What it's like hiking new Enchanted Rock property
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A view of the new northern expansion of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
Guided hikes at the new expanded areas of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offer visitors a chance to see a state park while it's still taking shape.
The big picture: Two state parks — Bear Creek and Post Oak Ridge — and one expansion at Enchanted Rock are in the works in the Texas Hill Country under a fund voters approved in 2023.
- While full development will take years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department now offers activities like guided hikes and public hunts within a year of purchasing properties, as it has at Post Oak Ridge and Enchanted Rock's expanded area.
State of play: I recently took a guided hike on a portion of the more than 3,000 acres that the state bought in January 2025 for Enchanted Rock.
- North of the main park's pink granite dome, the new area was previously a private game ranch used for hunting, a ranger told my hiking group.
Zoom in: I learned how private land owners can pave the way for public conservation through the way they care for the land. The prior owner of the game ranch ensured animals didn't over-graze. They also created a small pond in a space where it could flow naturally.
- The ranger spoke about how controlled burns can lessen the impact of wildfires while encouraging new growth. I drove to the hike through a recently burned section, and it was stunning to see bright green poking through the ground around areas that were still charred.
My experience: The new northern property is spotted with granite rocks that are smaller and of different coloring than the large pink dome that Enchanted Rock visitors are familiar with.
- I climbed some rocks on a small hill for a great view of the pond and the Hill Country landscape encompassing it.
- It made me think about how small we really are in the midst of such a vast and breathtaking environment — even if it doesn't always seem that way.
What's next: The next guided hike at the northern property at Enchanted Rock starts at 10am Sunday. There's one at the new southern property on March 22.
- Email the ranger ahead of time to secure a spot. You'll also need to reserve a day pass.