Outbound Collective logo

The Best Hiking in San Marcos

Looking for the best hiking in San Marcos? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Marcos. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near San Marcos

  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Spring Lake Wetland Walk

    0.7 mi / 6 ft gain
    The Spring Lake Wetland Walk is a 0.7 mile loop hike located in The Meadows Center for Water and Environment. It's a great walk with a self-guided tour purposed for learning about the surrounding nature, wildlife, and invasive species. This area is not particularly great for exercising or anythin...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike the Spring Lake Preserve Loop

    4.31 mi / 380 ft gain
    The Spring Lake Preserve Trail is a 4.3 mile loop trail located within the The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos, Texas. The hike offers beautiful and scenic lake views. It's perfect for families and those of all ages. There are a wide variety of nature and wildlife spott...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Skink Link And Exogyrta Loop

    2.1 mi / 196 ft gain
    Skink Link and Exogyrta Loop is a 2.11 mile loop hike that takes you past scenic views located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Tonkawa And Blind Salamander Way Loop

    1.5 mi / 127 ft gain
    Tonkawa and Blind Salamander Way Loop is a 1.5 mile loop hike where you may see beautiful wild flowers located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Virginia Witte Way And Warbler Walk Loop

    0.6 mi / 36 ft gain
    Virginia Witte Way and Warbler Walk Loop is a 0.6 mile loop hike that takes you past scenic views located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Roadrunner, Centipede And Grey Fox Loop

    1.7 mi / 180 ft gain
    Roadrunner, Centipede and Grey Fox Loop is a 1.68 mile loop hike that's accessible year round located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Limbo, Dante, Old West, Beatrice, And Ovid East Loop

    5.0
    3 mi / 131 ft gain
    The Limbo, Dante, Old West, Beatrice, and Ovid East Loop is a 2.98 mile loop trail that begins in Prospect Park and makes a  loop around through the Purgatory Greenspace in San Marcos, Texas. The trail is mostly shaded and a little rocky at certain sections. However, this is a great hiking trail ...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Limbo, Dante, and Ripheus Loop

    2 mi / 98 ft gain
    The Limbo, Dante, and Ripheus Loop is a 2-mile loop hike in San Marcos, Texas found within the Purgatory Creek Green space. The trail is a filled with nature and is perfect for escaping the business of town. The trail is beautiful during the spring, with an abundance of wildflowers. It is mostly ...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Limbo Loop

    1 mi / 55 ft gain
    The Limbo Loop is a 1-mile loop hike in San Marcos, Texas found within the Purgatory Creek Green space. The trail is a filled with nature and wildlife. The trail is beautiful during the spring, with an abundance of wildflowers. It is mostly shaded, with few inclines. The trail is family and dog-...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Virgil's Trail

    0.5 mi / 26 ft gain
    Virgil's Trail is a 0.5 mile out and back hike that takes you past great forest setting located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Buckeye, Blue Stem And Blue Heron Loop

    1.7 mi / 157 ft gain
    Buckeye, Blue Stem and Blue Heron Loop is a 1.7 mile loop hike that takes you by a lake located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Blue Heron And Blue Stem Loop

    1.2 mi / 150 ft gain
    Blue Heron and Blue Stem Loop is a 1.18 mile loop hike where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near San Marcos, TX.
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Dante's, Lower Purgatory Creek and Blue Trail Loop

    2.74 mi / 249 ft gain
    Dante's, Lower Purgatory Creek and Blue Trail Loop is a 2.7 mile loop hike located in San Marcos, Texas. Located outside of downtown, it serves as a great nature trail for hiking, biking, and general exercise. It's primarily shaded and is a very moderate trail. It is not heavily trafficked, espec...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Purgatory Creek Natural Area Loop

    4.0
    7.77 mi / 568 ft gain
    Park in the dirt lot off of Hunter Road (see map) to access the trail. Trail is open year round and is dog-friendly. 
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike Lower Purgatory Creek Greenspace To Dante's Trail Loop

    3.5 mi / 173 ft gain
    The Lower Purgatory Creek Greenspace to Dante's Trail Loop is a 3.5 mile loop hike located in San Marcos, Texas. The trail is great for hiking, biking and general exercise. It's shaded for the most part. The trail is very rocky and uneven at certain points, but flat and smooth at others. It's a f...
    Read more
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Hike the Ringtail Ridge Trail

    4.0
    1.93 mi / 91 ft gain
    This trail is shared by hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and dog walkers. The trail is open for use year round, featuring beautiful wildflowers in the spring.  The trail can be slightly hard to spot - a good place to park is next to a church off Old Hwy 80, and a spur trail will take you t...
    Read more