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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Blanco & Wimberley, Texas
Hill Country Lavender's free Blanco fields bloom in June, close to spring-fed Blanco State Park, Wimberley's Blue Hole and Gruene on the Guadalupe.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
🪻 In season now
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Blanco and Wimberley sit in the limestone hills between Austin and San Antonio, where spring-fed rivers, swimming holes and old German towns draw weekend visitors. Hill Country Lavender, which calls itself Texas' first lavender farm, grows Sensational and Phenomenal lavender in two fields in a small valley outside Blanco. In 2026 it was free to visit with no reservation Thursday through Saturday from mid-April to late November, and its shop sells culinary lavender, lavender sugar and tea.
Rough Creek Lavender near Wimberley is not open to visitors yet. Its barn is being renovated for future visits, and its hand-bottled lotions and oils are sold at The Old Mill Store in Wimberley. June is the month for lavender. Blue Hole's swim season runs May through September, and Wimberley's Market Day takes over the first Saturday of each month from March to December.
The lavender farms
- Hill Country LavenderLavender farm · Blanco
Late May or early June through early July, peaking in June
Free, no reservation: Thursday–Saturday 10–4, April 16–November 28, 2026. Self-guided field walks; cut-your-own only when the harvest is abundant.
- Rough Creek LavenderLavender farm · Wimberley
Not yet open to the public; the barn is being readied to open, with updates promised on their website.
Best time to visit
Central Texas lavender normally blooms in June, so plan the farm for early summer. In 2026 Hill Country Lavender was open Thursday through Saturday from April 16 to November 28, Saturdays only in August, and closed on July 4 and Thanksgiving. Summer heat can cut the season short: Rough Creek Lavender reported its fields were not blooming because of extreme heat. Blue Hole's swim season runs from May 1 to the last weekend of September, and the next season opens May 1, 2027. From October 15, cars are barred from Blue Hole, but walkers are welcome. Wimberley's Market Day is the first Saturday of each month from March through December (November 7 in 2026). Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for the 6-mile Wolf Mountain Trail at Pedernales Falls and the 13 miles of trails at Guadalupe River State Park. The Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm keeps 9 a.m.–3 p.m. hours from June to September and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. from October to May.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Blanco State Park🌳 State park · Blanco · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
The park follows a one-mile stretch of the spring-fed Blanco River, where you can swim anywhere along the river or wade in the shallow pool by Falls Dam. The Civilian Conservation Corps built its stone dams, river stairs and picnic pavilion in 1933–34.
Open daily; reserve day passes before you go
$5 adults per day; 12 and under free
- Pedernales Falls State Park🌳 State park · Johnson City · about 25 mi, 35 min drive
The Pedernales River drops over layered limestone steps, seen from an overlook on the half-mile Twin Falls Nature Trail. Swimming and wading are not allowed at the falls, and the river can rise to a torrent in minutes.
Open daily; gates closed 10 p.m.–8 a.m.; often reaches capacity, so reserve
$6 per day ages 13 and up; 12 and under free
- Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Stonewall · about 30 mi, 35 min drive
At the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, rangers in period dress raise crops, tend animals and cook as families did around World War I. Bison and longhorns graze by the Pedernales River, and the visitor center gives out free permits for the LBJ Ranch driving tour.
Living history farm 10 a.m.–4 p.m. October–May, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. June–September; closed last Tuesday of each month
free
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park🏛️ Historic site · Johnson City · about 14 mi, 20 min drive
In Johnson City, tours of Lyndon Johnson's boyhood home leave the visitor center at 10:30, 11:30 and 1:30 daily. The Texas White House at the LBJ Ranch is under restoration.
- Guadalupe River State Park🌳 State park · Spring Branch · about 25 mi, 40 min drive
About four miles of Guadalupe River frontage for swimming, tubing and canoeing, plus 13 miles of hike-and-bike trails. Guided hikes into Honey Creek State Natural Area run Saturday mornings and need registration.
