If you’re looking for a Texas getaway filled with scenic rivers, small-town charm, legendary barbecue, water fun, wildflowers, and wide-open skies, Llano County deserves a spot on your travel list.
In the Texas Hill Country about an hour’s drive from Austin, two hours from Waco, and two hours from San Antonio. It’s just far enough to get you out of your everyday routine, but still close enough to make a weekend trip manageable and fun… and something you’ll want to repeat over and over again.
We love Llano County because it truly has something for everyone. Whether you want to hunt, fish, cycle, boat, or just get out into nature, Llano County is a paradise for people who love the outdoors. It’s an ideal spot for a family vacation, a girls’ trip, or an outdoor adventure.
Wondering where to get started with planning your trip to Llano County? We’ve put together a guide to the communities in our county, so you can figure out where you fit and start planning the perfect trip. Here’s an introduction to everything that makes our little corner of Texas so special.
Llano: Classic Texas with the Spirit of the West
Sitting along the Llano River, the town of Llano is a great first stop when you’re getting acquainted with the county.
Llano is known for maintaining a western, outdoors culture and keeping the old-time traditions of Texas alive. This community hosts multiple festivals that bring visitors into town year after year, including Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF), the Llano River Chuckwagon Cook-off, the Llano Fiddle Fest, and the Llano Crawfish Open.
Llano is known as the “Deer Capital of Texas,” and many hunting enthusiasts have their favorite leases booked months ahead of time. They may have even been coming to the same spot for years and years, but newcomers to the area are very welcome. The Llano Chamber maintains a list of local leases and hunting resources. And if everyone in the family doesn’t want to spend the full weekend on the hunting lease, there are plenty of nearby short-term rentals with close proximity to shopping and community activities.
Llano is also known for its barbecue culture. People drive from all over Texas (and even to eat at the legendary Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. Other great meat market options include Inman’s BBQ and Miiller’s Meat Market and Smokehouse.
The Llano River is a perfect entrance point to outdoor exploration and fun. Visitors can kayak, fish, swim, or simply relax along the banks with a picnic lunch or just with their thoughts. Badu Park is a favorite gathering place with river access and plenty of space to unwind.
Kingsland: Lake Life and Summer Energy
Kingsland is a favorite spot for those who love the water and want to be out on the lake. It’s at the intersection of the Llano and Colorado Rivers and provides ideal access to Lake LBJ, so you can fish, boat, jet ski, waterski, tube, and more.
It’s your chance to have all the fun of the water, plus plenty of great options for food, drinks and relaxation. The Kingsland area is a great option for finding short-term rentals with water access. And, there are plenty of places to rent boats, jet skis and more, so you don’t have to have your own to fully enjoy your lake time.
In addition to boating out on the lake, many visitors enjoy spending time at The Slab, a shallow granite area where tourists and locals alike enjoy getting some sun, picnicking and playing in the water.
Horseshoe Bay: Upscale Hill Country Retreat
Horseshoe Bay is known across Texas as an upscale lake retreat with fine dining, waterfront adventures, championship golf and more. Resort amenities are only available to members and guests, but there are also opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy golf and other activities in the area.
The Horseshoe Bay Resort is known for its beauty and luxury, and there are also plenty of other options to stay in a short-term rental in the community if you need more space or want more flexibility.
While Horseshoe Bay is considered an upscale and elegant lake community, you can depend on the people to show you traditional Texas Hill Country hospitality and make you feel welcome as you explore the area from beautiful sunrise to glorious sunset.
Buchanan Dam: Nature, Fishing, and Hidden Gems
Nature lovers know that Buchanan Dam is one of the best-kept secrets of the Texas Hill Country. The lakeside nature views are pristine and manage to feel uncrowded because of the lake’s massive size.
Photographers and bird watchers find this lake to be a special oasis, but it’s great place for water fun as well, whether you like to boat, tube, swim or ski. Fishing aficionados will also love getting their hooks in the water for bass and catfish.
Castell: Tiny Town with Quirks and Charm
Castell’s population is probably less than the total number of people in your local H-E-B at any given time (less than 100 residents call the area home). However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quirky personality and humor.
The Castell General Store anchors the small town and should be your stopping point for getting cold beverages and snacks for your trip.
The store cooks up special meals on certain days of the week and keeps potential guests updated on their social media accounts. For example, you can usually get burgers on Friday, barbecue on Saturday and steaks on Sunday. If you’re lucky, you might also catch live music or a fun community gathering.
From the “downtown” of Castell (the area around the general store), it’s fairly easy to access the Llano River and to fish and explore to your heart’s content. The area also hosts several well-known events with their own distinctive flavor, including the Castell Grind bike race and the annual Testicle Festival.
Short-term rentals around Castell generally are stunning with lots of space. Some, like “El Castell” on the Llano River, offer multiple cabins that can be rented as a group, making it a perfect place to host a friend trip or a family reunion.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Llano County
We like to call our little part of the world “unfiltered Texas Hill Country.” Llano County is still a place you go to get away from it all, where you can enjoy the slow pace of small-town life while still having convenient access to local restaurants, fun boutiques, breweries and wineries, and more.
You’ll come to Llano for the exploration and the ability to get off your phone and out into nature. You’ll come back – over and over – because you’ll want to repeat the same beautiful experiences and to share them with other people you care about. For many, Llano County becomes a place where families visit and enjoy the community, the lakes, and the beauty for generations.
