Standing tall and proud in the middle of the hill country is Enchanted Rock. This pinkish, red granite mound is considered to be a Texas treasure. From entrance fees to hiking trails, our guide to Enchanted Rock State Park is here to help you plan your perfect trip. Dare we even say you are sure to be enchanted?
When to visit:
Enchanted Rock is open year-round and their doors are open for daily visits from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Spring:
Spring is our favorite time of year to visit. We love spring for three reasons, the cooler temperatures, the wildflowers, and the lack of crowds. The one exception to this is the week of Spring Break, so make sure to check when schools are out because this is a popular destination for families.
Summer:
Like most destinations, summer is by far the most popular time to visit. If you are planning on visiting during the months of June, July, or August, make sure to book all reservations in advance. Summer is also the hottest time of year to visit. Texas summers can be brutal with temperatures hitting over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure to come prepared and pack plenty of water and sunscreen.
Fall:
With kids going back to school and the temperatures starting to drop, fall can be a great time to visit. If you are planning a trip during this fall for a holiday vacation like Thanksgiving, we still recommend booking in advance. Any holiday is bound to attract more visitors.
Winter:
Winter is by far the least crowded time to visit. The cooler temperatures can make hiking more comfortable, but camping might be a bit cold at night and the days are shorter meaning there is less time to explore during the day.
How to get to enchanted rock:
Enchanted Rock is in Fredericksburg, Texas. Most GPS or map applications will accept “Enchanted Rock” as the destination, but the exact address is 16710 Ranch Rd. 965 Fredericksburg, TX 78624. The closest airports are in Austin and San Antonio. Both have rental car options available.
- Austin: 96 miles, 1-hour 40-minute drive
- San Antonio: 87 miles, 1-hour 30-minute drive
- Dallas: 234 miles, 4-hour drive
Entrance Fees:
The entrance fees to Enchanted Rock are charged by the person, not the car. It is $8.00 dollars for adults, those thirteen and older, and it is free for children, those twelve and younger. Enchanted Rock is a popular destination and will turn visitors away when they reach max capacity. In order to prevent this from happening to you, we highly suggest you order your tickets online in advance.
If you plan on visiting other Texas state parks, we suggest purchasing the Texas State Park Pass. For only $70 dollars a year, you and anybody riding in the vehicle with you can gain entrance to all 89 state parks.
how long to stay:
Enchanted Rock State Park is a relatively small park. It should not take you longer than a day to complete. We suggest making a weekend trip out to the Texas hill country and spending one of your days at Enchanted Rock. The rest of your time can be spent shopping, dining, and exploring the historic German town of Fredericksburg.
Nearby attractions:
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Wine Vineyards: Grape Creek Vineyards and Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten
- Peach Orchards: Donald Eckhardt Orchards and Jenschke Orchard
- Old Tunnel State Park
- Garner State Park
What to do in enchanted rock:
Hiking:
While Enchanted Rock is a relatively small park, there are still over ten miles of hiking trails to explore. All of which are fairly short and family-friendly. The following trails are the most popular.
- Loop Trail: The trail is the longest trail in the park and takes
you around the perimeter. It is a great way to see everything Enchanted Rock has to
offer.
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 344 feet
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes (Always keep your dog on a leash and pick up after them)
- Summit Trail: No visit to Enchanted Rock is complete without hiking
to the top and rewarding yourself with sweeping views. This trail is short but
steep, so always make sure to watch your step.
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 419 miles
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: No
- Interactive Loop: This short and easy loop is great for families.
Throughout the trail, you will find several informative signs that will teach you
all about the different plants and animals found in the area.
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain:
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet-Friendly: No
Rock Climbing
Sections of the park are open to rock climbing. If this is something you are interested in, you must first visit the park’s headquarters and sign the climbing release form. Then you will receive the park’s climbing rules and route maps. The following are tours that can guide you through rock climbing in Enchanted Rock.
- Austin Ascents, austinascents@gmail.com or (805) 350-8087
- Outpost Wilderness Adventure, info@owa.com or (512) 731-7596
- Rock-About Climbing Adventures, Adam@Rock-About.com or (512) 415-0804
- Texas Climbing Adventures, info@texasclimbingadventures.com or (512) 590-2988
Ranger Led Programs:
To learn more about the history, culture, geography, and nature of the park, Enchanted Rock provides Ranger Led Programs. You can check out a list of future events they have planned here.
Star Gazing:
Due to the lack of light pollution, Enchanted Rock is a great spot to go stargazing. You can even attend one of their “rock star” parties, to learn more about constellations and shooting stars.
Where to stay:
Within the confines of the park, there are only camping options available. If you are more of a sleep in a bed and shower with hot water type of person, there are plenty of hotels and Airbnb amenities in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Campsite with Water:
These easily accessible, tent only, campsites will cost you $18 dollars a night. This does not include the daily entrance fee for each individual visitor. Each site can hold eight people and they have thirty-five sites available in the park. The campsite have the following amenities:
- Picnic Table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire Ring
- Tent Pad
- Nearby Water
- Nearby restrooms with showers
Primitive Campsites:
These campsites are within the park and must be hiked to in order to use. They cost $14 dollars a night, not including the daily entrance fee, and can hold up to four people. There are twenty total primitive campsites, eight near Moss Lake and twelve near Walnut Springs. Pets are allowed. While they do have composting toilets, there is no nearby water. The following are a list of rules that must be followed.
- No hammocks are allowed
- No ground fires
- Carry all trash out
Tips for Visiting Enchanted Rock State Park:
Pack Plenty of Water and Sunscreen:
There are areas of enchanted rock that have little to no shade. Make sure to come prepared and protect your skin with plenty of sunscreen. It is also important to always take care of your body and drink plenty of fluids. This is especially true when in direct sunlight and active.
Carpool:
If you are traveling with a group of people, we definitely suggest carpooling. There are a limited number of parking spots, and only having to park one car will make your trip easier.
Know their policy on pets:
Pets are only allowed in the day-use picnic area and on the Loop Trail. If you do bring your pet, please make sure to keep them on a leash and pick up after them.
Practice the Leave No Trace Principles:
Keeping our parks clean is so important. By following the Leave No Trace Principles you can do your part to protect our lands and wildlife. A great rule of thumb is to always leave it better than you found it. By staying on all hiking trails, picking up after yourself, and taking out any found trash, you can help keep Enchanted Rock State Park a beautiful place for future visitors.
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