The Great Outdoors

The Texas Hill Country is rich with opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.  With approximately 20 State Parks, 6 lakes, and more than a dozen recreation areas within a 50-mile radius, the choices are boundless.  Bike, hike, river raft, kayak, canoe, tube, fish, horseback ride, bird-watch, swim, view fall foliage, camp and even go bat caving.

Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at: www.tpwd.state.tx.us for a full listing of State Parks.

Visit the Lower Colorado River Authority website at: www.lcra.org/community  for information about lakes and recreation areas.

Also of interest:

Cave without a name  near Boerne

James River Bat Cave Preserve  One of the largest bat nurseries in the country, with over four million bats. Located near Mason, Texas.  Call 325-347-5970 or check out www.nature.org for more information

Krause Springs  34 miles west of Austin; 32 springs, one of the nicest swimming holes in the state.  Look on www.texasoutside.com or call 830-693-4181

Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area  Located 11 miles south of Fredericksburg; bat flights at sunset out of old railroad tunnel. Call 830-990-2860 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us for more information

Westcave Preserve  Located between 281 and RR12 off Hamilton Pool Road 830-537-4212


Hill Country Bicycle Works  Day Rides, rental, sales and service in Kerrville and Fredericksburg

Some other great sites that offer extensive information on food, travel, art and music:
www.gotexas.about.com
www.lakesandhills.com
www.texasescapes.com
www.texashighways.com
www.texasoutside.com
www.wildtexas.com 

Wildflowers:
For information on where to find wildflower scenic drives: www.lnstar.com

To purchase Texas Bluebonnets: www.texasbluebonnet.com

Texas Wedding/Event Floral Designer specializing in Texas Wildflowers: www.tanasterrains.com

Horseback Riding:
 www.guadaluperiverranch.com near Boerne

Day Trips: 
Within a short distance there is so much to see and do in the Hill Country.  Antique shops, weekend craft fairs, historical sites, music festivals, wine tastings,  peach and apple festivals, and wild flower drives.  Here are just some of the suggested day trips in our area.  All of these are close enough to drive to, spend the day, and return to Juniper Hills Farm.

• Austin  www.austin360.com  for comprehensive information about all there is to do in the city. 

• For information on the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats visit:  www.batcon.org

• Blanco - Don’t miss Brieger Pottery & Hill Country Lavender on the Square in downtown Blanco across the street from the historical Old Blanco County Courthouse

• Boerne

• Buda

• Comfort

• Fredericksburg

• Johnson City

• Kerrville

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

• LBJ Ranch

• Llano

• Luckenbach  www.luckenbachtexas.com   

• Marble Falls

• Medina

• New Braunfels

• San Antonio: River Walk, Mission Trail, Sea World, Brackenridge Park (340 acres of picnic spots, zoo, golf course, train), botanical gardens

• Sister Creek

• Waring

• Wimberley

Shopping:
Here are some our favorite shopping stops in and around the Hill Country.

Gruene:
Don’t miss Old Gruene Market Days  830-832-1721 There is usually an assortment of unique vendors and live entertainment in addition to the standby shops and dining.

Wimberley:
Blue Willow 14008 RR 12 512-847-0001
Kiss the Cook Kitchen Essentials 201 Wimberley Square 512-847-1553
Rancho Deluxe 14010 RR 12 512-847-9570
The Wild West Store  Off the Square Old Towne Plaza Ranch Road 12
512-847-1219
Koolboots  Very cool cowboy boots, hats, jackets, Western collectables.
Wimberley Glass Works 111 West Spoke Hill 800-929-6686
Una Tierra Distante 110 Old Kyle Rd 512-847-6544
Pottery, Folk Art, sinks and basins, old doors and more
River House 104 Wimberley Square Stationery, furniture, iron work, dish and glassware
512-847-7009

Fredericksburg:
Homestead  230 E Main
Villa Texas  234 W Main 830-997-1068

Blanco:
Blanco Settlement - Check out their cute little gift shop 1705 Ranch Road 165, 830-833-5115
Brieger Pottery and Hill Country Lavender - On the Square, across the street from the beautiful, Historical Old Blanco Courthouse

Dripping Springs:
Cowgirls and Lace Le Ragge Ruggs - Trail Head Market Hwy 290 W 512-858-4186
An amazing selection of designer fabrics and unique gifts and accessories

Bandera:
Backroads Books 830-796-7748

Johnson City:
Debra Goldstein Fine Art  111 N. Nugent Street 830- 868- 0221