Chris Anderson
Realtor | Southwest Austin & Hill Country Realtor | Chris Anderson, 12 Rivers Realty
Dripping Springs is a Hays County city about 25 miles west of downtown Austin along US 290. It is known as the Gateway to the Hill Country, and buyers come here for three main reasons: Dripping Springs ISD, homes on larger lots and acreage, and a cluster of wineries, breweries and distilleries along Fitzhugh Road and US 290.
I have helped buyers and sellers in Dripping Springs since 2003. In that time, it has grown into a more relaxed and spacious version of Austin that still retains all of its charm.
This guide covers neighborhoods, schools, water and utilities, property taxes, commute times, restaurants, and parks. It is updated each quarter with current market numbers.
Dripping Springs ISD Schools
Which school district serves Dripping Springs? Most of Dripping Springs is served by Dripping Springs ISD (DSISD). The district enrolls more than 8,800 students across nine campuses: six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. It covers about 198 square miles, mostly in northern Hays County with a small portion in Travis County.
Elementary schools: Cypress Springs, Dripping Springs, Rooster Springs, Sycamore Springs, Walnut Springs and Wildwood Springs.
Middle schools: Dripping Springs Middle School and Sycamore Springs Middle School.
High schools: Dripping Springs High School serves the whole district today. A second high school, Driftwood Springs High School, is under construction on Darden Hill Road next to Cypress Springs Elementary. It is scheduled to open for the 2028-29 school year with capacity for about 2,500 students and will serve the eastern part of the district.
Attendance zones changed recently. DSISD redrew elementary and middle school boundaries for the 2025-26 school year, and high school zones will be set before Driftwood Springs opens. If schools matter to your search, confirm the zoning for each address with the district before you make an offer. I check this for every buyer I work with.
Campus details, enrollment and calendars are on the DSISD schools page. State accountability ratings for each campus are published by the Texas Education Agency at TXSchools.gov.
New Student Registration for all grade levels and the Pre-Kindergarten Lottery are now open for the 2026–27 school year.
Dripping Springs ISD announced the hiring of Rudy Gonzalez as the next principal for Dripping Springs Middle School following a unanimous decision by the DSISD.
Dripping Springs High School shattered a school record in 2026, with more than 250 students earning a total of 286 industry-based certifications.
Tillie's is the restaurant at Camp Lucy, a resort and event venue on Creek Road. The menu is contemporary American with seasonal changes, and it is one of the most popular special-occasion dinners in the area. Reservations are a good idea on weekends.
A locally owned bakery committed to the use of stone-milled, organic flours in all our baked goods.
A small breakfast, bakery and sandwich spot on US 290. Everything is made to order, so expect a short wait on weekend mornings.
Summer Revival is your locally owned luncheonette right in the heart of Dripping Springs, TX. Serving elevated casual cuisine and natural wines
Thai dishes with Texas touches, a good option when you want something besides barbecue and Tex-Mex.
Located in the heart of Dripping Springs, Texas, Homespun Kitchen and Bar is a Farm-to-Table style with both European and American influences.
A working distillery on a ranch property shaded by large oaks, with a stage for live music, plenty of lawn space and Alice's restaurant on site. Treaty Oak makes bourbon, rye and gin.
A farmhouse brewery known for wild and barrel-aged ales, with a kitchen serving wood-fired pizza and a large outdoor property.
Makers of sotol, a Texas spirit distilled from a desert plant. The grounds include outdoor seating and space for kids.
A brewery focused on Mexican-style lagers, with a patio that works well for an afternoon stop.
A winery and brewery in one, with outdoor seating, live music and food trucks.
A tasting room with a cocktail and food menu, just off the highway.
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