Attractions
Located in the Heart of Texas and known as the "Gateway to the Texas Hill Country", Lampasas is about 30 minutes from Fort Hood, and about an hour out of the state capital, Austin. The small city of Lampasas (about 7000 people) is replete with Southwest charm, from its limestone buildings and narrow alleys to its historic courthouse and square. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the city was a booming resort town known as the “Saratoga of the South,” and people came from far and wide to “take the waters.”
The Courtyard Square in Downtown Lampasas is anchored by the historic refurbished Lampasas County Courthouse. The Courthouse and area surrounding it are a Nationally Registered Historic District.
Downtown Lampasas is a one block walk from Campbell Park and Cooper Springs Park which have the actual Hanna Springs, many Art in the Park exhibits, Cooper Springs Nature Trail and the modern Hanna Springs Swimming Pool.
Come visit and discover what relaxing in Downtown Lampasas and the Courtyard Square really feels like! We are looking forward to meeting and visiting with you!
Hancock Springs Free Flow Pool- the Oldest in the State!
No summertime visit to Lampasas is complete without a dip in the enormously refreshing spring-fed free-flow Hancock Pool (1600 S. Hwy 281, Lampasas, TX 76550; 512-556-4048). Open in the afternoon and early evening, Thursday through Sunday, in the summer only. Hancock Springs is said to be 72 degrees all year round and dates to 1911. The sulfur springs in Lampasas, touted for their healing properties, were the main attraction for visitors to Lampasas in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and Hancock Pool is the only sulfur springs pool still open to the public. The springs are now part of a 109-acre park. Moonlight Swims take place on designated evenings in June, July, and August. Everyone attending is invited to bring food for the potluck supper. Live music is played and everyone wears glow-in-the-dark necklaces- a true FAMILY event! The pool drains into a nearby creek that runs through the park.
Located at 501 E. North Ave., Lampasas, TX 76550. The swimming pool allows youngsters and adults a modern facility in which to spend those hot, summer days. The 7,000 plus square-foot swimming pool is but a part of the complex. A 2,300 square-foot bath house contain showers, men's and women's restrooms and dressing areas, office spaces, storage space, and a concession area. With a large friendly aquatic staff, Hanna Springs Pool is a good place for individuals and families to have a great time.
Funds for the pool were made possible by a $500,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission grant, coupled with a matching $250,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority. Those funds were added to the city's contribution and in-kind donations to give Lampasas a first-class facility in which to beat the heat.
Named for the natural spring on the property, Cooper Spring Nature Park is a series of trails on approximately 25-acres dedicated to the preservation and encouragement of wildlife. Volunteers have cleared invasive plants and sowed native varieties to create a space welcoming to birds and butterflies as well as humans. Free of charge, this park is a labor of love that offers a beautiful slice of unspoiled nature in downtown Lampasas. Located on Hackberry Street between Ave. A and 2nd Street.
Located along 6 miles of Colorado River frontage, 5,328-acre Colorado Bend State Park boasts a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including: primitive camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and wildlife observation. Hikers and backpackers enjoy the park's 25.5 miles of trails, most of which are open to mountain bikers as well. One of the park's gems is 60-foot high Gorman Falls, now accessible to the public for day use activities via a 3-mile round trip hike. Approximately 150 wild caves are located on the park property, some of which are accessible via guided tour. Colorado Bend State Park is located approximately 25 miles outside of Lampasas.
Campbell Park & Hanna Springs Sculpture Garden
Hanna Springs Sculpture Garden is located in Campbell Park. LAFTA (Lampasas Association for the Arts) issues an annual call for sculpture (3 to 5 pieces) for annual exhibit. Sculptors who have participated in our annual exhibits have included: Tim Glover's "Whirlwind" and "2 Leaves Standing", Rolando Saenz's "Horse", Delbert Beckham's "Habitat", Joe Barrington's " The Elusive Red Heron", Jeff Turner's "Struggle And Embrace" , Terry Jone's "What's for Breakfast", and Reven M. Sawnson's "Aspen's and Moon". Take a stroll through Hanna Springs Art Garden. Great photo opportunities abound- you’ll be dazzled and inspired! The garden was inspired by local artist Nancy Gray. It is family and pet friendly and free to the public. So drop by and see what new things may have happened since the last time you were here.
Lampasas, the Home of the Murals! Scattered throughout the Downtown Historic District and surrounding area, you will find 9 one of a kind murals depicting the rich heritage that makes up Lampasas County. Vision Lampasas is a group of volunteers dedicated to the enhanced aesthetic, social, cultural, and economic welfare of the Historic Downtown District and surrounding areas.
Head over to the Lampasas County Museum (303 S. Western; 512-556-2224) for a look at objects related to Lampasas County history. The museum was founded in 1976, but moved to this site, a former plumbing and sheet metal shop, in 1982. The floorboards are original – they were turned over to hide the oil stains. Here you’ll find a mural and diorama of a regional landscape and a model of the Park Hotel (1883-1895) at Hancock Springs, as well as other antiques collected by area residents, past and present, loosely telling the story of daily life in early Lampasas. Volunteers can tell you some Lampasas stories, and this is a good place to purchase books related to the history of the city and county. The museum is free of charge (donations are welcome) and is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment only.
Wineries
Scattered throughout the Hill Country and all within a brief and breathtaking drive of Lampasas lies some 70 spectacular and visually stunning wineries. Each of these wineries have their own personality, style of making wine, and a passion for what they do.
Shopping & Dining
Lampasas now has every kind of shop one could fancy-from boutiques to cool funky resale shops. There are galleries, jewelry, antiques, home decor, vintage items, clothing, accessories, gifts and so much more! And then there's the cuisine- we have great downtown restaurants! From Tex-Mex to German, don’t miss the hometown feel of our historic downtown!
The Riverwalk of Lampasas! Families will enjoy spending time along the river, where children can play on the playground, travel the pedestrian suspension bridge, fish the river and watch productions at the river-side Ruth Akin Outdoor Theater.
For golfers, the park’s 18-hole golf course spans 140 acres along the park. Established in 1945 as a nine hole course and expanded to an 18 hole golf course in 1996, the course has beautiful native trees, and Sulphur creek winds through holes 11 of the 18. Measuring just 6,000 yards from the championship tees and par 72, the golf course is short but challenging. Hancock Park Golf Course is a municipal golf course which has a fully stocked pro shop. For more information about Hancock Park Golf Course, call 556-3202.
This 173-acre park was opened in early 2011, and is located off Farm-to-Market Road 580 West. This sports complex is large enough to accommodate large crowds of spectators and hosts many events to include youth baseball, youth softball, adult softball, and youth soccer. The city has a twenty-five year plan for the sports complex which means that it will continue to grow, develop, and offer more opportunities for Lampasas residents and visitors.
The Sports Complex Features:
- (2) Regulation size soccer fields • Restroom facility
- (2) Regulation size softball fields • Playground
- 300 parking spaces • 30 acres of dedicated open space land
- An open-air basketball court • 3 acres of wetland with viewing platform
- Concession Stand • 900 feet of walking trail
- Wildlife viewing
10 acre park consisting of five (5) soccer fields and a multi-use facility.
11 acre tree filled park with 4 softball/baseball fields, playground equipment, restrooms, concession stand, and picnic area.