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Things To Do in Mason County
Whatever your mood, engaging and beautiful Mason County has plenty of things to do for every visitor. Fall into the easy pace the area is known for and enjoy a glass of locally made award-winning wine. Watch beautiful native bats take flight every night in the summer months from a protected cave. Shop along the Town Square for that just-right gift. Enjoy a leisurely canoe trip down the Llano River. Watch the bluebonnets in full bloom on a country road, an explosion of color you’ll never forget.
Follow a Wildflower Trail
The Hill Country is known for its stunning bluebonnets, an upright azure wildflower with multiple blooms on each plant. Beginning in late March, hit the road around Mason County and see the bluebonnets burst into bloom, followed by other wildflowers showing off technicolor reds, whites, yellows and pinks. The season continues through May. The Mason County Chamber of Commerce offers three different Mason Historic Country Lanes trips, pleasant backroad drives that will leave you inspired by the area’s scenic beauty.
See a Show at the Historic Odeon Theater
Originally built in 1928, the Odeon Theater is the longest continually operating theater in west Texas, and a Mason’s must-see. Its neon marquis is one of the most visible storefronts on the Town Square. Gather friends and family and enjoy a first-run or classic film, live music and dance and other performances. The fully renovated, modern space includes a concession stand to round out your evening.
Prospect for Topaz on a Texas Treasure Hunt
Mason County is rockhound country, a great place to try your luck at topaz hunting. Naturally occurring, the mineral occurs in granite outcroppings and is usually found in streambeds and ravines. The real find is the rare and beautiful blue topaz, the state gem of Texas. Hunt for minerals, rocks and arrowheads at the historic Lindsay Ranch. Tools are provided, or you can bring your own.
Witness the Beauty of the Eckert James River Bat Cave
Get a front row seat to the wonders of nature at the Eckert James River Bat Cave, a preserve for 4 to 6 million Mexican Free-tail bats, one of largest populations of the species in the world. Every evening, between mid-May and October, visitors watch the bats emerge en masse to hunt for insects. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, the cave is a bat nursery, where female bats give birth and raise their young in a protected setting.
Hike, Kayak, or Fish Along the Llano River
The 105-mile Llano River, a tributary of the Colorado, is one of Mason County’s beloved recreational features. At family friendly South Llano River State Park,enjoy swimming, floating, paddling and fishing. You can also geocache, camp, hike or bike along the 22.7-mile trail system. The north bank of the Llano River is serene spot for bank or fly fishing, and is a perfect place to launch a canoe or kayak. Catch largemouth and Guadalupe bass, as well as channel catfish and sunfish. Spend the day kayaking or canoeing on the river with a guide at outfitters like Llano River Region Adventures. You’ll marvel at the breathtakingly gorgeous geological formations and wildlife along the way.
Sip Hill Country Wines
Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the United States, and the Hill Country is rich in quality wines that showcase the area’s terroir. Hit the trail and visit wineries, or kick back and sample their wares in and around the Mason Town Square. Sandstone Cellars Winery features its own wines as well as those of other producers. Pair a glass with an appetizer in this lovely art-filled space. Just off the Town Square in an old feed store is the charming tasting room of the Fly Gap Winery. Nearby are tasting rooms for Murphy Creek Cellars, Robert Clay Vineyards and Parr Vineyards and Winery. Amazingly, this is only part of the Hill Country wineries waiting to be discovered.
