About the Park

1,643-acre Enchanted Rock State Natural Area draws countless visitors to its distinctive 500-foot-high dome of pink granite, the second largest such formation in North America. Designated a National Natural Landmark, Enchanted Rock is an impressive geological feature with an estimated age of one billion years, making it among the oldest exposed rock in North America. Coupled with its impressive geologic history, Enchanted Rock also has an extensive archaeological history; the site figures prominently in several Indian legends.

Visitors to Enchanted Rock enjoy numerous activities, including hiking, backpacking, technical and rock climbing, primitive camping, picnicking, birding, geological study, stargazing and nature study. Facilities include a group picnic area and pavilion. Recreational vehicles (RVs) and pop-up trailers are not permitted to camp in the park. All campsites are primitive, accessible via either a short walk or a backpacking hike. 

The park offers 7 miles of hiking trails, including the popular 6/10 mile Summit Trail which involves a 425-foot elevation gain hike to the top of Enchanted Rock. The 4-mile Loop Trail, a favorite among hikers and backpackers, winds around the base of Enchanted Rock. Bicycling is permitted on paved roads only. For experienced rock climbers, the park's 1,000 foot long Enchanted Rock Fissure -- one of the largest known granite caves -- promises a challenge on its steep and slippery surfaces. A list of over forty-five established rock climbing routes is available at the park headquarters. 

It is important to respect the park environment. TAKE ONLY PICTURES AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS are watchwords for preserving the park's features and scenic beauty for future enjoyment. 

Enchanted Rock Vernal Pool Home to rare plants and wildlife.	Enchanted Rock Climbing A favorite park activity.	Echo Canyon Walls A well loved area of the park.

PARK HISTORY

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area consists of 1643.5 acres on Big Sandy Creek, north of Fredericksburg, on the border between Gillespie and Llano Counties. It was acquired by warranty deed in 1978 by the Nature Conservancy of Texas, Inc., from the Moss family. The state acquired it in 1984, added facilities, and reopened the park in March 1984, but humans have visited here for over 11,000 years. Enchanted Rock was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1970 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. 

Tonkawa Indians believed ghost fires flickered at the top, and they heard weird creaking and groaning, which geologists now say resulted from the rock's heating by day and contracting in the cool night The first well-documented explorations of this area did not begin until 1723 when the Spanish intensified their efforts to colonize Texas. During the mid-1700s, the Spaniards made several trips to the north and northwest of San Antonio, establishing a mission and presidio on the San Saba River and carrying out limited mining on Honey Creek near the Llano River. 

WHAT TO DO

Visitors can enjoy hiking, picnicking, camping (walk in and primitive), rock climbing, caving, bird watching, geological study, nature photography and star gazing. Remember, at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, do not disturb plant or animal life, geological features, or Indian or historical artifacts. These park resources are protected by law! For map of park, click here.

FACILITIES

Facilities include restrooms with showers; walk-in sites with tent pads, picnic tables & fire rings; hike-in primitive sites with composting toilets (backpack camping in designated areas only); picnic sites for day-use with tables and grills; a group picnic area with a pavilion and restrooms; a 4-mile loop trail around the granite domes; the steep Summit Trail leading up to the top of Enchanted Rock (foot traffic only); and a small interpretive center and Texas State Park Store at check-in. Concessions are available during busy seasons. No facilities are available for vehicular camping of any type. Restrooms and showers may be closed during water shortages. In the event of a closure portable toilets will be available. Always bring plenty of drinking water.

HIKING

From the impressive Summit Trail to the varied terrain of the Loop Trail, Enchanted Rock offers hikes for people of all interest and ages.  The many established trails range from easy to strenuous and offer a dynamic view of the park’s natural wonders. In addition, a newly completed handicap trail to the Interpretive Kiosk has just been completed. Always carry plenty of water when you hike and pack out what you pack in. For map of park designating hiking trails, click here.

CAMPING

Enchanted Rock SNA offers both primitive and picnic camping by reservation.  There is a 3 night maximum. There are no RV hookups. For camping availability & reservations, click here.

Walk-in camping is available near the parking area. Each walk-in site has a picnic table, fire ring & tent pad. For map of walk-in camp sites, click here.