Gate open 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; day-use reservations recommended
$7 adults per day; 12 and under free
- Blue Hole Regional Park🏞️ Park · Wimberley · about 28 mi, 40 min drive
Wimberley's city park around a cypress-shaded swimming hole, with hiking trails, a playscape and a pavilion. Book swim times online in season.
Swimming May 1 to the last weekend of September (next season May 1, 2027); no vehicles from October 15, but walkers welcome
- Wimberley🏘️ Town · Wimberley · about 26 mi, 40 min drive
On Market Day, the Wimberley Lions Club fills 20 oak-shaded acres on FM 2325 with about 490 booths, rain or shine, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
First Saturday of each month, March–December (November 7, 2026)
- Gruene Historic District🏛️ Historic site · New Braunfels · about 45 mi, 60 min drive
A walkable 15-acre National Historic District on the Guadalupe River, with locally owned shops, restaurants and free live music every day on several stages.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- The Gruene HomesteadInn or B&B · New Braunfels
Rooms, suites and cottages in eight historic buildings less than a mile from the Gruene Historic District.
- Naegelin's BakeryBakery · New Braunfels
A bakery on South Seguin Avenue in New Braunfels that dates itself to 1868, known for custom cakes and frosted cookies.
- Becker VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Stonewall
A Fredericksburg-area winery making wine since 1992, with walk-ins welcome at its estate tasting room and lavender goods in its shop.
- Grins RestaurantRestaurant · San Marcos
A locally owned San Marcos restaurant since 1975, serving burgers and chicken fried steak on a tree-shaded deck, open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHill Country Lavender
Walk the two lavender fields and browse the farm shop (Thursday–Saturday in season; no reservation). Allow 45 minutes.
- 10:55 AMBlanco State Park · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes into Blanco. Walk the river path past the 1930s stone dams; in summer, wade below Falls Dam. Reserve a day pass ahead. Allow 45 minutes.
- 12:20 PMBlue Hole Regional Park · about 40 min drive
About 40 minutes east to Wimberley. Walk the trails, or swim in season with a booked time. Allow 45 minutes.
- 1:30 PMGrins Restaurant · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes to San Marcos for a late lunch on the deck. Allow 1 hour.
- 2:55 PMGruene Historic District · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes south on I-35. Browse the shops and catch free live music. Allow 1.5 hours.
- 4:35 PMNaegelin's Bakery · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes into downtown New Braunfels to pick up cookies or pastries; check hours before you go.
- 5:15 PMThe Gruene Homestead · about 10 min drive
Check in near Gruene for the night.
Tips
- Reserve Texas state park day passes before you go. Blanco requires them, and Pedernales Falls and Guadalupe River often reach capacity.
- Some GPS systems still show Hill Country Lavender's old address; use 8241 FM 165, Blanco.
- At Pedernales Falls, leave the river at once if the water rises or turns muddy. The swimming area is a steep 1/4-mile hike with rock stairs and no handrail.
- On Market Day (first Saturday, March–December), park in the Lions Club lots on FM 2325; parking income goes to Lions Club grants.
- Becker Vineyards' tasting rooms take walk-ins. Plan a designated driver if you add a tasting to the day.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom near Blanco and Wimberley?
Central Texas lavender normally blooms in June. Summer heat can end the bloom early, so check the farm's website before you drive out.
Is Hill Country Lavender free to visit?
Yes. The farm is free to enter and needs no reservation. In 2026 it was open Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., April 16 to November 28.
Can I visit Rough Creek Lavender?
Not yet. Its barn is being renovated for future visitors. Its products are sold at The Old Mill Store in Wimberley.
Can you swim at Pedernales Falls?
Not at the falls themselves. Swimming is allowed in a separate area reached by a strenuous 1/4-mile hike, and you should leave the river if the water rises.
When is Wimberley Market Day?
The first Saturday of each month from March through December, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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