A sizzling summer in Llano County can be cool in so many ways. Paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or swim in the Llano River. Take a boat out on the water for skiing, wakeboarding, or fishing on lakes LBJ and Buchanan. Or, just fish from the banks and docks all along the Llano County shorelines in Buchanan Dam, Sunrise Beach Village, Horseshoe Bay, and Kingsland.
At the Kingsland Slab on FM 3404 in Kingsland, the Llano River rolls over granite outcroppings and sandbars, forming swimming holes where the kids can play. The area is also popular for gold panning, which is free, no permit needed at the Slab.
Where the Llano River runs through the city of Llano, a dam forms a small lake at Badu Park, popular for picnicking, fishing, and water activities. One of the area’s big Fourth of July parties also happens in Badu Park each year along with the Rock’n Riverfest, a Jet Ski competition.
Below the dam is more fishing, swimming, and another place to pan for gold without a fee or permit.
Speaking of Fourth of July, the biggest show in the entire Highland Lakes happens in Llano County in Kingsland on Lake LBJ. For more than 50 years, AquaBoom has dominated the late June and early July calendar in Kingsland, a recreational community with a wide variety of vacation rentals, lakeside resorts, cabins, and more. There’s never a lack for something to do in Kingsland in the summer — unless, of course, that’s exactly what you want.
Vacation rentals can put you in the middle of the action or sit you down at a lakeside home surrounded by nothing more than the buzz of a few boats and Jet Skis on the water. Listen to the wildlife, the lap of the waves, and relax in the peace.
Summer is harvest time for the many vineyards in the Highland Lakes, and Llano County is home to one of the first to set down roots, claiming this Hill Country region as wine country. Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow near Lake Buchanan offers wine tastings year-round in an elegant (and air-conditioned) tasting room and gift shop as you look out over 65 acres of vineyard. Many of the vineyards extend invitations to help at harvest time and even hold grape stomps in August.
Along with AquaBoom in Kingsland and the Llano Rock’n Riverfest on the Fourth of July, summer events include the Llano Open-Pro Rodeo in June, a variety of car shows, live music, and markets. You’ll find them all on our events calendar.
Keep it cool in the summer with a Visit to Llano County for celebrating, swimming, sipping, and more.
