From May to September, the only sensible place to be outside in San Marcos is in the river. Then October arrives, the heat lets up and the Hill Country opens. If you live in San Marcos apartments near Texas State, three good day trips are close. This guide is from The Timbers.
Where can students in San Marcos apartments go for a fall day trip?
West into the hills, south to an old dance-hall town or five minutes away to a trail. San Marcos sits right where the flat land meets the Hill Country, so a short drive changes the scenery completely.
The Timbers and The Townhomes at The Timbers are at 900 Peques Street. Pick a Saturday without a home game, fill a car and split the gas.
Trip one: Wimberley
Wimberley is a small town in the hills northwest of San Marcos. The drive there on Ranch Road 12 is half the reason to go: curves, limestone and long views.
The town square has shops, galleries, pie and coffee. Walk around for an hour. On the first Saturday of the month for much of the year, Wimberley Market Days fills a wooded lot with hundreds of booths. Check the dates.
Blue Hole Regional Park is nearby, with trails under big cypress trees along a creek. The swimming area is seasonal and needs a reservation. The trails are open more of the year. Check the park’s site.
Eat lunch in town and take the long way home.
Trip two: Gruene
Gruene, pronounced “green,” is a historic district on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, south of San Marcos. It’s a few blocks of old buildings, shops and restaurants under a water tower.
The centerpiece is Gruene Hall, which calls itself the oldest dance hall in Texas. There’s live music many afternoons, often with no cover during the day. Check the calendar.
Walk down to the river. Browse the general store. It’s touristy, and it’s still a good afternoon. This is the one I’d bring parents to.
Trip three: what if you don’t have a car?
Stay in town. San Marcos has natural areas with real trails a short ride from campus.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area is the big one, with miles of trail through limestone hills, juniper and oak. Spring Lake Natural Area sits above the headwaters of the river, with trails and views.
Go early in the day. Bring more water than you think you need. It’s cooler now, and it’s still Texas. Wear closed shoes and watch where you step. Download a trail map first, since the paths branch a lot.
These are good for a two-hour break in a study weekend.
What should you bring?
Water, sunscreen and a hat. A full tank and a charged phone. Cash for small shops and markets. Shoes you can walk in.
Check the weather. Fall storms in the Hill Country can flood low-water crossings fast. If a road has water over it, turn around. That’s a rule here, and it’s not a suggestion.
How do you fit this around school?
Use it as the reward. October is midterm season. Put one trip on the calendar for the Saturday after your hardest exam.
The in-town trails work any week. An hour outside before a long study session is a good trade.
Who should you go with?
Your roommates, first. A day out of the apartment together is good for a group that only sees each other in the kitchen. Then anyone new. “Want to go to Wimberley Saturday?” is an easy invitation.
If your family is visiting, any of these trips beats another restaurant near campus.
When’s the best time?
Late October through November. Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. The clocks fall back the next morning, Sunday, November 1, so afternoon trips need an earlier start after that.
Fall color in Central Texas is modest and comes late. The cypress trees along the creeks turn rust-orange in November. That’s when Blue Hole is at its prettiest.
For more about the area around The Timbers, see the neighborhood page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What towns are close to San Marcos for a day trip?
Wimberley and the Gruene Historic District in New Braunfels are both short drives.
Are there hiking trails in San Marcos?
Yes. Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Spring Lake Natural Area both have trail systems.
Where is The Timbers?
The Timbers is at 900 Peques Street, San Marcos, TX 78666.
Key Takeaways
- Fall is day-trip season for students in San Marcos apartments.
- Wimberley has a walkable square and creekside trails.
- Gruene has live music and river views.
- Without a car, hike Purgatory Creek or Spring Lake early in the day.