We missed the loop the first time we wanted to drive it, but when we came again, we found it to be an amazing 13 mile drive where white poppies, blue bonnets, and red flowers bloomed profusely along the side of the roadway as well as in open fields! Visit Willow City: 2023 Travel Guide for Willow City, Texas - Expedia It's still a beautiful journey through open range (you don't find open range very often these days - even in Texas). be an amazing 13 mile drive where white poppies. Fun Drive. Cool drive, but more cactus for us than flowers unfortunately. 94% of travellers recommend this experience. Willow City Loop Is The Most Beautiful Wildflower Trail In Texas Refurbished 1961 Shasta in a retro resort w/ private bathroom & shared pool! Both groups enjoy the slower pace and, due to its low elevations, the route is fun for cyclists of all levels. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Even in January however with not a wildflower in sight, the scenery is very pretty and well worth the drive. Stay at this cabin in Fredericksburg. Check prices in Willow City for tonight, Jul 6 - Jul 7, Check prices in Willow City for tomorrow night, Jul 7 - Jul 8, Check prices in Willow City for this weekend, Jul 7 - Jul 9, Check prices in Willow City for next weekend, Jul 14 - Jul 16, Texas which includes street scenes and night scenes, Hill Country featuring a statue or sculpture, Hill Country showing a ferry, a city and a river or creek, Hill Country featuring a garden and cycling as well as a family, Hill Country showing a river or creek, boating and a city, Hill Country showing a city and a high rise building, If your already planning road trips for next year you should head to the Texas Hill Country for the wildflowers in bloom! It did kill some time and we enjoyed the ride. However, the ideal time to visit Texas to see nature's colorful display is during spring, particularly in April. Willow City Loop is an awe-inspiring, historic 13-mile scenic drive through the picturesque rugged Texas Hill Country landscape. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. West Texas with its arid climate offers an array of unusual desert blooms, including yucca, desert marigold, and cacti species. While you can find these brilliant beauties if you drive down just about any Texas road - back-country or major highway - the absolute best place to view them is in Fredericksburg's very own backyard: the iconic 13-mile, scenic Willow City Loop. Best Time to Visit. Its the further north spot. Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fredericksburg. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There are creeks, small crossings, hills, beautiful trees, cottages, charming fences. Entering from the north the elevation gradually increases. I've heard it is a nightmare during the bluebonnet season, plan accordingly. Love Fredericksburg, Texas.periodIf you roadtrip like I do, don't miss this gem of a Texas town. It's still a beautiful journey through open range (you don't find open range very often these days - even in Texas). Proceed 13.3 miles, turn right on RR1323 - continue 2.79 miles to Willow City, turn left onto Willow City Loop. Couldn't resist! Folks were parked. The Best Hotels Closest to Willow City Loop in Willow City for 2023 One of the nicest scenes we saw was a young woman in a red dress standing for her husband to take a picture of her in a field of white poppies surrounding her!! 4.5 (7 Votes) 2254 S US Highway 87 Willow City Loop A quick and beautiful drive, the Willow City Loop is located north of Fredericksburg, Texas. Stay at this apartment in Fredericksburg. Prepare to be Suprised by the Wild Flowers and The TeXas Hill Country Ranch Scenery in mid April. . My wife and I are thinking about driving out from Austin. Warm weather and enough rain exploded the wildflowers. We saw . So far, it is only in Willow City Loop that my dream has been realized on April 8, 2023! Is there any place to go to the bathroom? Texas cyclists will often claim that this is their favorite bike ride in Texas. 93% of travellers recommend this experience. 5/5. It's a breathtaking sight, especially the first time. While there were tons of areas of these white poppies, we also saw our fill of the beautiful blue bonnets. Oh the heart break and disappointment. However, spring, especially April, is the best time for nature walks in the state. You can take Highway 16 North and turn left onto FM-1323. I am wailing inside. Glamp in a Retro 1961 Shasta w/ WiFi, Private Bathroom, & a Shared Pool! The view is spectacular all along the loop. Beautiful flowers, up close and personal with the bowvine, and very neat to be able to cross through all of the private property and cattle guards. The Texas Hill Country at it's very best. Wildflower Drives Add some color to your spring road trip with these 12 scenic routes By Melissa Gaskill Illustrations by Shaw Nielsen Photo: Jerod Foster A Texas travel bucket list can cover a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. So far, it is only in Willow City Loop that my dream has been realized on April 8, 2023! When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. But one thing appears on them all: spring wildflower drives. How do I get to the Willow City Loop coming from Houston? