Gillespie County Safety Rest Area near Lyndon B Johnson State Park Campground

Quiet and free, this small rest area off Highway 290 near Stonewall sits directly adjacent to Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and the LBJ National Historic Site. It functions as overnight parking rather than a developed campground, with a 24-hour limit posted on-site and no tents or portable shelters permitted without a permit. That said, it gives RVers and van campers a no-cost base in a part of the Texas Hill Country where RV parks in nearby Fredericksburg run steep.

Amenities are limited but functional. The rest area has flush toilets, covered picnic tables, a playground, and trash service. Cell service is available. Reviewers consistently note the site runs clean and quiet, and its location gives walkers direct access to the living history farm and the Pedernales River without needing to drive. Elizabeth T. notes, "you can walk to the living history farm and the river." The number of spaces is small, so arriving early makes sense.

The surrounding area rewards those willing to explore on foot or by bike. Past visitors have cycled to local wineries and run trails through the LBJ Ranch Historic Site from this spot. The rest area borders both the state park and national historic site, putting two distinct interpretive experiences within reach, one focused on mid-19th century settler life with working livestock including bison and Hereford cattle, the other on the presidency and the Johnson ranch itself. Meierstone Vineyards sits just southeast for campers who want a different overnight setup nearby.