Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - Frequently Asked Questions (U.S. National Park Service)

How far is the park from San Antonio or Austin, Texas?

The park consists of two districts. The Johnson City District is located 50 miles west of Austin and 60 miles north of San Antonio. This is where you will find the National Park Visitor Center and Headquarters, President Johnson's Boyhood Home, and the Johnson Settlement.

Traveling 14 miles west of Johnson City you will find the LBJ Ranch and the LBJ State Park and Historic Site. The State Park manages a Visitor Center where you can board the National Park bus to the LBJ Ranch. more...

When is the park open?
The park is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Visitor Center is open from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Guided tours of the LBJ Boyhood Home are offered 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Self-guided tours of the Johnson Settlement are available from 9:00 a.m. until sunset.

Bus tours of the LBJ Ranch near Stonewall are conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, bus tours will be suspended from August 27-September 30, 2008. Read Touring the Texas White House to find out how to see the Ranch during that time.

Is there a fee?
There is no fee to visit the Johnson City District.
The fee for the National Park Service bus tour of the LBJ Ranch is as follows:
- Ages 62 and older: $3.00
- Ages 18-61: $6.00
- Ages 7-17: $3.00
- Ages 6 and younger: free

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How much time should my family allow for visiting the park?
Depending on what your family would like to see, you could spend anywhere from 20 minutes to nearly a full day exploring the park. For ideas on how to plan your time, check out the Things to Do page.

What type of weather conditions can we expect?
Overall, the park enjoys a sunny, mild climate during three seasons of the year. The rainy month is usually April. Winter temperatures are usually in the 50s; snow and ice are rare. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in July and August, with high humidity.

Where do I make reservations for the tour of the LBJ Ranch?
If you plan on visiting with a group of 15 or more, reservations are accepted by email or phone (830) 868-7128 ext 231.

Travelling in a smaller group? Make your way to the LBJ State Park and Historic Site Visitor Center 14 miles west of Johnson City for tours on a first-come-first-serve basis.

How late can we arrive at the LBJ Ranch and still take a bus tour?
The last bus tour to the LBJ Ranch departs at 4 p.m. each day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It is advisable to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for parking, purchasing tickets, and use of restroom facilities.

How much time should we allow for a bus tour of the Ranch?
Ranch tours are approximately 1½ hours in length.

Will the Ranch tour take us through the Texas White House?
A tour through the Texas White House is not part of the ranch tour at this time. The bus tour will, however, drive past the home and make a brief stop in front to allow visitors off for a photo opportunity.

The President and Mrs. Johnson donated their private home to the National Park Service but retained lifetime rights to use the house. Following the death of Mrs. Johnson on July 11, 2007, preparations have begun to make the home available for public tours. Individual rooms will be opened as they become ready.

President Johnson's office (the west room) will be opened to the public on the 100th anniversary of his birth, August 27, 2008. If you will be visiting the LBJ Ranch on August 27 or afterward, please read Touring the Texas White House.

Can I drive through the Ranch in my own car?
In order to maintain the security of historic buildings and properties, you cannot drive your car along the entire route we use for bus tours. During the day you must be on a ranger-guided bus tour of the Ranch.

From August 27 through September 30, 2008, however, the LBJ Ranch will be opened to private vehicular traffic for the first time. Read Touring the Texas White House to learn how you can drive through the LBJ Ranch.

Is the President's grave here?
President Johnson's grave is located in the Johnson family cemetery on the LBJ Ranch. In order to see the cemetery it is necessary to be on a National Park bus tour during the day.

Can we camp here?
There are no campgrounds located in either LBJ National Historical Park or LBJ State Park and Historic Site. Several private campgrounds are located in Johnson City, Stonewall, and Fredericksburg. Nearby state parks with camping facilities are Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Are pets allowed?
Pets are NOT allowed on LBJ Ranch Tour buses or in park buildings. However, leashed pets are allowed on the Johnson Settlement trail and the walking trails at the LBJ State Park and Historic Site. They must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.

Can I get the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, Senior Pass, or Access Pass at LBJ National Historical Park?
The Senior Pass ($10 for visitors 62 and older), Access Pass (free for disabled visitors), and the Annual Pass ($80) are all used by visitors for admission into National Parks that have entrance fees. LBJ National Historical Park has no entrance fee, and therefore, we do not issue these passes. You can get these passes at any national park site with an entrance fee. It is also possible to purchase the Annual Pass online at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1.

To learn more, visit the Entrance Pass Program web page of nps.gov

When do the Bluebonnets bloom?
Bluebonnets will bloom in March and April as one of our early spring flowers if the weather has delivered rain throughout the previous fall and winter and into the spring. Under the right conditions the bluebonnet display is glorious! Without rain, sparse and scattered. Each spring the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) activates its wildflower hotline (800-452-9292) for those wishing to find out current wildflower conditions.