Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, TX, United States

Friends of Johnson raised the money to buy the land across the Pedernales River from Johnson’s Ranch (now part of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park) for the park and donated the land to the State of Texas in 1965. The 269-acre (109 ha) facility was officially dedicated in August, 1970, in a ceremony attended by the Johnson family and a host of dignitaries. Since the dedication, the park has been expanded to approximately 732.75 acres (297 ha). One of the trustees was Johnson’s close friend and political advisor, former state Attorney General John Ben Shepperd.

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The park has a large visitor center complex with interpretive center about Johnson’s life. Tours of the LBJ Ranch are by permit only and are by self-guided auto tour departing from the state park’s visitor center.

The park offers recreational facilities for swimming, tennis and baseball. Fishing is allowed in the Pedernales River and there is a nature trail for hiking. The park maintains small herds of Texas Longhorn cattle, American Bison and White-tailed Deer.

A park interpreter demonstrates a typical rural kitchen of 1918 at the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead.

The Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead is a living history farm that presents rural Texas life as it was around 1918. The park employees wear period clothing and perform the daily routine of life using period tools and techniques. The farm was settled by John Sauer and his family in the late 19th century and then by Herman Beckmann and his sons in the early 20th century.

Mission
To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Philosophy
In fulfilling our mission, we will: Be a recognized national leader in implementing effective natural resources conservation and outdoor recreational programs; Serve the state of Texas, its citizens, and our employees with the highest standards of service, professionalism, fairness, courtesy, and respect; Rely on the best available science to guide our conservation decisions; Responsibly manage agency finances and appropriations to ensure the most efficient and effective use of tax-payer and user fee resources; Attract and retain the best, brightest, and most talented workforce to successfully execute our mission.