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
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Debbie A
102 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
We were done with wine tastings in Fredericksburg and decided to make the short drive to this state park and historic site. When you enter the park, there is a visitor center with free parking. Although they are not showing the introductory films about the park and LBJ because of the coronavirus shutdown, there are rangers at the Visitor Center who will explain the two parts of the park to you.
We chose to do the self-guided driving tour of the LBJ Ranch. This takes you to the one room school building he went to as a child (and where he signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act when President), his reconstructed boyhood home (which later served as a guesthouse for friends and dignitaries visiting him when he was on the ranch); and the family cemetery where he and Lady Bird Johnson are buried.
As you drive from place to place along the ranch you see cattle, herds of deer and longhorn steer, among other animals, because this ranch is still a working farm. It was fun to be stopped as cattle and deer crossed the road.
His home (the “Texas White House”) is still there, but, unfortunately,it is currently closed to tours because they are making structural repairs to it. The ranger told us repairs are estimated to take 3 to 8 years, and they are currently in year 2, I think. You can still walk around the house to take pictures of it, so make sure to see to stepping stones that LBJ asked his famous guests to sign when they visited.
Air Force One was too big and too heavy to land at the Ranch, so Johnson had a smaller plane that he would take to his Ranch after getting off Air Force One. He dubbed this smaller commuter plane Air Force 1/2. It is located in a hangar not far from the house.
Even though all of the buildings were closed because of the shutdown, it was still nice to get out of the car and look at each one and read the adjacent placards. We learned things and enjoyed picturing how LBJ and Lady Bird lived while they were on the farm. You can easily do this drive in an hour, but spend longer and linger over the history and beauty of the place.
We chose to do the self-guided driving tour of the LBJ Ranch. This takes you to the one room school building he went to as a child (and where he signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act when President), his reconstructed boyhood home (which later served as a guesthouse for friends and dignitaries visiting him when he was on the ranch); and the family cemetery where he and Lady Bird Johnson are buried.
As you drive from place to place along the ranch you see cattle, herds of deer and longhorn steer, among other animals, because this ranch is still a working farm. It was fun to be stopped as cattle and deer crossed the road.
His home (the “Texas White House”) is still there, but, unfortunately,it is currently closed to tours because they are making structural repairs to it. The ranger told us repairs are estimated to take 3 to 8 years, and they are currently in year 2, I think. You can still walk around the house to take pictures of it, so make sure to see to stepping stones that LBJ asked his famous guests to sign when they visited.
Air Force One was too big and too heavy to land at the Ranch, so Johnson had a smaller plane that he would take to his Ranch after getting off Air Force One. He dubbed this smaller commuter plane Air Force 1/2. It is located in a hangar not far from the house.
Even though all of the buildings were closed because of the shutdown, it was still nice to get out of the car and look at each one and read the adjacent placards. We learned things and enjoyed picturing how LBJ and Lady Bird lived while they were on the farm. You can easily do this drive in an hour, but spend longer and linger over the history and beauty of the place.
Written July 6, 2020
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, MO1,723 contributions
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.
Sharples
Hilton Head, South Carolina426 contributions
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.
west73
Atlanta167 contributions
Mar 2022
Touring the ranch of Lyndon B Johnson was fascinating. The first stop is the Visitor’s Center where we had to register our car prior to driving on the property. We also saw a film there of his life in his own words. Next we drove around the property, which is still a working ranch. The property is very large and has pretty scenery. It was enjoyable to drive ourselves because we could stop and see the building where he went to school, the car museum housing his collection of cars, and outside the museum was Air Force One and a half. It was a mallee version of Air Force One he used going to the ranch because the airstrip could not accommodate anything larger. We also walked all around the outside of his home because the inside is currently closed for renovations. We spent an enjoyable 3 hours there and there is no charge.
