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Willow City Loop, Hill Country, Texas
Photo: Earl Mcgehee · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Texas Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country

Willow City Loop

Willow City Loop · Willow City → TX-16

Sweeping12.6 mi35 min500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,800 ftOne way
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The drive

The Willow City Loop is a narrow, paved county road of about 13 miles through private ranch land north of Fredericksburg, and in spring it draws big crowds for its wildflowers. From Fredericksburg it's reached by heading north on Highway 16 to Willow City, then east on RM 1323 for a couple of miles to the turn.

From there the loop winds north through a valley and over a granite ridge, crossing low-water crossings and cattle guards, before coming back out on Highway 16. Between late March and early May the fields fill with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and Indian blanket, and on April weekends the road fills with cars. Fences run close on both sides, and the land beyond them is all private.

Along the way

  1. Willow City (RM 1323)
  2. Willow City Loop
  3. TX-16
Elevation
500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,800 ft
Willow CityTX-16
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Willow CityTX-16
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • All the land along the loop is private: don't park on the shoulders, climb fences or walk into the fields.
  • Residents ask visitors to keep moving so they can reach their driveways; no-parking signs are enforced.
  • Weekends in bluebonnet season are very busy; a weekday is calmer.
  • Watch for livestock and cattle guards, and never drive into a flooded low-water crossing.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TxDOT DriveTexas: road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Willow City Loop take?

The Willow City Loop from Willow City to Highway 16 is 12.6 miles and takes about 35 minutes, longer in wildflower season.

When is the best time to drive the Willow City Loop?

Wildflowers on the Willow City Loop peak from late March into early May; weekdays are much quieter than April weekends.

Can you stop or park on the Willow City Loop?

No: the land along the Willow City Loop is private, and parking on the shoulders or walking into the fields isn't allowed.

How do you get to the Willow City Loop from Fredericksburg?

From Fredericksburg, take Highway 16 north to Willow City, then RM 1323 east for about two miles and turn left onto the Willow City Loop.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Willow City Loop, from Willow City to TX-16