Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Visitors to this day use park can enjoy historical sites, picnicking, fishing, swimming, nature and wildlife viewing. As of May 2014, the park is home to part of the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd. If you plan to swim at the park, read through our swimming safety tips before you come. Be sure to visit the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead, a living history farm, presented as it was in 1918. Interpreters wear period clothing, do the farm and household chores as they were done at that time, and conduct tours for the visitors. Located east of the visitor center, off the nature trail. The abundant wildlife of the Hill Country is highlighted by enclosures containing buffalo, longhorn and white-tailed deer. These animals have played a part in the park's history, and the local wildlife continues to be an important attraction for visitors. The park is famous for its spring wildflower display. The Visitor Center is the focal point of Lyndon B. Johnson State Park. It contains memorabilia from President Johnson's presidency and interactive displays about the land and people that shaped a president. Attached to the Visitor Center is the Behrens Cabin, a two-room dogtrot cabin built by German immigrant H. C. Behrens during the 1870s. The furnishings are typical of such homes in that period. Visitors can further explore the history of these immigrants by viewing the 1860s Danz family log cabin located just west of the Visitor Center. An auditorium in the visitor center complex will accommodate 234 persons for state performances or films. An outdoor amphitheater is used for a variety of programs. A nature trail, including a Hill Country botanical exhibit, winds past wildlife enclosures stocked with bison, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, other native wildlife, and longhorn cattle. Directly across the Pedernales River from the LBJ State Park is the LBJ Ranch, part of LBJ National Historical Park. The Annual LBJ Tree Lighting takes place in mid-December. Educational & Interpretive Programs Tours of the complex, including the Sauer-Beckmann farm with its smokehouse, Victorian style house, garden, and log house lasts approximately an hour; group reservations are accepted. No entrance fee is required, but donation boxes are available. Individuals and families can take the tour on a first-come, first-serve basis.Directly across the Pedernales River from the LBJ State Park is the LBJ Ranch, part of LBJ National Historical Park. Self-guided tours of the Ranch begin at the LBJ State Park Visitor Center. Among the sites on the Ranch are the one-room Junction School first attended by the four-year-old Lyndon B. Johnson in 1912, reconstructed birthplace and nearby Johnson family cemetery where the former President is buried, and the Texas White House. The drive also takes visitors through the pasturelands where Hereford cattle, descended from those owned by President Johnson, can be viewed. Self-guided tours of the LBJ Ranch begin at the LBJ State Park Visitor Center and are available daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, when the national park is closed. For more information & hours of operation, visit the LBJ National Historical Park web site. Check the calendar for upcoming events and programs. Natural Features The abundant wildlife of the Hill Country is highlighted by enclosures containing buffalo (American bison), longhorn and white-tailed deer. These animals have played a part in the park's history, and the local wildlife continues to be an important attraction for visitors. The park is famous for its spring wildflower display.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles454 reviews
Excellent
317
Very good
116
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
2

Joey
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
The gentleman in the trailer seemed to think he was on private property, telling me to “read a map” when looking at bison on the fence line. I didn’t see any signs that said the area behind the restrooms was off limits. Rough day for him. Wouldn’t go back.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EC13091
Ellicott City, MD1,248 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is an excellent state park with informative visitor center. We learned a great deal about LBJ’s ties to the land of his birth, and how it affected his presidency. There’s much to see here, including a working farm, American bison (sadly all but one were hiding today) and the Texas longhorns, who were right by the fence line. You can spend a long time here, but allow at least an hour minimum, more if you go to the working farm (which today was overrun with two bus loads of school children).
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amanda W
Linn, MO1,724 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
So my recommendation here would be to go earlier in the day. Even though the website lists the gate closure times, it doesn’t account for the fact that the working farm area closes earlier than the gates or that there are only demonstrations at certain times of days. We arrived around 3 thinking we had plenty of time and was surprised we missed all of that. We did make it thru the national park before they closed their gates – the exhibit with the plan was interesting to see. Really not much to see at the house right now as they are rehabbing it so it was mostly closed off. Then we went thru and did the state park side – even though the farm was not technically opened you are able to walk thru and look at the animals/buildings. Wildflowers were gorgeous at this time! For a free visit, there’s plenty to do and space for young kids to run off some energy.
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

utfiero
Austin, TX3,703 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
The LBJ state park is a real gem! It features a quaint gift shop with unique Texas-made items, some exhibits, a movie theatre about the park, long horns, buffalo, and a great turn of the century working farm. The farm and farmhouse exhibit really provide a glimpse into frontier life. Every kid in Texas should visit to connect with the heard reality of frontier life, a life still present in so many third world countries.

Admission is free.

Time budget: 2 hours
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

vaughanm1976
Amarillo, TX720 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
I did the Johnson Historical Park in Johnson City then drove the 14State Park and miles to the Johnson State Park and Historic Site. It is actually a portion of the Johnson ranch he left to the state of Texas for preservation. The Texas White House remains closed due to structural issues. Unfortunately they will not let you dry by or walk around the grounds adjacent to the Johnson home. You can see a bit from the park road across the river. The driving tour with audio guide is nice as well as the Hangar Visitor Center. Well worth the time.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James L
Plano, TX4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Although we drove around, to really get the full tour and feel of the park, I would suggest walking along the well-maintained paths. We saw longhorns, bison, old German cabins and living farm. The visitor center was closed but another visitor who had been there before told be the short video in the visitor center is very interesting and should be watched before touring/walking the grounds.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lucsimsthomas
San Antonio, TX290 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
I chose to spend my birthday here with friends. It was a fun and educational few hours. We did the self-guided driving tour before stopping at the visitor center. There we saw a small plane that LBJ used to come home to Texas -- Air Force 1/2 (as LBJ called it), before going into the visitor center to see all of the exhibits on display. One of his daughter's cars also was on display.
After the visitor center, we walked the grounds of the Texas White House (the house is not open for tours right now because of structural issues).
We also visited the family cemetery and toured his reconstructed birthplace home as we continued the driving tour.
The park ranger at the visitor center was very friendly and helpful and answered lots of questions from our group of four.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ForTheInstaGram
Charlotte, NC8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Friends
There is just so much to see in this park and the other Lyndon B Johnson National Park. You could spend all day roaming around with free reign of the place which is what I did.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

4dealchic
Hilton Head, South Carolina383 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Friends
Fabulous as fabulous can be for a presidential library - very well presented. I learned alot about him, his personality, Lady Bird and his presidency. The outside park is nicely done. There is a small gift shop. If I could add anything I would encourage the museum to have school age exhibits as well. If our children can see how it was, why it was, and the thoughts behind the presidents they would understand how thr decades in America have changed. If you grew up in that time the large, blown up pictures will take you back. Everyone is helpful and you get a quick overview before you start.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DianaNamsAllen
Mustang, OK25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
Being history buffs, we were really glad that we chose to go through this. Seeing the ranch, Air Force 1/2 (as he jokingly called it), the living farm, and so much more was a great way to spend the afternoon. Would highly recommend it to anyone in the area.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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