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A beautiful drive through some gorgeous and unexpectedly rocky stark landscape of Texas. Prickly pear usually has large orange-yellow flowers from April through June. Native live oak, pecan, and mesquite trees . Willow City Loop (Fredericksburg): All You Need to Know. Temperatures stay around 70 degrees, the days are growing longer, and vibrant wildflowers cover the city. Highly recommend. 96% of travellers recommend this experience. Hopefully should be much better in a couple of weeks. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a porch. Is this weekend a good weekend to visit? GREAT place to see the Texas blue bonnets! Trip advisors recommend photographers visit in the early morning and late afternoon for the best light. Exploring The Beauty Of Willow City Loop Map - Caribbean Map Couldn't resist! Trails. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I would recommend this drive to anyone who wants to see what the hill country is all about. During that time, you're able to see the state's flower at its peak, and maybe even stop for some photos with fields covered with them. It is very easy to know when the blooms will be a their peak--do not miss it! Now is the time to plan your trip to a Fredericksburg vineyard or nearby Wildseed Farm, the nations largest working wildflower farm. The Willow City Loop Is The Best Scenic Drive For Wildflowers Near Austin Posted in Austin March 15, 2019 by Elisa Regulski This Picturesque Hill Country Drive Near Austin Is Blooming With Color It's that time of year. 500 Reviews #10 of 89 things to do in Fredericksburg Outdoor Activities, Sights & Landmarks, Scenic Drives Fredericksburg, TX Save Solwyoming Fredericksburg, Texas 49 9 Spring time ! Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The cities of Burnet and Fredericksburg offer quite impressive bluebonnet trails as well. Visitors can see iconic blooms, including bluebonnets, red poppies, and desert wildflowers if the West part of the state is visited. Just a few blocks from Main St. and all of the good eats. $329. Popular attractions Artisans At Rocky Hill and Good Art Company "Perfect place to stay and get away with your other half! Features and special columns for and about the people of Georgetown, Texas, Copyright 2022 Optimus Media Group, LLC dba GeorgetownView Magazine, Texas Road Trip Jewel: Wildflowers at Willow City Loop, Georgetowns Thriving Arts and Culture Scene, Rescues, Shelters, Fosters All Your Pet Adoption Options. The topography is rolling to somewhat rough with lots of trees and some open pastures. Discover the desert landscape while you're in the area. Willow City Loop is 13 miles of pure beauty, especially from March through May when wildflower season is in full bloom. read more, We missed the loop the first time we wanted to drive it, but when we came again, we found it to be This loop took a lot of time, and didn't improve upon the view I had on my way into town. The Willow City Loop has no exit ramp, frontage road or flyover - not even an HOV lane, whatever that is. Very well-kept roads. Took a drive around the Willow City loop on March 16 to check out if wildflowers are blooming yetoverall not a lot of flowers yet. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. We drove 1,800+ miles to see Texas wildflowers as far as my eyes can see. 97% of travellers recommend this experience. Be Wowed By The Willow City Bicycle Loop. #bluebonnets, The price is $101 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10, The price is $140 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10, The price is $145 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10. We enjoyed the drive very much and could stop from time to time for a brief picture when there was a pull off. Private properties with fields of wildflowers! Thru F'burg on 290 to intersection with Hwy. It changes each year depending on the rain. For the best of views, March to May is the best time to visit if you are hoping to get a look at the wildflowers. Only thing interesting is the limestone they used for the small Sunday houses back in the day. There are some seriously steep grades, great descents and endless rolling hills. #landscapes A beautiful drive through some gorgeous and unexpectedly rocky stark landscape of Texas. Still, a nice day for a drive with the top down and glad we did it. For those non-motorized outings, visitors may park in the Willow City School parking lot before heading out on two wheels or on foot, making sure to exercise caution as the roads do not have shoulders. I just wouldn't waste the time. The Willow City Loop Map is located about 12 miles from Fredericksburg, Texas. Some bluebonnets right along side of the road, but no fields full of blooms yet. Willow City Loop is a 13 mile loop through ranches and farms. GREAT place to see the Texas blue bonnets! It is still scenicfree..and takes about 30 minutes. One of the nicest scenes we saw was a young woman in a red dress standing for her husband to take a picture of her in a field of white poppies surrounding her!! This drive was one of the best things we did on our trip to the hill country. The climbing starts immediately on Crabapple and then when you turn right on Eckert Rd. Go celebrate with some serious