Pedernales Valley Loop

From the intersection of FM 12 and US 290 in Dripping Springs, go 9.6 miles west on US 290 to FM 3232.  Turn right/north and go 6.4 miles to stop sign at FM 2766, Robinson Rd. Take a right/east, go about 250 feet, then turn left/north onto PR 6026 at park entrance. Park headquarter is 2.5 miles.

This park is located along the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country with the typical Edwards Plateau terrain. Hiking and biking trails meander through much of the park, offering visitors access to habitats that include cypress-lined river and creek banks, juniper-oak woodlands, oak savannas and wooded canyons. Wildlife here is typical of the Texas Hill Country. Heavily wooded areas of pecan, elm, sycamore, walnut and hackberry can be found in the major drainages.  Ever changing wildflowers bloom throughout the park, dominating the meadow areas alongside native grasses.  White-tailed deer, coyotes, rabbits, armadillos, skunks, opossums and raccoons live in the park.  Anglers most commonly catch catfish, bass, sunfish and carp in the Pedernales River.  Over 150 species of birds have been recorded, and about one-third of these are permanent residents. Birds seen throughout the year include ravens, vultures, quail, a variety of doves, herons and owls, roadrunners and wild turkeys, as well as rufous-crowned sparrows and Woodhouse’s scrub-jays. Endangered golden-cheeked warblers nest in the park, arriving in mid-March and leaving by the end of June.  Common nesting, neo-tropic migrants include Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Look for Canyon Wren in the canyon-lined woodlands. Migrant North American sparrows such as Song, Lincoln's, Lark, Harris, White-throated, White-crowned, Vesper and Fox Sparrows and Spotted and Canyon Towhees can be seen at the park's two covered, ADA-accessible bird viewing stations.  Bird blinds are located in a fenced area with a pollinator garden frequented by butterflies between them.

(830) 868-7304
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls
eBird Hotpsot - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L129053

From US 290 and Avenue F in Johnson City, turn south and go 0.1 mile to East Lady Bird Ln. Turn right/west on East Lady Bird Ln. to the visitor center and parking lot on left.

The restored Johnson Settlement is the site of Lyndon B. Johnson's family ranch. A nature trail starting from the visitor center crosses Town Creek, a densely wooded spring-fed waterway that runs through much of Johnson City and encircles the settlement to form a complete loop. Visitors need to remain on the designated trails.  The gardens of blooming wildflowers and shrubs attract swarms of butterflies that include Queen, Monarch, Long-tailed and Fiery Skippers, Gray Hairstreak and Pipevine, Black and Tiger Swallowtails. Black-chinned Hummingbird is also plentiful. Look in the willows, oaks and elms for nesting White-eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The oak savanna along the trail provides excellent habitat for woodpeckers and sparrows.

In addition, the LBJ Ranch, “Texas White House”, is located about 13 miles west of town offering a driving tour along the Pedernales River and ranchland.

(830) 868-7128
www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm

At the intersection of US 281 and US 290 in Johnson City travel west 14.1 miles west to Park Road 52. Turn right/north onto Park Road 52 to park headquarters.

Visitors to this day-use park can enjoy history, picnicking, nature study and fishing along the Pedernales River. View a portion of both bison and the State of Texas Longhorn Herd. The Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead is a living history farm, interpreting life on the farmstead as it was in 1918.

The spring and summer wildflower display, which includes bluebonnets, Indian blanket, Winecups, Beebalm, and Mexican Hat at this park is not to be missed. Resident birds to look for include Eastern Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawks, Wild Turkey, Eastern Phoebe and Belted Kingfisher. Summer nesters include Summer Tanager, Painted Bunting and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. A nature trail east of the visitor complex overlooks a small stream where there is a bird blind. The creek bottom is a good place to look for an assortment of reptiles and amphibians. Habitats varies from mesquite grasslands; woodlands containing a native pecan grove, live oak, post oak, ashe juniper, sugarberry hackberry, yaupon, and sumac; and open water margins along the Pedernales River.

LBJ State Park Headquarters & Sauer-Beckmann Farm (830) 644-2252

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson