Is Luckenbach Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Luckenback, Texas, is a place that promises “Everbody is Somebody” and is surrounded by old Texas charm.

It’s a legendary spot where time seems to stand still, embodying the spirit of the Lone Star State’s rich musical and cultural heritage.

Nestled deep in the heart of the Hill Country, this unassuming hamlet is more than just a dot on the map; it’s a cherished symbol of Texas’ laid-back charm and rustic allure.

In fact, you might think it’s a ghost town were it not for the toe-tapping music coming from the music hall.

Founded in 1849 by German immigrants, Luckenbach originally served as a trading post and stagecoach stop, gradually evolving into a community celebrated for its distinctive blend of music, history, and hospitality.

The town gained iconic status thanks to the 1977 hit song “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

This song immortalized the town’s ethos of simplicity and camaraderie, drawing music lovers from around the world.

Today, Luckenbach remains a vibrant destination for live music, with its historic dance hall hosting performances that range from local bands to country legends.

A visit here is best paired with a trip to Fredericksburg, just 10 miles away.

Now, as Waylon Jennings sang in a famous duet with Willie Nelson, “Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas.”

Warnings & Dangers in Luckenbach

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but it's worth mentioning that this isn't a place to spend even a full weekend. This is mostly a one-night type of place, with maybe some more exploring the following morning. Plan an itinerary that includes surrounding towns.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You'll need a car to get here unless you take a taxi or rideshare from Fredericksburg. If you're visiting for a private event, ask if shuttles are being provided. The Luckenbach website has a list of local transportation companies, taxis, and rideshares.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but you'll want to limit what you carry so you don't need to worry about bulky purses or wallets while you're dancing the night away.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Severe weather in Hill Country can bring powerful storms, large hail, tornadoes, and strong straight-line winds. Wildfires are another risk, making it important to know about fire restrictions and drought conditions. It's a medium risk, for sure.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, with no robberies in the small community as far back as I can search. In nearby Fredericksburg, only about two robberies happen a year.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, as Luckenbach is really nothing more than a few old buildings in a cul-de-sac.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The local Better Business Bureau office and the state Attorney General’s office will have common scam tactics and protection advice. That information is better to know in general, as there haven't been any scams reported recently in Luckenbach.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, but probably a place you should go with friends or family and not alone. It can get crowded and is in a rather remote area.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The risk is low here, and you can read the Fredericksburg annual report to get the latest information.

Safest Places to Visit in Luckenbach

To learn more about the events in Luckenbach, use the Luchenbacktexas.com website.

The town is on your favorite social media site @LuckenbachTexas.

Beyond that, also check out visitfredericksburgtx.com and texashillcountry.com.

It’s worth noting that Luckenbach is available for rent.

You can rent the dance hall or the whole 10 acres of town for special events like weddings or family reunions.

Luckenbach is a great place to hang out, but it’s also not very eventful when there aren’t performances happening.

The main days of the week to visit are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if you want live entertainment.

The rest is open during the week from 9 am to 9 pm.

Once you get there, you’ll be in a circle of old Western buildings with a dance hall, saloon, general store, and big picnic areas.

Call ahead to schedule a private tour, and you can choose what information and artifacts you will see, be it a Willie Nelson history tour or a bigger look at how Luckenbach came to be.

The most popular is the Nickel Tour, with free beer, a short film, and entertaining tour guides – maybe the grandson of Hondo Crouch himself!

Another great place people go batty for nearby is Old Tunnel State Park.

While the park centers around an old railroad tunnel, it’s what’s inside that draws the crowds.

Between May and October, millions of bats fly out of the tunnel at dusk.

You can call (866) 978-2287 to get the latest emergence schedule or check the park’s social media sites.

Old Tunnel State Park doubles as a place for great stargazing or an afternoon hike.

Hill Country is also Wine Country, and several wineries are located near Luckenbach on U.S. Route 290.

There’s also a campsite and some nearby rentals if you don’t want to worry about drinking and then finding a way to get home.

Wildseed Farms is also on that same road, offering 200 acres of wildflower farming and vineyards, with a specialty food store on the property.

Places to Avoid in Luckenbach

Luckenbach isn’t really a town, so there’s no good or bad part of the town.

There’s just the gathering spot, leaving no place to avoid even if you want to!

While the history and legend of Luckenbach are huge, it’s worth punctuating how small of a place this is.

You can use Google Maps Street View to get a look around.

You can also find rentals in the nearby countryside, perhaps giving you a more immersive experience in the Luckenbach lifestyle.

The only thing I would truly avoid is talking about the new development going on up the street at Luckenbach Road and U.S. 290.

The president of Luckenbach TX, Inc., Kit Patterson, has been in legal wrangling with the people building Luckenbach Road Whiskey Distillery due to naming rights and use of “Luckenbach.”

Read all you want about it online before you go, but don’t mention it while you’re here.

It’s a sore spot, for sure.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Luckenbach

So... How Safe Is Luckenbach Really?

Since Luckenbach isn’t a town or city, it doesn’t have specific crime data.

However, we can look at the surrounding area to get an idea of how much crime happens here.

Well, we could try.

After searching the Fredericksburg Police Department’s page and the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office page, I couldn’t find any reports of thefts, assaults, etc., at the venue.

In addition, Fredericksburg has a violent crime rate 61% lower than the state average.

The theft rate was 50% lower than the national average in 2023.

In the past decade, theft rates have been cut in half.

Keep in mind that more than a million people visit this area each year, which means you don’t always know the type of people around you.

That should prompt standard safety measures while also offering reassurance of how safe it is since people keep coming.

Common sense and basic steps like locking your vehicle and removing personal items from plain sight will go a long way here.

Remember to keep an eye on the weather, too, as the storms here can turn nasty quickly.

With development encroaching the edges of Luckenbach, I’d schedule this trip sooner rather than later.

How Does Luckenbach Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa or a visa waiver. Use the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website to see which one you qualify for, and hope that it's the waiver since that's the easier process. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted in Luckenbach.

Weather

You'll spend a lot of time outside in Luckenbach. At the venue, you'll be crowded in with a bunch of people. Bring Texas Western attire to fit in, and a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat are always stylish here. Umbrellas are allowed at the venue but can only be opened if it's raining.

Airports

San Antonio International Airport is the closest, about an hour south. Austin Bergstrom International Airport is about 90 minutes away. San Antonio's airport does have a currency exchange. Austin's just has ATMs.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind.

Luckenbach Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City