Primitive camping is permitted only in the designated primitive camping area. CAMP WITHIN CAMPING AREA BOUNDARIES. Do not rearrange the landscape. DO NOT CONSTRUCT YOUR CAMPSITE. Never cut branches, saplings or trees. As much as possible, please avoid disturbing the groundcover and topsoil. Locate your camp in order to take advantage of natural drainage and topography. Bedsites or tents should be pitched on naturally flat ground. Do not dig or level an area for a bedsite. Please remove all traces of your camp when you leave. For map of park, click here.

Be advised that the creek and low-lying areas are subject to flash flooding.

Campfires are not permitted in the primitive area due to the possibility of wildfires. COOKING IS ALLOWED ONLY ON CONTAINERIZED FUEL STOVES. NO GROUNDFIRES.

All garbage and litter (including cigarette butts) shall be packed out of the area for disposal in trash receptacles at the trailheads. Burying garbage is not permitted.

Self-composting toilet facilities are located adjacent to the trail at the designated camping areas. DO NOT THROW ANY NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE OR SMOKING MATERIALS INTO THE COMPOSTING TANK.

Visitors are encouraged to maximize their experience in this natural setting by closely examining and experiencing the sounds, smells and the feel of nature. In so doing, the trail before you will not only be more enjoyable but inspirational as well. Future generations will be able to enjoy and experience the primitive backcountry area only if today’s visitors protect and care for their heritage. The satisfaction and achievement of traveling through and camping in a primitive area will be complete only if you, the user, leave no sign of your visit ... no perceptible traces. Help preserve the harmony and nature of the backcountry.

CLIMBING

Free climbing is permitted in the park. The park has an abundance of both traditional and sport climbing routes and bouldering on high quality granite.

CLIMB CLEAN! The placement of bolts, pitons or other fixed anchors is not permitted unless approved by the central Texas Climbing Committee. Applications for bolt placements can be obtained at park headquarters or online at www.centraltexasclimbingcommittee.com.

Visitors exploring Enchanted Rock Fissure should use CAUTION. This 1,000-foot-long talus fissure contains over 20 entrances with tight passages, wet, slippery surfaces, numerous steep inclines and hazardous vertical drops. If requires some skill and climbing ability to experience safety. To insure safety, carry at least one light source and wear loose, protective clothing and proper foot gear such as climbing boots or rubber-soled shoes.

Keep it safe! The nearest medical facilities are in Fredericksburg, and most parts of the park are accessible only by foot. Should an emergency arise, contact the headquarters: (830) 685-3636 or 911. For map of climbing areas, click here.

New members of the Friends of Enchanted Rock can enjoy a 10% discount on climbing classes at www.rock-about.com. Join us and have a great time learning to climb!

YOUR DOG

Dogs are welcome at ERSNA, but please follow these simple guidelines. Dogs must stay on leash at all times. This is to protect your dog as well as the area wildlife. Even the most well trained dog will find it hard to resist the plentiful deer, raccoons, squirrels and skunks in the park. it is not unusual for a beloved pet to get lost in the 1643 acre park while chasing wildlife.

Pick up after your dog. This is especially important in the camp & picnic areas.

Always carry water along for your dog on hikes. During the summer months the granite gets very hot. Do your dog a favor and wait until the summer temperatures cool down before you hike the rocks with him. If you see your dog panting excessively, drooling, and acting fatigued, he may be overheating.  To prevent possible heatstroke, immediately stop all exertion, offer cool water, and find a cool place to rest.

Please do not allow your dog to cool off or drink out of the vernal pools. The pools contain a fragile ecosystem with rare plants and should not be disturbed. 

VERNAL POOLS

The “islands” of vegetation on the bare granite summit of Enchanted Rock are some of the most ecologically significant and severely threatened features of this state natural area. Known as soil islands, weather pits, gammas or vernal pools, these patches of vegetation on bare rock develop in depressions formed by weathering over thousands of years.

Because of the fragile nature of vernal pools, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to make sure visitors are aware of their significance. Too often they are perceived as nothing more than convenient rest areas or even “bathrooms” for people and pets, and are subject to trampling, littering and other forms of waste. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ENTERING OR ALLOWING PETS IN WEATHER PITS UNDER ANY CONDITION. Enjoy and observe these special features only from their granite margins – STAY ON THE ROCK. Thank you for protecting an important part of the Enchanted Rock experience. To learn more about the vernal pools at ERSNA, click here

Enchanted Rock Scouts Boy Scout leaders in the early 1900's take a break.	Early 1900's Enchanted Rock Social The park has been popular with visitors for many years.

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