German fare and a possible cold one! Rest those weary legs. For a quieter, more relaxed outing, plan a mid-week road trip as the loop can be extremely busy, especially on peak wildflower weekends. Are you sure you aren't mixing up Wildseed Farms with the Willow City Loop? 1961 Shasta Camper - Perfect for Glamping with Private Bathroom & Shared Pool! Although we missed the showy display of Blue Bonnets, the other wildflowers were gorgeous! A great ride for scenery. So far, it is only in Willow City Loop that my dream has been realized on April 8, 2023! See more on Trails. Indian paintbrush and flowering cactus were abundant. The view is spectacular all along the loop. Highly recommend. Popular "Very nice inn/hotel. Picture-perfect poppy sites in the state include Georgetown, where flowers are abundant right in the downtown, and Castroville in Medina county. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Now is the time to plan your trip to a Fredericksburg vineyard or nearby Wildseed Farm, the nation's largest working wildflower farm. We made nearly a 1000 mile drive from GA and it did not disappoint. Maybe we came at the wrong time of the year. So far, it is only in Willow City Loop that my dream has been realized on April 8, 2023! Best Time to See Wildflowers in Texas 2023 - Rove.me Just below that is the Willow City that is 1323 to 1631 back to 290. That was rather off-putting, but I understand that when the wildflowers are in bloom there are zillions of cars moving through this area. Willow City Loop: Best to do in the warmer months - See 494 traveler reviews, 319 candid photos, and great deals for Fredericksburg, TX, at Tripadvisor. No bluebonnets. View all hotels near Willow City Loop on Tripadvisor. We enjoyed the drive very much and could stop from time to time for a brief picture when there was a pull off. Don't miss this gorgeous trail when the Texas Bluebonnets are in bloom. Willow City Loop | Texas Time Travel For decades, wildflowers have been the #1 roadside attraction in Texasthe only place in the world where bluebonnets grow naturally. Where else in Texas are wildflowers particularly abundant? Swimming. I was thinking of going to Enchanted Rock and head south to start the loop am I missing anything not heading north on route 16? Willow City Loop is a 13-mile scenic drive through the lonely and rugged Texas Hill Country landscape. It is a gorgeous 20-mile . We took a drive on 4/23 hoping to see the flowers but there were only tiny patches. 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Finish the loop heading south on RR 1323 back into town. Wildseed Farms on US 290 just east of Fredericksburg has more than 200 acres of wildflower fields awash in seasonal blooms, as well as a gift shop, walking trails, a biergarten, and a winery. 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Willow City Loop is more than the flowers. 22 mi. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. You can see bluebonnet trails in Fredericksburg and Burnett. Well, I usually stop at Harry's on the loop for a couple of beers so it takes me a couple of hours and I have a friend who has a ranch on the loop and I usually visit him so for me it is pretty much a half day or more. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Check availability on hotels close to Willow City Loop Compare 3,046 hotels close to Willow City Loop with room rates, reviews, and availability. Entering from the north the elevation gradually increases. Is this a scenic loop only when the flowers are blooming or is it scenic in winter as well. 34 Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg, Texas - Travel Addicts Every wild flower season the Willow City Loop gets brought up on blogs, travel magazines and other tourism websites as a scenic drive to see wild flowers but I just dont get the hype. Eventually, the owners are gonna put a gate up to keep inconsiderate tourists out. 93% of travellers recommend this experience. Pack those cycling jersey pockets with loads of extra calories and an . We saw lots of yellow and red and some violet flowers all over still, but no blur bonnets in late May. 1 room, 2 travelers Economy Leaving from Going to Departing Returning I only need accommodations for part of my trip Search Visit Willow City Loop Hotels Willow City Travel Guide Top Hotels Close to Willow City Loop Peach Tree Inn & Suites 401 S Washington St, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624 $84 per night Dec 11 - Dec 12 The rough road then drops down through expansive fields dotted with an assortment of old trees. