Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site – Texas State Park 21/89
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The Deets
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site is located in Stonewall, TX, and is a short 15-minute jaunt from Fredericksburg, TX. This state park is different from any other we’ve visited so far. The visitor’s center is central in the park and acts as a jumping point for everything else. The park only has 1.2 miles of walking trails and they connect you to areas throughout the park. Things to see include the Sauer-Beckmann living farm, longhorn cattle, the bison herd, historic cabins, and more. They also have an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a reservable baseball field. There is a small museum next to the visitor center with displays about the local area during all eras of history, not just when LBJ was around. The cost of admission is absolutely free for everyone! You can still use your Park Pass to get a 10% discount in the gift shop.
The History
The area has a rich history. Native Americans lived on the land for thousands of years, and traces of their lives have been found, giving us an insight into their nomadic lives. Following their presence were the Spanish, and after them, German immigrants. Many German immigrants took up farming in the area, and you can still see some of their original cabins in the park. All of the homes in the park grounds, including the farm buildings of the Sauer-Beckmann farm, are original and have not been moved. The Sauer-Beckmann farm adds a new layer for the history aspect. Since it is a living farm, you get to actively see how a family operated during the early 1900s.
Jump to 1908, and we have another historical moment. Just across the river, a baby was born. He would grow up to become the 36th President of the United States. Lyndon B. Johnson was born a stone’s throw away from the park in what is now LBJ Ranch. He lived and retired there as well. You can tour the LBJ Ranch as it is now a National Historical Park.
Our Experience
While we thought we’d enjoy the park, we were truly blown away by how wonderful our experience was. Everyone we spoke to, especially at the Sauer-Beckmann farm, was kind and helpful. They were so eager to share their knowledge and we soaked it up like sponges. The park is beautiful and I would love to go back and see it in full bloom. Even though we were exhausted from our four busy days at other parks and in Fredericksburg before coming to Lyndon B. Johnson State Park, we had an exceptional time.
All of the facilities we used were clean and tidy. If you’re a fan of gift shops, this park has the largest one we’ve seen. They also have vending machines on-site with drinks and snacks.
The Trails
As mentioned before, there are only 1.2 miles of trails at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. Although they are few, they are very nice. All of the trails are wide and gravel. A stroller would easily make it throughout the park. The only terrain that is a little rougher is in the farm area. But even with that, I think you could handle a stroller just fine. There are stairs in areas, but from what I remember, all of those areas have a bridge or ramp as well. It is all very easy to access and wanders through beautiful areas.
Our Takeaway
We highly recommend Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. It isn’t too big but packs a punch when it comes to things to see. It’s a great place for a day out with the family as well. All of the kids that we saw in the park were having an incredible time, especially with so many animals to see. You also can’t go wrong with free!
Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park
Being so close by, adding the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park to the day is a no-brainer. We really enjoyed our visit there but hope to come back after Covid. The house, other buildings, and the plane were closed due to Covid, and we’d really like the chance to see those. The gift shop area was open, and I picked up a great bird book (get a copy for yourself here!).
This park is mainly a driving tour. You can pull off the road at each attraction, though, so you still get to have an up-close view if you want one. Sites include the schoolhouse that LBJ briefly attended, his birth home (not the original, but a reconstruction that LBJ made as a guest house), the cemetery where LBJ and his family are buried, the show barn, and of course, the Texas White House. There is so much history to see here and we’re happy we chose to continue our park day into the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park.
Prefer to see these parks in action? Check out our vlog episode for Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site.
Cheers,
Lydia and Billy
