Burnet is deep in the Texas Hill Country, in the Highland Lakes region. The city is easily accessible from all directions, located at the intersection of 281 and 29. Surrounded by sparkling lakes and rugged hills, it’s beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country. Below is a guide for outdoor attractions in the greater city of Burnet. There are many others in the county that are not included in this guide.
Outdoor Attractions in Burnet, TX
1. Canyon of the Eagles
Canyon of the Eagles is a 940-acre nature park and resort with guestrooms, RV, and tent camping featuring an observatory and 16-miles of nature trails for walking, biking, and birding. The private lakefront is ideal for waterfront recreation, and the 8-passenger boat offers 2-hour cruises on Lake Buchanan. Overlook Restaurant serves delicious food with Hill Country views.
2. Haley Nelson Park
Haley-Nelson Park is a 51 acre city park featuring soccer fields, an amphitheater, disk golf, a picnic pavilion, two washer complexes, and walking and hiking trails. In Spring, it’s one of the best places to see bluebonnets.
3. Hamilton Creek Park
Hamilton Creek Park is located in the heart of the City and boasts lighted walk ways on either side of the creek, picnic areas, pavilion, gazebo, children’s play area and fountains along the creek. Parking is accessed from US Highway 281 one block west of Highway 281 on Jackson Street.
4. Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Because the lake’s level usually stays constant, you can play here year-round. On land, you can camp, backpack, geocache, play volleyball, picnic, and observe nature. There are 9 miles of hiking trails through shady forests and across rocky hills. On the water, you can swim (no lifeguards on duty), boat, water ski, scuba dive and fish. Rent paddle boats, canoes, one- to two-person kayaks, life vests and paddles at the park store. Since parks often fill to capacity on weekends, purchasing tickets/day passes online in advance is recommended.
5. Golfing at Delaware Springs
Prepare yourself for an unparalleled golfing experience. With many sets of tees ranging from 4,749 – 6802 yards the course is a pleasure for golfers of any skill level to play. Delaware Springs Golf Course is a Championship style golf course that will challenge you while providing a relaxing, picturesque golfing experience in the Texas Hill Country.
6. Lake Buchanan
Lake Buchanan is the 2nd largest of the Highland Lakes in Central Texas with a length of 30 miles and a width at the widest point of just under 5 miles. Lake Buchanan also has an astounding 124 miles of shoreline. The lake is very popular with boaters, campers, fishermen, and swimmers. Lake Buchanan has a unique feature you won’t find at the other Highland Lakes. There are granite gravel shores along portions of the lake that provide an ideal beach for swimming, wading and sunbathing.
7. Longhorn Cavern State Park
Enjoy a guided cave tour, hike a Hill Country trail, and admire some of Texas’ best examples of historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architecture.
8. Reveille Peak Ranch
A 1,300-acre outdoor event and adventure center just outside of Burnet, Texas, Reveille Peak Ranch provides the beauty and thrill of the natural outdoors. Whether you’re looking for some of the best mountain biking and hiking trails in Texas or need a place to stop the RV for a few nights, Reveille Peak Ranch provides an experience like no other.
9. Spider Mountain Bike Park
Located on the banks of Lake Buchanan just 60 miles northwest of Austin, Spider Mountain is home to Texas’ only lift-served mountain bike park and the only lift-served, year-round mountain bike park in the U.S. It provides mountain bikers with 350 vertical feet of gravity fueled fun! From the top, you have the choice of nine trails ranging from beginner to expert to bring you back to the bottom of the lift. Once you’ve had your fill of gravity-fueled thrills, sample our lake resort amenities just a short walk or spin away at Thunderbird Lodge at Spider Mountain where you’ll find lodging, camping, SUP and boat rentals at our private marina and more.
10. Vanishing Texas River Cruise
Vanishing Texas Cruises is a nature based tourist attraction located in Central Texas on Lake Buchanan and the Colorado River. Cruises offer excellent opportunities for viewing regional and migrating birds including the wintering Bald Eagles, native Texas Wildlife, cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs. Kayak and canoe rentals are offered year-round. Take a paddle just inside Beaver Creek cove to view birds and ducks or paddle out to Garrett Island and enjoy the natural wildlife and a picnic lunch on the beach.
11. Wineries
The Burnet wineries offer amazing views while providing an opportunity to enjoy tasty Texas wine. From the balcony at Wedding Oaks Winery, you can view the downtown Square. Perissos Vineyard & Winery is a family vineyard surrounded by rolling granite hills and is a truly breathtaking and unforgettable place to visit. Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery is located high above the Colorado River Valley overlooking both Inks and Buchanan Lakes. It includes a 6500 sf open patio, cedar railed deck, or the wine barrel bar which allows you to enjoy the view through the 24ft glass door in air conditioned comfort. 7 Creek Vineyard is a unique experience, whether it’s driving through the vineyard to the winery or enjoying wine under 10,000sf of oak trees surrounded by vines.
