HUNT, TEXAS: CAMPERS’ RENDEZVOUS

Just east of Hunt in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, you’ll find a marker erected in 2005 that discusses the history of the town and its vicinity. Hunt itself is located 13 miles west of Kerrville, at the junction of the north and south forks of the Guadalupe River. As the historical marker states, the town of Hunt is the ultimate result of three different communities that were founded in more or less the same place!

The waters of the Guadalupe have attracted humans, as well as wildlife and birds for centuries; where there’s water, there’s bountiful life and activity! Native American tribes hunted and farmed in the region for hundreds of years, and white settlers began to trickle in as early as the 1830s, roughly the same time Kerrville was getting started off to the east. Indeed, many of the people who headed westward to settle in what would become Hunt were from Kerrville, seeking rich farming and ranching land to the west.

They found it, and started to put down roots. About three miles north of modern-day Hunt, a hamlet called Japonica was settled, named after the native wildflowers growing in abundance there. Another settlement, called Pebble after the smooth rocks deposited by the Guadalupe and its tributaries, sprung up, too, but it was short-lived. Japonica grew and flourished for a while, and the first post office in the area was established there in 1880. As a matter of fact, the Japonica post office would serve most of western Kerr County well into the 20^th century.

It wasn’t until 1913 that the town of Hunt was officially founded, named after Robert F. Hunt, who owned the land on which the town’s post office and first general store were built. The Japonica and Hunt post offices both operated until 1918, at which time it was decided to close the one in Japonica since the two towns were so close together. Without its post office, Japonica faded into the pages of history, more or less absorbed by Hunt.

While the Hill Country is known for its fine ranching and farming land, in the early 20^th century several towns began to explore tourism opportunities. Hunt, bracketed by two river tributaries, was perfectly poised to attract visitors. When automobiles opened up the American countryside to more and more travelers, the tourism industry in Hunt expanded exponentially. City dwellers sought the laid-back pace on the river’s banks; they brought their families to fish, swim, float, or just decompress on or alongside the soothing waters.

We titled this essay “Campers’ Rendezvous” because, if you were to ask any Hill Country local about the town of Hunt, “camping” is likely to be one of the first words to spring to their minds. It’s home to the largest collection of summer camps in the Hill Country, with churches and numerous youth organizations calling the area their summer home. There are also summer vacation homes, resorts, and even corporate retreat facilities dotting the riverbanks in and around Hunt. It’s no surprise the town has become synonymous with riverside recreation.

Here’s some information that should help put Hunt’s tourism popularity into sharper focus. The town’s permanent population is around 1,200 people all told. During the warmer months of the year, however, the influx of campers, vacationers, and other interested visitors make Hunt’s population rise to 3,500 or more! Suffice it to say that tourism dollars during the summer are critical to the overall health of the regional economy.

The good people of Hunt not only welcome their summer friends, but they’ve also arranged to make their town attractive to travelers of all stripes. When you’re not out enjoying the river, you’ll be able to find live entertainment, great dining experiences, eclectic shopping opportunities, and much more in and around Hunt. They take to heart the laid-back philosophy of the Hill Country, and love to share it with their visitors!

Whether camping or other Hill Country adventures bring you to Hunt, we have a valuable resource that will help you maximize your visit! We’ve researched businesses and attractions in this awesome town, and that info is ready for you at the bottom of this page in listings sorted by category. All the shops, parks, restaurants, and kid-friendly spots in and around Hunt are just a click or two away. It’s a perfect road map for your visit!

If you're planning a Hill Country trip and want to go deeper than this article — finding the right small towns, lining up a route, picking lodging that fits how you actually like to travel — we've built a few places that can help.

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