Enchanted Rock opens rugged new Backcountry Area to hikers July 7

FREDERICKSBURG — Hikers looking for a tougher version of Enchanted Rock will get their chance starting Monday, when the state natural area opens its new Backcountry Area for self-guided day use for the first time.

The roughly 640-acre expansion, tucked behind the park’s iconic granite dome, has been years in the making as part of the state’s Centennial Parks initiative. Monday’s opening marks the first phase of public access — and it’s not for the casual visitor.

There’s no parking lot in the Backcountry. Visitors have to park at the main Enchanted Rock headquarters and hike about two miles through the existing park before reaching the pedestrian gate that leads into the new area.

“This first wave of development will be a good fit for true adventurers who want a more rugged experience than what they’ve been currently experiencing at Enchanted Rock,” Superintendent Doug Cochran said in a statement. “Future phases will see closer parking so people of other experience levels can enjoy the beauty of the Backcountry.”

Under the Centennial Parks development timeline, guided hikes into new park expansions typically begin around the 12-month mark, with self-guided access opening around 18 months in. Enchanted Rock’s Backcountry Area is following that pattern.

Know before you go

The Backcountry keeps its own hours — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — which differ from the main park’s schedule, so hikers headed to the new section should check both before they go.

Shade is scarce across most of Enchanted Rock, and the Backcountry is no exception. Park staff are urging hikers to treat the rugged trails seriously: bring plenty of water and salty snacks, wear sun protection like long sleeves and sunscreen, hike with a buddy, leave a hiking plan with someone, and carry a cellphone. TPWD’s full heat-safety guidance is posted on the department’s website.

Two water refill stations are available in the new area — one at the entrance and a second at the trail intersection of Ringtail Loop and Songbird Trail, near the center of the property. A portable restroom is set up at that central station as well.

New trail maps covering the expansion are available at Enchanted Rock’s headquarters and online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

For more information, visit the park’s page on the TPWD website.