Dripping Springs

Henly is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type of town. Sparsely populated and with as many dirt roads as paved ones, this neighborhood's Texas Hill Country terrain is popular with campers and homeowners looking for rural living with lots of privacy. “There’s a couple of newer constructions, but it’s mostly multiple-acre ranches, some of which were built in the early 1900s,” says Ashley Tullis, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and proud native of the Hill Country. The long history of Henly is closely tied to that of its neighboring cities: Dripping Springs and Johnson City, where most folks head into town for everyday needs. But when they’re ready to retreat into the countryside, they’ll have plenty of room to relax. Adding to this area's appeal are outstanding schools and some local businesses that tend toward the distinct and boutique. Homes across Henly come in a variety of sizes and price points, but what they all share is a sense of seclusion. Houses are situated off rural country roads, with long dirt paths for driveways that place them far behind dense growths of trees. Lots start at just under 10 acres and can have as much as 30, meaning homeowners get plenty of room to spread out and use the land as they see fit. Some build custom homes from scratch, while others opt for established builds that start at $400,000 for a modest four-bedroom ranch-style house. The median price for the area is $1.1 million and can climb as high as $3.4 million for a hillside getaway with a rustic farmhouse feel. Families can send their kids to schools in the Dripping Springs Independent School District, which is ranked by Niche as the No. 2 best school district in the Austin area. Kids start at Walnut Springs Elementary and move up to Dripping Springs Middle, which each earn an A rating according to Niche. Dripping Springs High scores an A-plus and boasts an extensive course catalog, with elective pathways that include specialized fields such as veterinary medicine, welding and floral design. With its rugged Hill Country scenery and distance from the city, perfect for stargazers or anyone seeking some peace and quiet, Henly is a popular destination for lovers of the great outdoors. Campsites, RV parks and cabins are scattered across the countryside, not to mention the ever-popular wedding venues. But there’s plenty for locals of the area too, especially at Pedernales Falls State Park. Just north of the neighborhood is a sprawling 5,212-acre nature preserve along the Pedernales River. Miles of winding trails for hiking and horseback riding take parkgoers along the smooth limestone formations for swimming and sightseeing by the water, with rushing falls and hilltop outlooks. The park hosts daily events, from educational sessions to fishing trips with the park rangers. Henly has few businesses, and that’s just the way folks like it. Residents here appreciate the wide-open spaces and the accompanying quiet. “People come into Dripping Springs for their everyday needs, but also for the festivals and activities there, too,” Tullis says. An 8-mile drive along US Highway 290 takes folks right to the nearest grocery store at H-E-B. It’s located in a shopping center home to multiple other specialty services, retailers and local restaurants like Hill Country Ranch Pizzeria and Thunder Cloud Subs. Nearby Dripping Springs is also home to attractions like Dreamland, a quirky entertainment venue with mini-golf, pickleball leagues and weekly live music and movies. For a taste of Texas Hill Country vodka, try Dripping Springs Distilling’s small-batch spirits, or visit Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company for a tour of its scenic orchards. Johnson City lies 17 miles to the northwest and is an attraction all on its own, known for being the hometown of 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson. The weekly art walk on Sunday evenings is worth the 20-minute trek, as is the dense cluster of breweries and wineries tucked behind quaint old storefronts. With US Highway 290 bordering Henly to the south, residents can make the 30-mile drive into Austin in 50 minutes. Or they can take a drip down south to San Antonio, just 66 miles or 1 hour and 10 minutes away.