One of the most scenic regions in Texas, the Hill Country lies west of Interstate 35 and runs roughly between Austin and San Antonio. Fall-like weather usually doesn’t arrive until mid-October, but once it does, the cool nights and warm days are fantastic for getting outside. You’ll enjoy checking out all the places on this list!
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
Located along the Pedernales River, Reimers, as many locals refer to it, has some of the most unique and beautiful scenery in the state. This Travis County park is popular for hiking, photography, rock climbing, swimming, birdwatching, and mountain biking.
Hamilton Pool
Another Travis County Park and located very close to Reimers, Hamilton Pool has long been one of the most beautiful and famous swimming holes in the state. If it isn’t swimming weather, you can still enjoy the scenery by hiking. Note that you need a reservation to get into this park.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Another park along the Pedernales River, this park has a good system of hiking trails. The main attraction is Pedernales Falls, where the river narrows and rushes through a gorge. Downstream a few miles from the falls is a designated swimming area; swimming isn’t allowed in the pool at the base of the falls.
Pace Bend Park
A dam on the Pedernales created Lake Travis, an important reservoir for the Austin area. It’s a popular spot for swimming, boating, cliff jumping, camping, and picnicking. Another exciting activity is deep water soloing, a type of rock climbing that doesn’t use ropes and other protective gear; when you fall, you just fall into the water, which usually stays warm enough for most people well into October.
The Salt Lick
A cultural icon, the original Salt Lick in Driftwood is one of the most famous barbecue joints in Central Texas. It’s about more than food, though; it’s a cultural experience as folks gather for traditional Texas fare, outdoor dining, and live music.
Hays City Store
Also in Driftwood and located about a 15-minute drive from the Salt Lick, Hays City Store is actually a restaurant with a wide variety of food on offer. Like the Salt Lick, it has outdoor dining and live music and is as much about the experience as it is about the food.
San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers
An enormously popular summer activity in the Hill Country is to grab an inner tube and float one of the publicly accessible stretches of the rivers there. In the fall, there are still plenty of hot days, and the rivers won’t be as crowded. The San Marcos run rolls through the city of the same name and ends at a water park with three cascades you can run. The Guadalupe has good runs in the Gruene and Canyon Lake areas. If you don’t have your own tube, there are plenty of outfitters that will sell or rent them to you, and some provide shuttle services.
Enchanted Rock
This pink granite dome is one of the largest of its type in the country. From late spring into early fall, it can be dangerously hot there, but when summer’s hold breaks, this state natural area about 30 minutes from Fredericksburg is a beautiful place to go for a hike. It’s also a prime rock climbing destination in the state.
Fredericksburg
Proud of its German heritage, this town shows it in its German-themed restaurants, inns, and other buildings. Fall is when Oktoberfest occurs, and Fredericksburg is the semi-official state capital for it. The area around it boasts numerous wineries, and wine tours using professionally driven buses are a big draw.
Wimberley
Artsy, quirky, and unique, Wimberley, which is along the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, is a huge draw for weekend getaways. Check out some of its fun shops and restaurants, and if you can’t stay overnight, it’s still fun as a day trip.
Garner State Park
Garner State Park has a large campground and a “mountain” you can hike to the top of. What’s it’s best-known for, though, is the Frio River, a spring-fed waterway that stays cool even on the hottest days. Fall still has lots of swimming weather in and around the park on the Frio.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Something missing from much of Texas is vibrant fall foliage. Lost Maples is a notable exception. Based on its name, you won’t be surprised to find the forest here looking more like New England than Texas. The peak time is usually during the first half of November.
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