Things to Do in Blanco

• Swim and camp at Blanco State Park: Blanco State Park covers 104.6 acres along a one-mile stretch of the Blanco River on the southern edge of the city. The park opened in 1934; CCC Company 854 built Park Road 23, bridges, retaining walls, stone dams, and the current group pavilion during an 11-month period in 1933-34. Today the park offers swimming at the shallow river pool, shoreline fishing (no license required in the park), campsites, screened shelters, hiking trails, and a park store.
• Visit Real Ale Brewing Company: Real Ale Brewing Company was founded in Blanco in 1996 in the basement of a downtown antique store and relocated within Blanco in May 2006 to a larger production facility. The brewery produces around 60,000 U.S. beer barrels per year, with flagship beers including Fireman's #4 Blonde Ale, Rio Blanco Pale Ale, Lost Gold IPA, and Hans Pils. A taproom at the current facility is open to visitors.
• Walk the Old Blanco County Courthouse square: Blanco was originally the county seat of Blanco County until the designation moved to Johnson City in 1890. The historic Old Blanco County Courthouse still stands on the town square and today functions as a visitor center and event venue. The surrounding square includes independent restaurants, shops, and civic buildings within a few walkable blocks.
• Drive the U.S. 281 Hill Country corridor: Blanco sits on U.S. 281, the main north-south Hill Country highway between Austin and San Antonio. From Blanco, it is about 23 miles north on 281 to Johnson City and about 14 miles south to Spring Branch. The 281 corridor passes ranchland, the Blanco River crossing, and several wineries on the route.
• Day-trip to Pedernales Falls State Park: Pedernales Falls State Park is about 18 miles northeast of Blanco via U.S. 281 and FM 2766, covering 5,212 acres along the Pedernales River in northern Blanco County. The park opened in 1971 on the former Circle Bar Ranch and offers swimming, tubing, hiking, and the signature limestone falls along the river.
• Visit the Hill Country wine corridor: Blanco is within driving distance of the U.S. 290 Hill Country wine corridor between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. From Blanco, it is about 25 miles to Johnson City via U.S. 281, and another 30 miles west on 290 to Fredericksburg. Numerous tasting rooms, vineyards, and farm stands operate along the route.

Major Employers in Blanco

• Real Ale Brewing Company (Manufacturing (craft beverage)): An independent brewery founded in Blanco in 1996 and relocated within Blanco in 2006 to its current production facility. Real Ale produces around 60,000 U.S. beer barrels per year and employs brewing, packaging, distribution, and taproom staff in town. Its beers are distributed only within Texas.
• Blanco ISD (Education): Blanco Independent School District operates three campuses in the city — Blanco Elementary, Blanco Middle School, and Blanco High School — serving approximately 1,109 students total. The district is the city's largest single education employer.
• Blanco State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife) (Government / Parks): Blanco State Park is a 104.6-acre state park within the city limits operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Park rangers, maintenance staff, and a park store employ a year-round staff that sustains the park's swimming, camping, and day-use operations.
• City of Blanco (Public administration): Municipal services for the city of Blanco including public works, utilities, parks, and the city administration offices. City operations are centered near the historic courthouse square in downtown Blanco.
• Tourism and hospitality corridor (Hospitality & Tourism): Restaurants, lodging, the brewery taproom, and retail along U.S. 281 and the downtown square serve year-round visitors to Blanco State Park and travelers on the U.S. 281 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. The combination sustains a small but steady tourism-based employment base.

Blanco Schools

Blanco is served by Blanco Independent School District, a rural district enrolling approximately 1,109 students (2026) across three campuses: Blanco Elementary (508 students), Blanco Middle School (251), and Blanco High School (350), home of the Blanco Panthers. All three campuses are within the city. The Texas Education Agency classifies the district as Non-metropolitan Stable, in the Austin ESC Region.

School District: Blanco ISD

Public Schools

• Blanco High School - The district's high school, home of the Blanco Panthers. Enrolls approximately 350 students (2026) as part of Blanco Independent School District, a rural district totaling about 1,109 students across all grades.
• Blanco Middle School - The district's middle school, enrolling approximately 251 students in grades 6-8 as part of Blanco ISD.
• Blanco Elementary School - The district's elementary campus, enrolling approximately 508 students through grade 5 as part of Blanco ISD, the largest single campus in the district.

Frequently Asked Questions