Need a charming Hill Country getaway with lakes and history? Head to Burnet, Texas! Known as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas,” Burnet offers scenic beauty, historic attractions, and small-town charm. Whether you're boating on the lake, hiking in a canyon, or strolling through town, Burnet makes for a peaceful and picturesque retreat.
Burnet, TX Highlights:
- For Nature Lovers: Explore Inks Lake State Park – Camp, hike, swim, or kayak in this Hill Country gem with granite outcrops and waterfalls.
- For Families: Ride the Hill Country Flyer with the Austin Steam Train Association – Step back in time aboard a scenic heritage railroad ride.
- For History Buffs: Visit Fort Croghan Museum – Tour one of Texas’ first frontier forts and explore pioneer-era cabins and artifacts.
- For Photographers: See the bluebonnets at their peak – Visit in spring when wildflowers paint the fields with vibrant blues and purples.
- For Explorers: Hike Longhorn Cavern State Park – Take a guided cave tour through dramatic underground passages carved by an ancient river.
Best Time to Visit Burnet, TX
The best time to visit Burnet is in spring (March to May) for wildflower season or fall (September to November) for mild weather and outdoor festivals. Summer is great for lake lovers but can be hot.
How to Get to Burnet, TX
- If you are traveling by car: Burnet is located along US-281, about 1 hour northwest of Austin and 90 minutes north of San Antonio.
- By Plane: The nearest major airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about 70 miles away.
- By Train: While Burnet doesn’t have commercial train service, the Hill Country Flyer offers scenic heritage rides on weekends.
Where to Stay in Burnet, TX
- Comfort Inn & Suites Burnet – Modern hotel with free breakfast, pool, and great access to town and parks.
- Painted Sky Inn – Quaint lakeside lodging on Lake Buchanan, ideal for fishing and relaxing.
- Reveille Peak Ranch – Great for mountain biking or group stays, with rustic cabins and campgrounds.
Best Things to Do in Burnet, TX
1. Longhorn Cavern State Park
Rating: ★★★★★
Longhorn Cavern State Park is a state park and a limestone cave that was formed by a underground river thousands of years ago. Although the cave is a tourist attraction today, in previous history, it was used by Native Americans, outlaws, and Confederate soldiers. Also, it was a popular speakeasy in the 1920s were artists and musicians came to perform. By November 1933, it officially became Longhorn Cavern State Park. Then, the cave was further excavated to make room for stairs and walkways inside the tavern. In 2006, musical concert series were reintroduced and in 2008, Redneck Jedi recorded their fifth album here.
6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611, Phone: 512-715-9000
For wine tasting
2. Torr Na Loch Vineyard and Winery
Blake and Karen DeBerry bought a 180-acre ranch in Burnet while living in Scotland. Years later they took a trip to Australia, and had the idea to turn their property into a winery. They wanted to give their winery a Scottish name, so they called it Torr Na Loch Vineyard and Winery, roughly translating to ‘Hill Over Lakes.’ After a few years of dedicated preparation of the land, the DeBerry’s completed their winery and tasting room, which opened in the fall of 2015. While visiting the winery, guests can sip their wine from various vantage points that showcase views of the Texas Hill Country.
7055 W State Highway 29, Burnet, TX 78611, Phone: 512-766-0555
3. Perissos Vineyards
Perissos is a Greek word that means to exceed beyond what’s expected, or hoped for. With the name chosen, the owners set out to create a 16-acre vineyard in the heart of Texas Hill Country. The soil used to grow their grapes is decomposed granite soil, which helps ripen grapes more effectively than other soils. Each year, the soil is restored in a sustainable way using organic composts and mulches. There are 13 different varieties of grapes grow on Perissos Vineyards to create wines. The majority of wines served and sold here include, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, and Viognier.
7214 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611, Phone: 512-820-2950
For a relaxing day on the lake
4. Lake Buchanan
Lake Buchanan was created to supply water to the region and provide hydroelectric power. Buchanan was the first and is the largest of the Texas Highland Lakes. It has 22,333 acres, or 35 square miles of surface water. Several species of fish live in the lake and were brought there to improve the reservoir for recreational fishing. The types of fish in Lake Buchanan include largemouth bass, catfish, striped and white bass. Many homes and cottages surround the lake and get rented by tourists and locals alike. There are three parks on the lake and private marinas that provide boating access to the lake.
Located off Highway 29, Burnet, TX
5. Lake LBJ
Named after Lyndon B. Johnson, Lake LBJ is a reservoir on the Colorado River. During the construction of Granite Shoals Dam, this lake was formed in 1950. Those who like to fish recreationally will find catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and white bass in this lake. Much of the property that borders the lake is privately owned. Next to it is the Nightengale Archaeological Center at Kingsland. It’s an educational park that the Lower Colorado River Authority operates. Lake LBJ is largely known for its ideal conditions for water sports, especially boating, water skiing, paddle boarding, and more.
Burnet, TX
6. Inks Lake
Inks Lake is a reservoir in the Texas Hill Country that was formed in 1938 by the construction of Inks Dam. It was named after Roy B. Inks, an original board member for the Lower Colorado River Authority. The lake provides flood control and features a small hydroelectric power plant. For recreational uses, Inks Lake is best suited for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping. Adjacent to the lake is Inks Lake State Park. Visitors of the park come here to backpack, golf, or park their boats. One activity that adventure enthusiasts might like is cliff jumping at the "Devil's Water Hole."
3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611, Phone: 512-793-2223
Attractions for Couples
7. Falkenstein Castle
Falkenstein Castle is a public venue and the private residence of Terry and Kim Young. While taking a trip to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany the Young’s learned about plans of another castle, named “Falkenstein.” Although the castle was never built, the Young’s were able to track down the sketches and plans from artist, Christian Janks. Using these renderings as inspiration, they decided to build a castle of their own in Burnet. The castle itself covers four-acres of land, and sits on a 113-acre property. In addition to the Young’s residence, the castle is a venue for weddings and charitable events.
7400 Park Rd 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611, 737-356-2278
8. Hill Country Motorheads
Hill Country Motorheads is a vintage motorcycle museum owned by Pat and Janell Hanlon. On display are street bikes, drag racers, choppers, motocrossers, and other vintage motorcycles and memorabilia. Most of the 200 plus motorcycles in the collection originate from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Furthermore, the Hill Country Motorheads museum features over 70 bikes of various brands from all over the world. Even more, a few bikes on display are older than the 60s generation bikes. Besides walking through the 7,000 square foot museum, visitors can play pool, enjoy some snacks, watch TV on the big screen, or relax in the lounge.
2001 West State Hwy 29, Burnet, Texas 78611, Phone: 512-553-4078
9. Highland Lakes Squadron
Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force is a museum that opened in April of 1992. The man credited as the founder is Col Harold Smith. Inside the museum are artifacts donated from various sources. Many of the artifacts on display come from residents of the local Burnet and Marble Falls area. Some of these artifacts originated from pilots, gunners, engineers, and co-pilots who served in New Guinea, WWII, and went on missions over occupied Europe. There’s also a WWII gun and knife collection that was originally assembled by Col Bill Pair. Today, volunteers maintain and operate the museum for visitors.
2402 S Water St, Burnet, TX 78611, Phone: 512-756-2226
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