Things to Do

5 Reasons to Visit Peaceful Pipe Creek, Texas

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Pipe Creek, Texas is a small unincorporated community in the Texas Hill Country, located about 40 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, between Bandera and Boerne on State Highway 16. It is named after the local creek that flows nearby, and it has a population of only 66 people. Locals enjoy the slow-paced life and the surrounding scenic beauty. Here are just a few things that you can do if you take a trip to Pipe Creek.

1. Polly’s Chapel

Untitled

Photo: tripadvisor.com

Step back in time and visit this quaint little chapel out on Polly’s Chapel Road. The chapel was built by hand, with native stone, by Policarpo “Polly” Rodrigues, back in 1882. This is a quiet and peaceful setting where you can find the old piano and hymn books in place, and you can even ring the old church bell. There is a historical marker there which explains the history of the place and its builder. Also, there is a covered pavilion on the grounds that some families and groups reserve for reunions, and some brides who know of this pretty piece of history book the chapel as their wedding venue.

2. English Crossing

Untitled2

Photo: Missy Rea Photography

English Crossing is a beautiful place on the Medina River just outside of Pipe Creek. It is peaceful – a nice place to stop and put your feet in the water and relax, alone or with friends. You can also picnic there, and many locals consider this area one of their favorite watering holes. Especially with the recent rains, the waterfalls on the bluffs there are really gorgeous.

3. Country Accents Antiques & Country Store

Untitled3

Photo: Facebook/CountryAccentsAntiques

Stop by and visit Wilbur the pig at Country Accents Antiques, located at 312 Hwy 16. Wilbur is their 4-year old pot bellied pig, and he loves company. Also at this location, you will find lots of quality antiques, the Country Store Museum, vintage trailers, the Backyard Bistro, and two charming log cabins for rent. They also have herb, butterfly and produce gardens, as well as wild guineas, exotic chickens, and deer that often sleep near your back door if you stay in one of the cabins. This is a great one-stop location for fun, food, and entertainment.

4. Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve

Untitled4

Photo: bear-springs-blossom.org

Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve is 128 acres of nature trails and birding trails run by a nonprofit organization whose life work is to protect all aspects of nature. Here you will find a wide variety of wildflowers, trees, and birds, as well as their electricity producing windmill. They offer guided tours and lectures, and enjoy teaching about renewable energy and about how saving nature saves lives. You can find them on their website, www.bear-springs-blossom.org, to get directions and to make reservations for tours and lectures.

5. Timber Ridge Winery

Untitled5

Photo: www.unsplash.com

Timber Ridge Winery opened about a year ago, and is located at 170 Timber Ridge, 2 miles from Hwy 16 off Timbercreek Road. It was built on a ridge overlooking the valley below and the surrounding hills. The normal business hours for the tasting room are Sat. and Sun., 12 noon to 5 p.m. If you’ll call ahead, you can do special orders Mon. through Fri., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Pipe Creek is a tiny community, but it is in a beautiful area of the Texas Hill Country, and it has a lot to offer anyone who will take the time to come check it out.

References:

Bandera County Chamber of Commerce

Trip Advisor-Polly’s Chapel

www.countryaccentsantiques.com

www.bear-springs-blossom.org

www.timberridgewinery.com