How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Enchanted Rock
This is part of my Girl’s Guide to Enchanted Rock series! Be sure to check out the other posts in this category before planning your trip.
Ladies, Enchanted Rock is a place you will love. I bet many of y’all have been there already and can surely attest to what I’m saying! You may think you have seen the best of Texas — but until you are standing on top of this rock, soaking in the 360-degree panorama of the Hill Country and enjoying a cool morning breeze, you don’t know how magnificent our state can be.
This park is truly a gem.
Here are some pointers for making the most of your visit!
Best Time of Year to Go
WILFLOWER SEASON! Late February through mid April – the last weekend in March was peak wildflower season this year and the weather was perfect.
NOTE: This is also Spring Break so it is insanely busy…just be sure you are there early in the AM for a day hike or have a camp site reservation.
Best Trails to Hike
- See my post Stunning Hiking Trails of Enchanted Rock for the best ones and lots of photos!
When to Book a Campsite
- For March: book by April of the previous year
- For other times of the year: 10 months in advance
How to Book a Campsite
What Camp Sites Are Like
- Walk in campsites recommended (break down of available sites here)
- Each walk-in campsite has a shelter, picnic table, post for hanging your trash/food/lantern, a fire ring, and a charcoal grill
- FYI not all the campsites are right next to the cars – you have to walk a little ways (about a quarter of a mile) to them
- The campsites are VERY secluded which is nice!
- They are not large, and can only fit 2 6-person tents so if you plan on going with a group or family, reserve 2 campsites and arrive early enough to get them together
- You will be assigned campsites upon arrival so if you want pick of the litter, get there early.
- Campsite 22 is awesome!!
- 30 is impossible to find
- 29 – 32 are really close together and not as scenic, I do not recommend. However if you have a large group these are great because they are very close together!
Suggested Itinerary
Friday
- 2pm park arrival and check in
- Afternoon – campsite set up, short hike before sunset on the loop trail to the frontside trail (described in this post)
- Evening – Build a fire, cook dinner, hang out around the camp fire and ROAST S’MORES!!!
- Late night stargazing before bed!
Saturday
- Sunrise hike to the top via Summit Trail
- Explore Loop Trail on the way back to the camp site
- Big brunch
- Post-breakfast s’mores because, why not?
- Relax around camp
- Late afternoon hike or fishing in Moss Lake
- Cook dinner on the Dutch oven
- Campfire stories
Sunday
- Another sunrise hike or fishing excursion (or sleep in!)Pack up the campsite and headed home
Alternative 1-night Itinerary
Saturday
- Noon picnic in Fredericksburg (at Marketplatz in center of town)
- 2pm check in and campsite set up
- Afternoon – short hike
- Evening – relax around campsite, cook dinner and make s’mores!
Sunday
- Sunrise hike to top
- Take Echo Canyon and Loop trail on route back to camp site
- Lunch
- Pack up camp site and head home
Alternative Non-Camping Itinerary
Spend the weekend in a Bed & Breakfast in the Fredericksburg area and do an early morning day hike Saturday or Sunday at Enchanted Rock! Spend the rest of your time shopping in Fredericksburg’s charming shops, eating good food, and driving around to see the wildflowers.
Official Park Webpage
Getting There
Here’s the Google Map to it: https://goo.gl/maps/mre61PrqB4Q2
- From Austin: 1.5 hours — I recommend taking 290 on the way there and 71 on the way back, for a nice change of scenery
- From San Antonio: 1.5 hours via I-10 to Hwy 87
- From Dallas: 4 hours via Hwy 281
- From Houston: 4 hours via I-10 to 290
Other things to do in the area
- Shop in Fredericksburg, TX – 15 minutes away
- Brunch at Fredericksburg Herb Farm – a must do!
- Fredericksburg wineries
- Johnson City antique shopping
- LBJ State Park & Historic Site
Other Notes and Tips
- You can buy firewood there for $6 a bundle
- No dogs on summit trail (Boo! No fun! So lame!) — dogs are allowed on other trails, however.
- Arrival time: 2pm is check in but it is good to be there early for prime pick of campsites
Hope you enjoy your visit and have a fabulous time! If you have tips you want to share, leave them in the comments. We are fortunate to have such a stunning place in Texas, and it is definitely worth the drive.
Other posts in A Girl’s Guide to Enchanted Rock series:
