Exploring The New Enchanted Rock Property
After grabbing a morning smoothie at Juiceland, my boyfriend and I drove an hour and a half to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to attend a guided hike of the newly acquired southern property.
Before we dive into the hike, let’s take a quick look back at what has been going on at Enchanted Rock and why we were headed there in the first place.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Expansion
Enchanted Rock, also nicknamed ERock, recently acquired a new 630-acre property that was once a ranch just down the road from the state natural area. In 2024, a park staff member noticed a "For Sale" sign and informed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about it.
As of January 2025, Enchanted Rock SNA has also purchased an additional 3,073-acre property adjacent to the park in Llano County. This expansion will more than double the size of Texas’s most popular state park. It also ensures that the breathtaking views from the top of the dome remain intact and allows more visitors to explore this special part of the Hill Country.
Guided Hike of Enchanted Rock’s South Property
On this 2-mile guided hike, park ranger Hannah led us through the 630-acre property just south of the main park. We learned about the land’s previous uses and saw remnants of its past. After passing an old home, horse stables, and a small vineyard, we made our way to the more natural areas of the land.
Along the way, we saw animal bones from a red hawk and a white-tailed deer (a clear sign that wildlife is thriving). We stopped at our first rock formation and examined a vernal pool filled with tiny organisms.
Finally, we went off-trail to the highest point on the property. From the top, you can see all the peaks in the area. Unfortunately, the overcast weather limited our visibility that day.
Vernal Pool
Highest Point on the Property
Tip: Take the recommendation for long pants seriously! You’ll walk through brush and cacti that could scratch you.
How to Sign Up for a Guided Hike at Enchanted Rock
Signing up for a guided hike at ERock is easy! Visit the events page for the park on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. The hike is listed as “Guided Hike at New Enchanted Rock Property.” After choosing a date, be sure to reserve a day pass.
The park ranger will email all the details you need for the hike about a week beforehand, including the exact location, what to bring, etc. Pets are not allowed.
Whether you’re passing through Texas or a local, I’d highly recommend exploring this land before it fully transforms. How often can you say you’ve seen a part of a park before thousands of others have?
Thank you, Texas Parks and Wildlife, for staying true to your mission and conserving our land for future generations to enjoy!
