Enchanted Rock Loop
Fredericksburg, Texas
Details
Distance
5.13 miles
Elevation Gain
344 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Nick Tort
This 5.5 mile hike with minimal elevation gain gives you gorgeous 360° views of the Texas Hill Country. The summit has a lot of surface area, giving you the opportunity for a little privacy. This hike is great for all ages and is family and pet friendly (except for the summit).
Once inside the park, you can't miss either parking lots that are surrounded by picnic tables and well marked signs pointing towards the trails. There are also some public restrooms and a truck with some snacks. Once geared up, head straight towards the Summit Trail and begin your adventure!
The trail is incredibly easy to follow - there are signs at every turn along the way. You are making your way through small boulder fields and lush desert vegetation. Once you get onto the granite boulder itself, you will see pockets of lichen and lonesome tree patches seemingly growing straight out of the rock. The trail leads to the base of the boulder and it's left up to your imagination to pick your own path to the top.
The summit is huge so there are plenty of spaces to carve out some privacy as well as mini boulder fields that offer a break to the wide open expanse you will find yourself in. In any direction you look, you will be seeing miles of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Take out your camera, snap some photos, grab a snack and soak it all up.
On the descent, I recommend heading down the west face where Enchanted Rock meets Little Rock. Here you can see the power of the earth in action - big & small fractured pieces of granite are seemingly frozen in place as they have broken away from the top layer and have began sliding down the face. Enchanted Rock is an "exfoliation dome," meaning it has layers like an onion, and as the outer layers are pushed up by the base layers, they crack and fall away.
Head up onto Little Rock to look back at Enchanted to truly appreciate the unique beauty of it. Also keep an eye out for climbers making climbing their way up!
You can easily spend the better part of a day just exploring the summit and surrounding areas! If you have the opportunity to stay for sunset, well, now you may have struck granite gold!
Note: Dogs ARE allowed on the loop trail, but NOT allowed on the summit.
Download the Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Reviews
It was very challenging for someone that does not do hiking very often but it was amazing, the view of the Texas Hill Country. The vegetation coming from the rocks is also amazing!!
5.0
It's absolutely gorgeous and good for all ages. Plenty of parking and cool crystals everywhere
5.0
Pretty close day trip, I realized I was not in as good of shape as I thought, it’s a long steep climb to the top.
5.0
Went out to hike up the summit trail, but was told that dogs aren't allowed on the summit because they tend to fall and get stuck in between the rocks, totally understandable, just wish we got to do the summit hike. However there is a very nice 4 mile long trail that goes around the base of the mountain and up a few small ones. Beautiful streams and lovely landscapes. Just know that no furry friends are allowed on the summit!
4.0
We visited Enchanted Rock in November 2016, weather was great, we were able to climb up to the summit with our 2.5 years old daughter, we had a great time, landscape is amazing, the ride from San Antonio is worthy, bring a lot of water and some snacks, also save some energy to drive back. :)
4.0
I had no idea what to expect when my sister-in-law told me to visit this place. She had said how they used to take field trips here when she was in grade school and it was always the coolest thing. Well, that is certainly true. Enchanted rock is one of the most amazing places I've ever been to in the United States. Really, it's that incredible. Hiking up the somewhat steep side of the giant rock is absolutely surreal. Your equilibrium almost seems out of whack when you look back down at the base of the mountain. But once you're up on top, the view is astounding. You can see for miles around. Traveling back down the other side of the rock leads way to caverns and crevices which beg to be explored. Then, once back on the ground, you can explore the almost southwestern-desert nature of the surrounding trails. This is one MUST DO when in Texas.
5.0
Enchanted Rock is an awesome place to spend time with friends in the great outdoors. The avid hiker, camper, or photographer can all get their fix, and it's a place that can be equally enjoyed by beginners. Check it out!
5.0
Enchanted rock is such a breathtaking and rejuvenating place to go to with family or friends! I had so much fun exploring the whole summit and taking cool pics with friends. Would totally go back again
5.0
Great place to go! Have hiked it multiple times! Go when it's cool and not right after a rain. Dog friendly!
5.0
Enchanted Rock is absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend bringing a hydration pack as its a pretty steep hike. Awesome view at the top though!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Turkey Peak via Turkey Pass Trail
Enchanted Rock Summit Trail
Primitive Camp at Moss Lake
Catch a Sunset at Badu Park
Tour the Longhorn Caverns
Hike the Inks Lake State Park Trail
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy