Texas has so much history all throughout the state and if you’re looking for some presidential history, the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park is a great place to start. This park is broken up into 2 different sections. The Johnson City District is where the Boyhood Home and Johnson Settlement are located. A few miles down the road is the Ranch District which is home to the Birthplace and the Texas White House. Check out this MAP for a more detailed view of the park.
Johnson City District
When beginning your journey through Lyndon B Johnson’s (LBJ) life, I’d recommend starting in the Johnson City District. The Visitor Center is located here and is always helpful with extra information and the museum inside is full of fun facts for Lyndon and Lady Bird (Johnson’s wife).
Visitor Center
There are 2 areas that you are really going to want to see in this part of the park: Boyhood Home and the Johnson Settlement. You can walk straight out the front door and head to the home or take a left and go down to the settlement. Either way, just go see both!
Boyhood Home
The Boyhood Home is fairly self-explanatory. This is where LBJ lived from the age of 5 all the way until 26 when he and Lady Bird got married. You can walk around the outside of the home on a self-guided tour, but if you want to go inside, you’ll have to go on a guided tour that the Ranger provides. Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday from 10am – 4pm (NO tour at noon). You can find more information on the parks WEBSITE
Johnson Settlement
In order to access the Johnson Settlement, you’ll need to hop on the Settlement Nature Trail. Don’t worry, it’s less than a mile walking and the trail is very well maintained. Once there, you can take a look around the Event Exhibit Center, and then go on to the cabins, barns, and windmill. LBJ’s grandfather had a very successful cattle business on this land which was also home to most of the family. Don’t forget to go by and say “hi” to the longhorn cattle that still call this place home.
Ranch District
Once you’re finished at the Johnson City District, you’ll need to make your way over to the Ranch District. However, in order to drive into this area of the park, you’ll first need to go to the Lyndon B Johnson State & Historic Site to get a permit. The State Park and National Historical Park are right across the creek from each other so it’s not like you have to go out of your way. Get your FREE permit inside the State Park Visitor Center.
Lyndon B Johnson State & Historic Site
If you have time, I would highly encourage you to check out the State Park. There is a Living History Farm here and it’s a wonderful experience for the whole family. While LBJ never lived here, he does have ties to the park. One of the daughters of the family that lived here when LBJ was born was a midwife, and helped with the delivery of our future president.
Birthplace
With permit in hand, you can now make your way over to the Ranch District. This property was very special to Lyndon B Johnson as he was born here, lived here for many years, and died here.
Along this tour, you can explore LBJ’s birthplace, the family cemetery, other family homes, a church, barns, and the many massive trees all throughout the property. To enhance your tour, open your NPS App, search “Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park” and find “self-guided tours.” Choose the LBJ Ranch Driving Tour.
Texas White House
It’s no surprise that the feature on this tour is the Texas White House. Lyndon and Lady Bird spent so much time here before, during and after his presidency. In 2007, after her death, the property was made available for tours. Within the Texas White House Complex, you can see the airplane hangar – this includes LBJ’s Air Force One-Half Plane. Take a look at the Secret Service Post, Johnson’s car collection, walk the grounds, and see the Texas White House, of course. While most of the tour is self-guided, if you’d like to see the inside of the Texas White House you will have to go on a Ranger led tour. Get more information about tours HERE.
Ladybird Johnson
It’s hard to talk about Lyndon B Johnson without also mentioning Lady Bird Johnson. You can see her legacy all throughout the state of Texas just by driving down the road. The First Lady had a love for beautiful wildflowers and if you’d like to end your LBJ journey in the best way, go to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center near Austin.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park, the National Park Service, Lyndon B Johnson State Park & Historic Site, Texas State Parks, or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Comments are closed