Living in Spicewood, TX
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

Why You’ll Love Living in Spicewood, TX

Willie chose Spicewood. Who are we to argue?

Spicewood, Texas, is not a city in the traditional sense, and that is part of its charm. It’s an unincorporated community, meaning no city hall or city council is calling the shots. Instead, Spicewood offers something many people move to the Hill Country to find: room to breathe.

The community sits smack dab in the middle of Lake Travis, rolling Hill Country terrain, wineries, swimming holes and plenty of wide-open space. The name dates back to the 19th century, likely inspired by the spicewood timber that grew near Little Cypress Creek.

Spicewood is a certified post-office town, meaning trading some urban conveniences (like a movie theater, supermarket or fast food) for scenery, space and a slower pace. You can still get to Austin when you need to, but you can also spend a Saturday swimming under cypress trees, tasting Texas wine or watching the sunset over Lake Travis.

The Spicewood area has an unusually high level of educational attainment. Census-based data shows 57.7% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, putting the area well above the national average.

But statistics only tell part of the story. The appeal of Spicewood is largely experiential. This is a place where coffee runs, lake days, winery afternoons and porch conversations can become part of the weekly rhythm.

Willie Nelson’s connection to Spicewood certainly adds some Texas mythology. Nelson’s Luck Ranch was located here, and his Fourth of July Picnic returned to the area in 2003 at Two River Canyon Amphitheater. The two-day event featured a stacked lineup that included Nelson, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Merle Haggard, Pat Green, Toby Keith and The Dead.

Maybe it’s the outlaw-country spirit, maybe it’s the Hill Country air. Either way, Spicewood has never seemed particularly interested in playing by the rules.

Top Reasons to Move to Spicewood, TX

• Hill Country living without a city government. Spicewood is unincorporated, although specific neighborhoods and developments may have their own HOAs, property taxes, and other local assessments.
• Krause Springs. This family-owned Hill Country landmark has 32 springs across 115 acres, feeding both a natural swimming area and a spring-fed pool.
• Wine country at your doorstep. Spicewood Vineyards and Stone House Vineyard offer tastings, food and Hill Country scenery.
• Outdoor adventure is built in. Cypress Valley offers treehouse stays among ancient cypress trees, while nearby parks provide opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, boating and camping.

Spicewood is about 35 miles west of Austin along Highway 71 and roughly nine miles southeast of Marble Falls. The community is centered in southeastern Burnet County, with the larger area extending toward Travis County.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the nearest major airport, about 44 miles from the center of Spicewood.

Nearby Cities

• Austin, TX: About 35 miles east, offering major employment centers, restaurants, entertainment and cultural attractions.
• Marble Falls, TX: About nine miles northwest, with shopping, restaurants and access to the Highland Lakes.
• Dripping Springs, TX: Roughly 18 miles southeast, making it another convenient Hill Country destination for wineries, restaurants and outdoor recreation.

Spicewood gets the full Texas Hill Country weather experience. Summers are hot, with plenty of days pushing into the 90s, while winters tend to be mild. Spring and fall are particularly appealing for getting outside, whether that means hiking, boating, or simply sitting on the patio.

The upside to summer? Water is never far away. Lake Travis, Krause Springs and other nearby swimming and boating spots give residents plenty of ways to turn the heat into a feature rather than an unwelcome summer arrival.

Spicewood is not a traditional employment center, and that is important to understand before moving here. Many residents commute to jobs elsewhere in the Austin area, while others work remotely or run businesses in the surrounding community.

Highway 71 is the primary route into Austin and Marble Falls, making a car an essential to the Spicewood lifestyle. If your ideal commute involves walking to an office, this probably is not your place. If your ideal commute involves logging on from a home office before heading to the lake, however, Spicewood starts looking pretty appealing.

Texas also has no individual state income tax, which can be attractive for people relocating from higher-tax states.

Spicewood is served by both Marble Falls Independent School District and Lake Travis Independent School District, depending on the specific neighborhood and address. Nearby higher education options include UT Austin and Austin Community College.

