Where is Hunt Texas? What Most People Get Wrong

Finding Hunt is easy if you know the Hill Country, but it’s surprisingly easy to get lost if you’re just punching a name into a GPS without context. See, there is a Hunt County way up northeast of Dallas, which is a totally different beast. If you are looking for the actual town of Hunt, you need to head southwest.

Basically, Hunt sits deep in the Texas Hill Country in Kerr County. It is about 13 miles west of Kerrville and roughly 90 miles northwest of San Antonio. You've probably heard people talk about the Guadalupe River; well, Hunt is exactly where the North and South forks of that river meet. It’s a tiny, unincorporated community, but it punches way above its weight class in terms of Texas summer nostalgia.

Honestly, the "vibe" of Hunt is what makes it. It’s not a place of strip malls. You won’t find a Starbucks. Instead, you get towering cypress trees that have been there since before Texas was a republic.

Where is Hunt Texas on the Map?

If you were looking at a map of the state, you’d find Hunt tucked into the rugged, limestone-heavy terrain of the Edwards Plateau. It’s located at the intersection of Highway 39 and FM 1340. These aren't high-speed interstates. They are winding, scenic roads where you have to watch out for axis deer and low-water crossings.

Getting There From Major Cities

• From San Antonio: It’s a straight shot up I-10 West to Kerrville, then you take Highway 27 to Ingram and finally Highway 39 into Hunt. The drive takes about an hour and a half.
• From Austin: You’re looking at a two-hour trek. Most people take Highway 290 through Fredericksburg—which is a great pit stop for peaches—and then cut down through Mountain Home.
• From Houston: Plan for a long day. It’s a four-and-a-half-hour haul across I-10.

The geography here is what locals call "Flash Flood Alley." The limestone underneath the soil is basically like concrete; when it rains hard, the water doesn't soak in. It runs off. This was tragically proven in July 2025 when the Guadalupe River saw a massive, historic surge that crested at over 37 feet at Hunt. It's a reminder that while the river is beautiful, it’s a powerful, living thing.

Why People Actually Go to Hunt

Most people don't just "pass through" Hunt. You go there on purpose. For nearly a century, Hunt has been the epicenter of the Texas summer camp tradition. If you grew up in a certain kind of Texas family, you likely spent a few weeks at places like Camp Mystic, Camp Waldemar, or Camp Arrowhead. These aren't just tents in the woods; they are massive, storied institutions.

Then there’s the Hunt Store. It’s basically the heart of the community. You can buy a gallon of milk, grab a burger at the Hunt Rock Café, or just sit on the porch and listen to someone play a guitar. It’s one of those rare places that feels like 1955 and 2026 at the same time.

The Best Swimming Spots

Schumacher’s Crossing is arguably the most famous swimming hole in the region. The water is crystal clear because there are no major cities upstream to pollute it. The river flows over limestone ledges, creating natural waterfalls that are perfect for sitting under when the Texas heat hits 100 degrees.

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1. Schumacher’s Crossing: Great for families, very cold water, and iconic cypress roots.
2. Mo-Ranch: A massive assembly and retreat center nearby that has a famous "slide" into the river.
3. Crider’s Rodeo & Dancehall: This is a Saturday night staple during the summer. You watch the rodeo, then walk over to an outdoor dance floor built around a giant oak tree right on the riverbank.

The Confusion with Hunt County

I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating because it happens all the time. Hunt County is up by Dallas. Its county seat is Greenville. It’s flat, prairie land known for cotton history and the Audie Murphy Museum.

Hunt, Texas (the town) is in Kerr County. It is rocky, hilly, and famous for the river. If your GPS says you’re 50 miles from Dallas, you’re in the wrong Hunt. You want the one near Kerrville.

Surviving the Hill Country Climate

Living in or visiting Hunt requires a bit of "river sense." The weather can be temperamental. In the summer, it’s bone-dry and hot, but the river stays chilly. In the winter, the "blue northers" can drop temperatures 30 degrees in an hour.

The recent 2025 floods changed some of the landscape. Some old cabins are being rebuilt, and there is a renewed focus on flood gauges and early warning systems. If you're staying at a riverside resort like the River Inn, pay attention to the weather alerts. The Guadalupe can go from a sleepy stream to a roaring wall of water faster than you’d think.

Actionable Tips for Your Visit

If you're planning to find out where Hunt Texas is for yourself, don't just wing it. Cell service is notoriously spotty once you get past Ingram.

• Download Offline Maps: Your Google Maps will likely fail you once you hit the canyons on FM 1340.
• Book Camps Early: If you're looking at a summer resort or a camp session, people book these a year in advance.
• Respect the River: Most of the riverbanks are private property. Stick to public crossings or established resorts to avoid a "No Trespassing" conversation with a local rancher.
• Check the Hunt Store Calendar: They often have live music on the patio, which is the best way to meet the people who actually live there year-round.

Hunt isn't a place you go to "do" things as much as it is a place you go to "be." Whether you're tubing down the North Fork or just watching the sunset from the porch of a limestone cabin, it remains one of the most authentic slices of Texas left.

Your Next Steps
Check the current river flow levels via the USGS gauges before you head out, especially if you plan on kayaking. If the flow is below 50 cfs (cubic feet per second), you'll be dragging your boat over rocks. If it's over 500 cfs, stay out unless you're an expert. Grab a physical map of Kerr County at a gas station in Kerrville just in case your phone dies—you'll thank me later when you're trying to find FM 1340 in the dark.