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Llano River hunting and cattle ranches in the granite country northwest of Fredericksburg.
Mason County lies northwest of Fredericksburg, a little over 100 road miles from downtown Austin. The Llano River crosses the southern part of the county, and the James River joins it from the southwest, giving many ranches river or creek frontage.
The county sits on the western edge of the Llano Uplift, so granite outcrops and sandy soils mix with limestone hills. Land here is largely held in working cattle and hunting ranches, and tracts tend to be larger than in counties closer to Austin.
Nearly the entire county is inside one underground water conservation district, which sets well registration and spacing rules.
Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
Covers nearly the entire county
Surface water in Texas belongs to the state, so river or creek frontage does not by itself carry a right to divert water. Confirm any existing surface-water permits and well records as part of due diligence.
Texas open-space (1-d-1) valuation taxes qualifying land on its agricultural productivity instead of market value. In this county it is administered by the Mason County appraisal district.
A buyer must apply in their own name, generally by April 30, to keep the valuation. Wildlife-management use requires land already under agricultural valuation and at least three of seven qualifying practices. Changing the land to a non-agricultural use triggers a rollback tax for the previous three years, according to the Texas Comptroller.
Mason County does not have a county-wide habitat conservation plan. Federal endangered-species rules still apply to habitat on private land.
Mason County is outside the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program.
Yes. Nearly all of the county is inside the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, which sets rules for well registration, spacing, and production. Before closing, confirm that existing wells are registered and ask the district about any permit conditions that would affect your plans for livestock, irrigation, or new homes.
Texas open-space (1-d-1) valuation taxes qualifying land on its agricultural productivity rather than market value. The Mason County appraisal district administers it. A new owner must apply in their own name, generally by April 30, to keep it. Wildlife-management use requires land already under agricultural valuation and at least three of seven qualifying practices. If the land changes to a non-agricultural use, the Texas Comptroller describes a rollback tax for the previous three years.
Mason County does not have a county-wide habitat conservation plan, but federal endangered-species rules still apply to habitat on private land. The county is outside the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. For wooded tracts, ask an environmental consultant whether protected habitat is present before planning clearing or construction.
Mason, the county seat, is about 109 road miles from downtown Austin. Drive times vary by route and traffic, and individual ranches can be well off the highway on county roads. Confirm road access and travel time to the specific property as part of your visit.
Information compiled from public agency sources and last reviewed 2026-10-16. District boundaries and rules change; confirm details with the agencies linked above. Paragon Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, LLC, does not provide legal, tax, survey, or environmental advice.