Enchanted Rock
STATE PARK NATURE PRESERVE
the
ENCHANTED HISTORY
Enchanted Rock has fascinated
humans for thousands of years. As
a result, it has inspired many stories
that endure today. Most of these are
rooted in fancy rather than fact.
Tonkawa Indians thought that ghost
fires flickered on top of the dome.
Odd creaking and groaning coming
from the dome frightened them.
But don’t worry! Geologists say
that the dome creaks and groans
as temperatures change. As for the
ghost fires, the rock glitters on clear
nights after rain. Scientists think the
glittering is reflections from collected
water or wet feldspar.
One story tells of an Indian maiden
who saw her tribe killed by an
enemy. She threw herself off the
top of Enchanted Rock, and her
spirit haunts the rock still. Another
romantic story tells of a young
Spanish soldier who rescued his true
love just as Comanches were about
to burn her at the base of the rock.
Welcome
Amenities to
Restrooms, Showers, Parking, Picnic
Areas, Campsites, Pet Permitted Areas,
Playgrounds, Fire Ring, Tent Pads, Water
Bottle Filling Stations, Park Store
Pricing
Adults: $8 Daily
Children 12 Years and Under: Free
Campsites with Water: $18 Nightly
Primitive Campsites: $14 Nightly
Group Camp: $100 Nightly
Things to Know
• Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Reservations are strongly encouraged Enchanted Rock
• Busy season is September to May
• All trails are open from 30 minutes before STATE PARK NATURE PRESERVE
sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset The Ancient Pink Granite Dome
• Burn Ban currently in affect
• To rock climb or boulder you must
check in at headquarters and sign the
climbing release waiver
Audrey’s
16710 Ranch Rd. 965
Fredericksburg, TX 78624 TEXAS
Phone: (830) 685-3636 Field Guide
Email: VisitErock@tpwd.texas.gov –•–
(Located 18 miles north of Fredericksburg.)
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Enchanted Rock has Major plant communities grow in
been designated an the park. Floodplains, mesquite
International Dark grasslands, open oak woodlands
from Audrey Sky Park. Its rural dark
sky also makes it one
and granite rock. The floodplains
have a mix of elm, pecan, black
of the best public history, hackberry, soapberry, and
E nchanted Rock is just how it’s name sounds, places for stargazing in oak. Mesquite grasslands are
magical, mystical and enchanted. The beauty Central Texas. The park are covered with three-awn,
of the ancient pink granite dome cannot be has taken extreme grama, Texas wintergrass, panicum, sandbur
captured in words. But the numbers speak The park hosts Rock Star measures to ensure grass and mesquite trees. Open oak woodlands
for themselves, around 250,000 people visit Parties to learn about the dark night skies, are decorated with post, live and blackjack
the park each year. The attraction to the park constellations and see which allows the Milky
comes from the history, wildlife, activities,
oaks, and black hickory in moister areas. As you
shooting stars. Way to still be seen. walk the trail, you may notice gray, black, green
and the myths and legends that surround the
and orange patches growing flat on the rocks.

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park. Enchanted Rock is over 1.1 billion years
old, hence why the word ancient is so often These are lichen. Lichens grow very slowly;
miles of hiking trails. The a four-inch patch of gray shield-lichen could
used to describe the park. Long ago humans
lived at Enchanted Rock, 12,000 years ago to featured trails include Walnut be a thousand years old! Rock quillwort looks
be exact. There is something about knowing Springs Trail, Scenic View Trail, like a very short, thin-leaved, pale green grass
where the park started to where it is now, that Loop Trail, Interpretive Loop, growing in the vernal pools. It sticks out of the
adds to the excitement of visiting. Being born Frontside Trail, Summit Trail, water about .5 to 2 inches at most. This small,
and raised in Texas has drawn me to Texas Echo Canyon Trail, Connecting endangered plant grows only in Central Texas,
history and Enchanted Rock is engulfed in Trail, Base Trail, Turkey Pass
Texas history. Interestingly enough, the Texas
in the fragile environment of the vernal pools.
Trail, and Buzzard’s Roost Trail. Be sure to download the Interpretive Trail Guide
State Capitol was built from the same stone Check out the Trails Map for
that makes up Enchanted Rock. Whether you before your visit to help locate the different plant
locations and lengths of each species that inhabit the park.
are drawn to hiking, rock climbing, stargazing
trail. Allocate 2-3 hours for
or observing nature, Enchanted Rock is the
perfect place for your next visit. My first trip hiking on your visit.
to Enchanted Rock was nothing short of
breathtaking and it is easily my favorite state
park across Texas, possibly even the country. There are several
There are 44 climbing routes animals that can
at Enchanted Rock for visitors seen in the park. The
to enjoy. Each climb differs in species that you are
Whether you relax on a difficulty ranging from 5.0 to most likely to spot are
blanket or sit at a picnic 5.11 according to the Yosemite rock and fox squirrels,
table, food just tastes better Decimal System. Higher ratings armadillos, rabbits,
outside! Enchanted rock indicate higher difficulty and vise white-tailed deer,
offers several designated versa. Free climbing is permitted lizards, vultures &
picnic areas for you to enjoy in the park; the placement of birds.
your afternoon. And always bolts, pitons or other devices that
remember to keep your parks deface the rock in any manner is
beautiful by following the not allowed. CLIMB CLEAN!
Leave No Trace principles.