Everyone Should Take This Exhilarating Adventure To Some Of Texas’ Best Hidden Gems
Nothing quite compares to taking a long, scenic drive on a Texas backroad – especially during wildflower season. The Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail is popular among locals and tourists alike, with colorful blooms lining the path from start to finish. Centered around the Bluebonnet Trail, this Hill Country road trip showcases not only our state flower as you’ve never seen it before but also includes a pit stop at a mouthwatering BBQ restaurant, a thrilling zipline adventure that takes you soaring through the treetops, and the chance to make a splash in a crystal-clear swimming hole. The entire drive only takes about 90 minutes to complete, so you can spend plenty of time exploring each destination!
Click here for the Google Maps directions for the trip.
Fredericksburg is the last stop on the Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail, but it's where our expedition begins. Hop in your Nissan Frontier and let's go!
Keep your eyes peeled as you drive because soon you'll be heading into wildflower territory.
Wildflower season in Texas lasts from March until May, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. The windshield views this time of year are nothing short of unbeatable, and all it takes to experience the scenery for yourself is hopping in your vehicle and heading off-the-paved-path, where boundless adventure awaits.
Bluebonnets, the official state flower of Texas, are the most prevalent springtime blooms on the roadside, but you'll also see Indian paintbrushes, sunflowers, daisies, and all sorts of other flowers spanning the entire rainbow of colors. Equally breathtaking are the ancient rock formations carved out over eons of wind and water erosion, as well as undulating hills that seem to go on forever. About an hour away in Dripping Springs, Stagecoach Ranch Road offers a similarly rugged drive through endless wildflower fields - and it's en route to our next destination!
You're bound to be famished after all that exploring, so how about making a pit stop (pun intended) for lunch?
Whether you're in the mood for ribs, brisket, chopped beef, sausage, or even jerky, Cooper's has it all. Classic Southern sides include beans, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, potato salad, and whole baked potatoes, with homemade cobblers fresh from the oven to round out the meal.
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, 604 W Young St, Llano, TX 78643, USA
After your lunch has digested, it's time to get back on the road and head to Cypress Valley Canopy Tours in Spicewood.
Just 30 miles west of downtown Austin, this magical destination is a thrill-seeker's dream. Old-growth cypress trees, some up to 100 feet tall, are the foundation for an exhilarating zipline course that takes you soaring high above the forest canopy.
Lasting somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours, the family-friendly tour features five ziplines and two sky bridges that wobble underfoot as you gingerly make your way across.
Like a scene from Disney's Tarzan, this turquoise oasis is surrounded by lush greenery and features a breathtaking waterfall that gently cascades down the vines into the crystal-clear pool below. Fun fact: there are actually 32 separate springs on the 115-acre property — the swimming hole pictured here is just the most well-known. See if you can discover them all!
Krause Springs, 52822, Spicewood, TX 78669, USA
Would you travel off-the-paved-path and embark on this Texas Hill Country adventure? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, then check out our previous article to learn more about the breathtaking views waiting for you on Willow City Loop.
Address: Willow City Loop Bluebonnets, 6583-57 Willow City Loop, Willow City, TX 78675, USA