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Texas cyclists will often claim that this is their favorite bike ride in Texas. Entering from the north the elevation gradually increases. The Shed | Luxurious Country Accommodation. There are creeks, small crossings, hills, beautiful trees, cottages, charming fences. Scenic Drive - The Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg, Texas! Learn about the local history of Willow City when you spend time at Willow City Loop. While either terminus provides a great starting point for the trip, the majority of the wildflowers are visible on the northern half of the route. News, events, and general noise related to the great state of Texas! By slas86 " Beautiful drive through the country " I'm sure there are some restaurants in Fredricksburg that are open for to-go orders. Retro resort w/ five renovated 1961 Shastas, WiFi, pool & outdoor fireplace! #texasHillCountry #wildflowers #canonusa (548 reviews) Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Read our. However, Hwy 16 beginning about 13 miles north of Fredericksburg, has an almost continuous band of bluebonnets and some red paintbrushes for many miles toward Llano. DRIVE AND PHOTOGRAPH AT YOUR OWN PACE. Every wild flower season the Willow City Loop gets brought up on blogs, travel magazines and other tourism websites as a scenic drive to see wild I agree with another reviewer, there is not much in Fredericksburg unless you are into wine tasting. There is a north entrance and one from the town. It's still *early* in the season. It was a gorgeous picture, and WE also took a couple of her!! A great ride for scenery. The Willow City Loop By Michael Barr T he Willow City Loop is nothing like the massive, crowded, multi-lane, circular, concrete demolition derby arenas that encircle San Antonio or Houston. We drove 1,800+ miles to see Texas wildflowers as far as my eyes can see. But in the spring the wildflowers put on quite a show! Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms 308 South Washington Street, Fredericksburg, TX. Texas boasts a vast territory and variety of climate types, which results in the great diversity of plants. Although all the ranches are fenced as theyre all private property, there were two enterprising teenagers, a good looking young lady and young man, who were selling t-shirts and stickers that said I did the Willow City Loop. Its the whole loop so you can catch it all going from either direction on 1323. The scenic drive on Willow City Loop . It's a classic 55 mile ride aimed to please and aimed to make you work. Over 2,500 wildflower species are found in the Lone Star State. Few drives outside any little town are close to what this is when the wildflowers are in bloom. In recent years the Willow City Loop has been discovered as one of the best. Although we missed the showy display of Blue Bonnets, the other wildflowers were gorgeous! I've heard it is a nightmare during the bluebonnet season, plan accordingly. " Apr 2023 . A 22-mile paved route through a particularly rugged area of the Hill Country noted for its excellent spring wildflowers. 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The topography is rolling to somewhat rough with lots of trees and some open pastures. Take 16N (Llano Street) out of Fredericksburg. Thru F'burg on 290 to intersection with Hwy. Eventually, the owners are gonna put a gate up to keep inconsiderate tourists out. There are some seriously steep grades, great descents and endless rolling hills. When the signs say "No Parking", don't park! Did they bloom? more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Photographers may also want to stop along the TK Ranch (see map inset), which has a barbed wire fence adorned with upside down cowboy boots, and is one of the most photographed spots in Central Texas. Bluebonnets are in their peak season from mid-March to April, and they are available in abundance in Hill and Washington Counties. Reddit, Inc. 2023. Its the whole loop so you can catch it all going from either direction on 1323. Google maps lists Willow City Loop as the Ranch road that dead ends. Show more, The best location in Texas to spot desert wildflowers is West Texas with its arid climate. Most state highways (16, 29, 281) f Beautiful flowers, up close and personal with the bowvine, and very neat to be able to cross through all of the private property and cattle guards. Probably the best area to see them on our entire trip! The Willow City Loop, Texas Hill Country scenic drive. , and red flowers bloomed profusely along the side o Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. Because flexibility matters. Spring time ! - Review of Willow City Loop - Tripadvisor Are yall open, can cars still drive through? Lupinus texensis or the Texas bluebonnet is the state flower and undoubtedly the most iconic of all spring blooms in North Texas. Willow City Loop is more than the flowers. WILLOW CITY LOOP (Fredericksburg): All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Willow City Loop attraction reviews - Willow City Loop tickets - Willow Willow City Loop 500 Scenic Drives Southold Farm + Cellar 22 Wineries & Vineyards Hill Country Elephant Reserve 45 Nature & Wildlife Areas Enchanted Rock Cave 70 Caverns & Caves 2022 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area 2,354 The drive is a peaceful getaway from the city where there is more of a likelihood of seeing wildlife than people. Most state highways (16, 29, 281) farm to market (1631, 1320, 1323) and country roads have wildflowers along the sides but have no shoulders for vehicles to pull aside on. This drive is filled with the bright colors of Texas Hill Country. It was really authentic and in full bloom thos week. Reviewed on /Date . The wildflowers were not in full bloom, but the animals and landscape were still wonderful. You will Enjoy an unforgettable Trip. We had driven this scenic loop several years ago. Willow City Loop in Fredericksburg TX - Absolute Charm