Written May 10, 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.
vaughanm1976
Amarillo, TX699 contributions
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.
llassocs
Houston, TX181 contributions
May 2021
As it turns out, the only concrete connection, late president Lyndon John had to what is now LBJ State Park, was that it is across the Pedernales River from the land owned by the Johnson family. JBJ National Park is accessible by a bridge across the river. The state park is by far the more interesting of the two. The state park land was owned and occupied by the Danz, Brehens, Sauer-Beckmann families; German families that settled the area in the mid to late 1800’s. It is fairly handicapped friendly. At the visitor’s center there is a small LBJ museum and the remains of the Brehens cabin. The Danz cabin is accessible down a dirt trail that is somewhat handicapped accessible. It is not accessible when it is wet as it was the day we were there. The Sauer-Beckmann farm was very interesting and mostly handicapped accessible. It is a working farm with farm animals, a garden, a windmill to draw water, a woodburning kitchen stove and no electricity. The docents that work there actually use the facilities and tend the animal and garden as if they were the residents of the farm, including cook their meals on the wood stove. The docents are great to talk to and have lots of information. Lots of great photo ops in this area. There are longhorn cattle and a buffalo herd on the land, but unless you are able to hike around, you may not see these. You can drive through the length of the park, but it is best experienced if you can walk around. I am not able to do so, but I still very much enjoyed the visit, especially the farm. I recommend this to everyone.
Written May 14, 2021
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.
Jane S
Tulsa, OK77 contributions
Jan 2020
Going out to the ranch and visiting all the sites was quite informative and I learned things I never had known and came away with a deep appreciation of President Johnson and Lady Bird. It was fun to hear the history of the ranch and their home and how the additions were built on. Lots to see and enjoy.
Written February 11, 2020
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, MD1,562 contributions
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.
Brenda M
25 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
My friends and I had no idea there was so much to see and learn beyond the front gate! From the sunny disposition of Ranger Jan when we entered the visitor center to Charles, the volunteer cook in the Living History Farm, the complete experience was the best! This is far from a boring history museum! Jan gave us a run down on where everything was and what little surprises we might see along the way, covering three different locations! We headed out to find Biscuits and Gravy! Two of the most beautiful and huge longhorns. This lead is to the most incredible experience of all... the Living History Farm! Yes, these park rangers work this farm like it was 1900! From outhouse to canning, shearing sheep, milking cows... there was even the most incredible woman spinning the wool from the sheep and making socks!! Visit, take friends, take family... this is a must see!! And what I shared here is only the tip of the iceberg! Enjoy! Thank you to all the Park Rangers!
Written September 18, 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.
pasherry
United States1,153 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
LBJ State Park is south of the Pedernales River and consists of a Visitor Center, Sports complex that has tennis courts, baseball field and swimming pool, historic cabins, Scout center, long horn herd, bison and Sauer-Beckmann living history farm. There is no overnight camping. LBJ did not live on the State Park land but in order to drive on the National Park side to see LBJ’s birth place and Texas Whitehouse (north of Pedernales River) you have to get a driving permit from the State Park visitor center. Take time to explore the State Park as there are walking trails, nice picnic areas, a great gift shop, displays, and of course the wonderful German living history farm. It is a great place to take children. The staff are great and willing to explain everything and give you a map. The State Park is free but be sure to leave a donation.
Written April 3, 2021
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.
I'm going to be in Dallas and Austin in May for vacation. Are there any guided bus tours out of Austin to the LBJ Ranch since I don't dare to drive alone in a foreign country?
Thank you
Written April 1, 2016
I think you may be able to get a tour through your Hotel in Fredericksburg. Check with them when you arrive. It is a beautiful time of the year to visit LBJ Natinal Park!!
Written April 5, 2016
We will be leaving Fredericksburg en route to Austin and want to stop at the LBJ ranch and tour the house. Can anyone give me a reasonable estimate of how long this would take us? We don't want to rush through this but wonder if we could see this ranch and then the LBJ library in the same day, which would require us to only spend 1 night in Austin instead of 2. Thanks.
Written August 20, 2015
Tiffany O
Stonewall, Texas
Hello. My name is Tiffany and I am with LBJ State Park. It usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours to see everything that we have to offer here at the park. So what I would recommend is planning a full LBJ day. Leaving Fredericksburg in the morning and arriving at our park around 9:00 am. You should finish around 10:30 or 11 which would put you on the road to Austin and probably after grabbing a bite have you arriving at the library around 1pm-2pm. This would give you 3 hours at the library. This my best guess according to usual traffic in the area. There is a great diner here in Stonewall which would save you some time vs stopping in Austin. Hope this helps.
Written August 20, 2015
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