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Enchanted Rock Loop

Fredericksburg, Texas

4.9/5
based on 20 reviews

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.

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Features

Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Picnic Area
Scenic

Enchanted Rock Loop Reviews

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.

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!

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

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