Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is located just 20 miles North of Fredericksburg in Texas. From San Antonio or Austin the drive could take 1.5 to 2 hours but the scenery along the way is nice and the hikes are well worth the trip. There are also camping areas for those who want to spend more than one day exploring. There is an entrance fee of $6 per adult at the ranger station entrance where you can get maps and ask questions. Call (512) 389-8900 for reservations. Pets and dogs are allowed if leashed and cleaned up after.

Address: 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, (800) 685-3636
GPS Location: 30.496046, -98.819897

Trail Details: There are two main trails to follow at Enchanted Rock along with a cave. The popular Summit Trail climbs 425 feet in 0.6 miles and the Loop Trail, which isn’t nearly as steep or rigorous but is much longer, is 4 miles round trip. No bicycles are permitted.

Hike Review: Both trails are great and offer different perspectives but both require lots of water, sunscreen and a hat during the summer months. I took the hike in early June with no cloud cover at 11am and was quite hot. The Summit had a great breeze that really cooled things down but water is essential, one quart per person is recommended. From the top you can see nearby Little Rock, Turkey Peak and Freshman Mountain as well as Moss Lake and a distant quarry.

While the summit is great, I enjoyed the relative solitude of the loop. It was also easier on my knees and ankles. Lizards, birds and cactus bring the desert landscape to life and there are enough shade trees along the loop to stay cool. For the best of both worlds, take the loop trail around to the right side of enchanted rock then climb up the back side, passing by the cave entrance. While it is generally preferred that visitors stay on trail when visiting public parks to avoid erosion, Enchanted Rock is covered with large boulders that provide ample exploration opportunities and light bouldering without leaving designated areas. Some of the rock is crumbly and the park service has said “Trail, cave and rock conditions are inherently hazardous: visitors may encounter slippery surfaces, steep inclines, vertical drops and other hazardous conditions.”

Other Information:

• On weekends look for the “Flamin’ Dog” food trailer near the trail head. They sell burgers, vegiburgers, hot dogs, drinks and water bottles
• Check out time is 2pm or renew permit by 9am
• Maximum of 8 people per campsite, buests must leave park by 10pm, quiet time is from 10pm to 6am
• No vehicle camping: no RV’s, camper trailers or vehicles longer than 20 feet are permitted to cross bridge entrance
• Pets must be kept on a leash and picked up after
• Gathering of firewood is prohibited, campfires only permitted in fire rings at each site, use extreme caution
• No mountain biking allowed
• More information at Texas Parks and Wildlife site

Related posts:

1. Enchanted Rock Cave
2. Mendocino Waterfall Loop Trail
3. Namaqua Hill Cave Hike
4. Devil’s Backbone Trail
5. Arastradero Preserve Trail