If there’s one thing you should see in Texas it’s Enchanted Rock. At least, according to Josh Abbott Band’s “My Texas.” It appears as the first line of the song.
If you haven’t climbed up to Enchanted Rock,
Drank a cold Shiner down in Luckenbach,
Taken your baby to the River Walk,
Then you ain’t met My Texas yet.
You can easily check off Enchanted Rock (16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, Texas) as it’s about a 90-minute drive from our Dripping Springs community. The pink granite mountain makes a great adventure.
About Enchanted Rock
Although its address is in Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock is about 18 miles north of the town. The pink rock is in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Gillespie and Llano Counties. It spans 1,644 acres and has an elevation of 1,825 feet above sea level. Designated a Texas Historic Landmark, the rock is the largest pink granite monadnock in the U.S. In 1971, the National Park Service designated it as a National Natural Landmark.
If you’re into camping, a 2017 MSN.com survey rated the park as the best campsite in Texas. The campsite has toilets, hot showers, and tent sites. Along with camping, the park has almost 11 miles of hiking trails as well as interpretive exhibits, rock climbing, and a nature trail. It’s also a great place to have a picnic, watch birds, geocache, and stargaze. Although the park has a store, they recommend you bring your own drinking water.
Plan Your Trip to Enchanted Rock
Be aware there is no swimming or bikes allowed on trails. Trails open 30 minutes after sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset. The park welcomes visitors daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm. They recommend making reservations to guarantee entry. If the park reaches capacity, it closes. But it won’t affect visitors who have day passes or camping reservations.
Before planning your trip, visit the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area website for scheduled trail and park closures. Rock climbers will need to sign a climbing release form and check-in at park headquarters. The website also lists outfitters and guide services that lead rock climbing tours. You can also request a hike or special group tour conducted by a park ranger.
If you’d like to extend your trip beyond Enchanted Rock, head to Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture. The town features more than 50 wineries and hundreds of cozy bed and breakfasts. Its historic district appears on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas.
Do you love nature and everything the Texas Hill Country has to offer like Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock? And, you want to live close enough to Austin? Check out Caliterra, a master-planned community with new homes in Dripping Springs.
