This is designed as a road trip from the Dallas area, centered around exploring the many beautiful state parks in Central Texas. Several nights are camping (both for money-saving reasons and because that’s a great way to enjoy state parks), although if camping isn’t your thing you can certainly stay in nearby towns: San Saba, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, and Marble Falls, respectively.
Recommended time of year is spring (Mar-Apr) or fall (Oct-Nov) as summer (May-Sep) would be brutally hot. Winter (Dec-Feb) could be nice although it could also be cold/windy.
Day | Start point | End point | Distance | Drive time | Speed | Leave start point | Time at stop 1 | Time at stop 2 | Time at stop 3 | Arrive end point | Explore end point | Comments/stops | Lodging | Map |
1 | Dallas | Colorado Bend SP | 210 mi | 4.75 hrs | 44 mph | 9:30 AM | 0.5 hrs | 0.5 hrs | 3:15 PM | 4.75 hrs | via Legacy Plaza in Goldthwaite, lunch in Coleman. Lunch at either Tomahawk’s or Dogs ‘n’ Links. Hike Spicewood Springs Trail after arrival in PM. | camping | map | |
2 | Colorado Bend SP | Fredericksburg | 104 mi | 3.25 hrs | 34 mph | 10:00 AM | 0.25 hrs | 1 hr | 2:15 PM | 5.75 hrs | via Willow City Loop, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Dinner at Chase’s Place Cocktails & Kitchen in Fredericksburg. | B&B/hotel | map | |
3 | Fredericksburg | Pedernales Falls SP | 63 mi | 2.25 hrs | 28 mph | 10:00 AM | 0.75 hrs | 0.75 hrs | 2.5 hrs | 4:15 PM | 3.25 hrs | via Old Tunnel SP, Luckenbach, Lyndon B. Johnson SP & NHP. Breakfast at Nurys Restaurant in Fredericksburg, dinner at Ate-o-six Provisions food truck in Johnson City. | camping | map |
4 | Pedernales Falls SP | Inks Lake SP | 117 mi | 3.5 hrs | 33 mph | 9:30 AM | 2 hrs | 1.5 hrs | 1.5 hrs | 6 PM | 2 hrs | via Hamilton Pool, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Marble Falls. Dinner from The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant in Marble Falls. | camping | map |
5 | Inks Lake SP | Dallas | 207 mi | 4.25 hrs | 48 mph | 10:00 AM | 2 hrs | 4:45 PM | via Longhorn Cavern SP. Takes back roads. | map | ||||
total | total | 701 mi | 18 hrs | |||||||||||
average | average | 140.2 mi | 3.6 hrs | 39 mph | 9:54 AM | 5:09 PM | 2.86 hrs |
Total accommodations cost: $210
Total food cost: $150
Total gas/petrol cost: $81
Total cost minus entry fees: ~$450
Obviously, this trip could easily be adapted to start from anywhere in Texas. It would be very doable, with far less driving, if starting in the Austin area.