Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – Texas State Park 13/89
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The Deets
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is located 20 minutes north of Fredericksburg, TX. The park offers hiking (almost 11 miles of trails), camping, rock climbing, bird watching, stargazing, and of course, summiting the gigantic pink granite dome that is Enchanted Rock. Biking and swimming are not allowed. Pets must be on a leash at all times and are only allowed at picnic, camping, and day-use areas and on the Loop Trail. The cost to enter the park is $8 per adult and free for children aged 12 and under (or completely free for everyone if using a Park Pass). We highly recommend booking your tickets in advance, as this is one of the most popular parks in the state!
The History
The history of Enchanted Rock reaches back 12,000 years. There is evidence of people inhabiting the area in the form of bedrock mortars, which are areas where people ground their food against the granite, forming indentions over time. Hundreds of archaeological sites have been discovered across the park. Each of them is protected and over 100 are designated State Archaeological Landmarks.
Native American tribes inhabited this land and developed many myths about the rock. They believed that ghost fires danced at the top, and they were frightened by the creaking and groaning of the stone. We know now that the stone makes noises as it expands and contracts with temperature changes, but it was a source of fear during those times.
The land passed from Charles Moss to the Nature Conservancy of Texas in 1978. The state bought the land shortly after and it opened as a State Natural Area that same year.
Our Experience
We had a great day overall. The trails are quite challenging in certain areas, and we enjoyed that. We did pick up a few pieces of trash, but the trails were mostly clean. All of the toilets were closed during our visit. Due to drought and trying to conserve water, there were banks of porta-potties to use. That’s definitely not my first choice, but you do what you have to.
This park was far more crowded than what we’re used to. That’s understandable when you consider that roughly 250,000 people visit the park a year. We saw 3 people fall on the trails (2 adults and one child) so make sure you watch your footing out there.
Make sure to wear sunscreen, as there isn’t much shade for the majority of the trails. Wear shoes with a good grip. Some of the inclines are very steep and you’re walking on stone most of the time for some trails.
The Trails
Some of these trails are a straight challenge and we loved it! We hiked every trail that was open. The toughest trails were definitely the Echo Canyon Trail and the Summit Trail. Echo Canyon takes you through some tricky rock areas but is fun if you like that sort of trail. The Summit Trail is strenuous. It is a long way to the top, so pace yourself. Take a break if you need to. Also, we’d recommend bringing a jacket because the wind at the top is really something else.
Part of the Loop Trail was closed, which also meant that access to Buzzard’s Roost Trail wasn’t available. A section of the Loop Trail washed out a few years ago and that area has been closed since. If you take the Loop Trail, you’ll detour through the Base Trail and the Turkey Pass Trail.
The Base Trail between the Loop Trail and Turkey Pass was our favorite section of the park. It gets a little more woodsy there and we really enjoyed it. Turkey Pass is a moderate trail, but you have to keep an eye out for trail markers. Some of the trail is over flat rock, so you can’t follow a track.
Our Takeaway
If you like a challenging hike, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a great park to visit. You’ll find quite a few trails that will push you. If you’d prefer a simpler hike, take the Loop Trail. It’s wide and even for the most part, with a few inclines/declines along the way. Even if you don’t want to hike, driving to the area to see the incredible dome of Enchanted Rock is worth it. It rises out of the landscape, a barren dome surrounded by wooded hills. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a fantastic site that will leave you speechless. It’s easy to see why people have been drawn to this place for thousands of years. It’s easier yet to be taken in by it yourself.
Prefer to see this park in action? Check out our vlog episode for Enchanted Rock State Natural Area!
Cheers,
Lydia and Billy
