Fodor's Expert Review Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site

It's easy to feel confused, but the state park and the national park that honor LBJ are technically separate entities that operate in conjunction with each other. The national park includes Johnson's boyhood home in Johnson City proper, while the state park is confined to this property 14 miles west of town. This historic site encompasses the World War I–era Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, historic cabins and trails, and the LBJ Ranch, which includes the family cemetery where the 36th president is buried and the Texas White House, the home where LBJ and his wife, Lady Bird, lived before and after his presidency and often returned to during his time as the nation's leader. A self-guided tour of the ranch begins at the visitor center, and afterward you can hike the many park trails, fish the Pedernales River, picnic, and even take a dip in the pool during the summer.