable home base while exploring the rest of the county.

Stay for the Stars

When evening arrives, don't be too quick to head indoors.

Llano County's wide-open landscape and dark skies create beautiful opportunities for stargazing. Step outside your rental after dinner, turn off the lights and look up. Or, for a more communal activity, check the calendars of our two LCRA parks (Black Rock Park and Cedar Point) for events like “S’mores and Stargazing” or other guided constellation viewing activities.

Plan Your Fall Escape

Whether you're coming for a particular festival, an outdoor adventure, a hunting weekend, a romantic getaway or simply a few days away from the city, fall is an excellent time to discover Llano County.

We want to be your place to get away from city noise and hectic days, your spot for enjoying days of physical activity and evenings of starry skies. If you’re looking for a taste of authentic Texas, come out and join us in Llano County. Start planning your trip today!