Hill Country County Seat
Welcome to Burnet, the Burnet County seat in the Texas Hill Country, framed by Longhorn Cavern, Inks Lake, and the Highland Lakes.
Burnet is the county seat of Burnet County, Texas, situated on the Edwards Plateau in the central Texas Hill Country about 54 miles northwest of Austin. It is a small city of roughly 6,500 residents that serves as the civic and commercial hub for the surrounding Highland Lakes region. The town's origins reach back to the Texas frontier. In 1849, Fort Croghan was established near the site of present-day Burnet as one of a line of posts protecting settlers, and the community grew up around it. The fort remained active until 1852, and today the Fort Croghan Museum preserves that heritage with restored buildings and artifacts. Burnet County was founded in 1852 and organized in 1854, with Burnet as its seat. Burnet's modern identity is tied to its Hill Country setting and its proximity to two distinctive state parks. Longhorn Cavern State Park, with its limestone cavern and guided tours, and Inks Lake State Park, known for camping, hiking, and swimming, both lie nearby. The Highland Lakes — a chain of reservoirs on the Colorado River that includes Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake — frame the region's recreation economy and attract residents and visitors alike. The city is served by Burnet Consolidated ISD and is positioned on US 281, about 100 miles north of San Antonio and roughly 36 miles west of Georgetown and Interstate 35. Its location puts it within commuting range of the Austin metro while keeping it rooted in Hill Country small-town life. Burnet suits residents drawn to lake recreation, state parks, and a quieter rural pace, as well as those seeking acreage or second homes in the Hill Country. Its combination of frontier history, natural attractions, and highway access gives it a distinct place within one of Texas's most scenic regions.
Burnet is in Burnet County, Texas, on the Edwards Plateau in the central Texas Hill Country. It is the county seat of Burnet County and lies about 54 miles northwest of Austin.
Burnet grew up around Fort Croghan, a frontier military outpost established in 1849 to protect settlers. The fort was active until 1852, and the Fort Croghan Museum on the site preserves the town's early history.
Public schools in Burnet are part of Burnet Consolidated Independent School District, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district enrolls roughly 3,200 students across about six campuses and serves much of surrounding Burnet County.
Burnet is close to Longhorn Cavern State Park, known for its guided cave tours, and Inks Lake State Park, which offers camping, hiking, and swimming. The Highland Lakes, including Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake, are central to the area's recreation.
Burnet is about 54 miles northwest of Austin, roughly a 60- to 90-minute drive via US 183 and State Highway 29. It is also about 36 miles west of Georgetown and 100 miles north of San Antonio on US 281.
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