Families considering a move should verify school zoning for a specific property rather than assuming a neighborhood falls within one district simply because it carries a Spicewood mailing address.

Spicewood’s housing landscape ranges from established neighborhoods and lake communities to sprawling Hill Country properties and high-end waterfront homes.

The Reserve at Lake Travis is one of the area’s best-known luxury communities. The gated development covers more than 300 acres and stretches along approximately 3.5 miles of Lake Travis shoreline. It also offers amenities geared toward the full lake-lifestyle fantasy, including a marina, equestrian trails and extensive recreation facilities.

Barton Creek Lakeside is another gated Lake Travis community, with 2.6 miles of lakefront, a private marina and boat ramp, parks, trails and access to an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. The community also has high-speed fiber service available throughout the development.

Briarcliff offers a more established, community-oriented take on lake living. Located on the south shore of Lake Travis, the village has a nine-hole golf course, disc golf, hiking and biking trails, a community park and marina access.

Paleface Park and other established neighborhoods around Spicewood offer additional options for buyers who want Hill Country scenery without the waterfront price tag.

Housing Profile and Market

The Spicewood housing market covers a wide spectrum. The area is particularly appealing to buyers looking for land, privacy, lake access, or a larger home than they might find closer to central Austin.

That said, Spicewood is not a bargain version of Austin. The area’s cost of living is still about 10% above the national average, with housing costs playing a significant role. In other words, you may get more Hill Country, but you should not expect to get it for free.

Spicewood has local medical services for everyday needs, while residents can travel into the greater Austin area for more specialized care. Because Spicewood is spread across a rural area, access and travel times vary considerably depending on the exact neighborhood and provider.

For prospective residents, healthcare is one of those practical details worth researching alongside schools, commute times and grocery access before signing on the dotted line.

If your idea of fun involves getting outside, Spicewood has an unusually strong résumé.

Krause Springs is the headline attraction. The 115-acre property contains 32 springs, a natural swimming area, a spring-fed pool, gardens and camping. The Krause family has owned the property for decades, and the springs have become one of the area’s best-known summer destinations. Cypress Valley offers a completely different kind of escape. Its treehouses are tucked among ancient cypress trees along the creek, turning glamping into a childhood treehouse fantasy.

Then there’s Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse, a Spicewood institution founded by Willie Nelson’s longtime stage manager, Randall “Poodie” Locke. The venue has deep roots in Texas country music and has hosted artists including Nelson and other notable Texas musicians.

Pace Bend Park is one of the area’s major outdoor draws. The 1,368-acre Travis County park sits on Lake Travis and offers hiking, camping, boating, swimming, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Travis County describes it as its largest lake park.

Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area adds another option, with hiking and biking trails, campsites, swimming, fishing, horseback riding and a boat ramp.

Spicewood may be rural, but don’t expect to be living on trail mix.

Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse brings live music, Texas country, and classic roadhouse energy. Opie’s Barbecue has been serving Central Texas barbecue on Highway 71 since 1999, with brisket, ribs, sausage and other smoked meats on the menu.

For an AM pick-me-up, What’s Up Brew offers high-quality, affordable coffee and unique specialty drinks, making it a delicious part of the morning routine.

And at The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge, diners can arrive by car or boat and settle in for Lake Travis views, casual food and weekend live music.

For wine lovers, Spicewood Vineyards offers tastings and Texas wine on a 32-acre vineyard, while Stone House Vineyard pairs wine with vineyard views and a culinary-focused tasting experience.

Spicewood’s biggest selling point may just be the thing it lacks.

There is no traditional downtown, no bustling Main Street and no single neighborhood that defines the whole community. Instead, Spicewood is a collection of neighborhoods, ranches, lake communities, businesses and natural spaces tied together by Highway 71 and a deep love for the Hill Country.

It’s a place where you can spend the morning swimming at Krause Springs, grab barbecue for lunch, taste wine in the afternoon, and listen to live music after sunset. You can expect a waterfront lifestyle, a quiet acreage lifestyle, or something in between.

Spicewood is not trying to be Austin. It doesn’t need to be.