Trail: Summit Trail
Hike Location: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Geographic Location: north of Fredericksburg, TX (30.49772, -98.82019)
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)
Date Hiked: February 2025
Overview: A steep out-and-back, mostly over bare granite, to the top of Enchanted Rock.
Park Information:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock
Hike Route Map:
https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=980298Photo Highlight:
Hike Video: (coming December 26)
Directions to the trailhead: From Fredericksburg, take RM 965 north 16.8 miles to the signed park entrance on the left. Turn left to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and park in any of the parking lots near the main trailhead.
The hike: Just as Colorado has
Pikes Peak,
Yosemite has Half Dome, and Georgia has
Stone Mountain, no landform screams Texas like Enchanted Rock. The bare granite dome's location nearly 20 miles from the closest town typifies the wide open rural landscape that much of Texas is known for. Yet in spite of its remote location, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area annually ranks as one of the most popular state parks in Texas. Of the 11 state parks I visited on my February 2025 hiking trip to Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is the only one that required me to buy a timed entrance permit.
The park's reputation is well-earned: a steep but manageable climb up bare granite rock leads to spectacular 360-degree views as far as the eye can see. The park was established in 1978 when the State of Texas bought 1640 acres from Charles Moss via The Nature Conservancy, and today Enchanted Rock is a National Natural Landmark. True to the land's designation as a state natural area rather than a state park, the site has limited amenities that include only a 35-site primitive campground and a few picnic tables.
What Enchanted Rock State Natural Area lacks in amenities it makes up for in trails: 8 trails totaling over 11 miles. The park offers several noteworthy hikes, but the park's signature hike is the Summit Trail described here; it is the only trail that leads to the top of Enchanted Rock. Though only 0.75 miles one-way, the Summit Trail involves climbing over steep bare rock, and you should allow at least 2 hours to hike the trail and take in the view from the top. This hike will be a hot and sunny one during the warmer months, so dress and hydrate accordingly.
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| Trailhead for Summit Trail |
From the restroom building and picnic shelter at the rear of the parking lot, pick up the signed Summit Trail, which begins as a wide dirt track. The Summit Trail descends some steps to dip through a wash that is dry much of the year before beginning its climb of Enchanted Rock. The scenery is very desert in nature with a few cedar/juniper trees and some prickly pear cactus, but the surroundings feature more rocks than plants throughout this hike.
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| Dirt/rock trail below the bare granite |
After climbing some stone steps through a rocky area, you reach the smooth bare granite at 0.4 miles. The Echo Canyon Trail exits left to cut across the corner of the bare rock, but our hike heads straight up the bare rock, as indicated by a wooden sign. The first 20 feet on the rock are the steepest of the climb; step slowly and make sure 1 step is solid before taking the next one. The park closes this trail after rain because wetness makes the rock too slippery for safe hiking, and shoes with good traction are necessary at all times.
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| Entering the bare granite |
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| Low cliff ahead |
There are no blazes or trail markings on the rock, so you have to get to the summit using whatever route seems most feasible; just keep heading up. Looking ahead after the first steep section, you can see a low cliff that you will have to get around. You could go around the cliff on either side, but switchbacking around the left side is slightly less steep and direct. Thus, I chose the left option.
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| US Coast and Geodetics Survey marker |
After climbing another steep section above the cliff, the grade moderates, indicating that the summit is near. Just shy of 0.75 miles, you reach the US Coast and Geodetics Survey metal disc marker that marks Enchanted Rock's summit. The summit is surprisingly flat given how hard you worked to get here, and it provides 360-degree views across the heart of Texas Hill Country. Lower bald granite domes dominate the foreground, including Little Rock to the west and Freshman Mountain to the east. Larger mountains stand in the distance. Some vernal pools dot the summit area, and the park brochure warns you not to disturb those fragile habitats. These are some of the best views in Texas, so take some time and enjoy them.
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| View west from summit |
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| View north from summit |
There is only 1 trail to Enchanted Rock's summit, so the only way down is the way you came up. Do not underestimate the descent: the vast majority of hiking accidents occur when the hiker is going downhill. Also, remember that there are no trail markings, and it is easy to get headed the wrong way on the bare rock. Keep an eye on the dirt trail below the rock leading back to the restroom building and picnic shelter, and walk downhill in the general direction of that trail to stay oriented in the right direction.
