Longhorn Cave Tours:  The cave is 68 degrees year-round. The park offers guided tours that last approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes (a 1.25-mile round trip). For your safety and comfort, low-heeled shoes with rubber soles are recommended. The Visitor Center opens daily at 9 a.m. every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The first tour leaves between 10 and 11 a.m. (call ahead). Tours are conveniently scheduled throughout the day.  For more information on  tours and fees, call (877) 441-CAVE (441-2283) or visit  Longhorn Cave Tours, Inc.

One of the smallest of the Highland Lakes, Inks Lake is three miles long and covers 803 acres. The lake offers excellent year-round fishing.

Rock-A-Way Park Private campground on the west side of the lake at TX29. It has a dock and boat ramp. A large cliff shades the campground from the afternoon sun and it is possible to tie up a boat at the bank. Next door to Catfish Barge, a great cafe. Fee. 254/793-2314.

Inks Lake State Park “Devil’s Hole,” at the northeast corner of the lake where a creek empties into it, is one of the most scenic swimming holes in the state. The creek cascades over stairstep levels to the lake where it empties into a small canyon walled in by pink granite cliffs. Don’t overlook the other coves on the lake with more gentle, sloping, granite banks. West of Burnet off TX29, the park has shelters, camping, showers, restrooms, boat rental, a grocery store (seasonal), a boat ramp, and fishing piers. 512/793-2223. Fee.

The Llano Slab One of the great swimming holes in Central Texas, where the Llano River runs over granite outcroppings at a low-water crossing. The water creates a sandbar island, troughs, deep pools, and wide shallows. No facilities. At the end of FM3404, about 1.5 miles off FM1431 on the western edge of Kingsland.

Robinson Park Llano’s city park is on the riverbank with lots of shade and swimming spots. A low dam crosses the river, making for a great play area. The park also has fishing, a playground, golf course, restrooms, showers, a swimming pool, and 100 RV spots. Use is free if you don’t use electric hookups. Take the road on the north side of the courthouse west to the park. 915/247-4158.