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Sep 12
Join a ranger or volunteer for a morning hike on our most popular trail.
Come see why our 0.8-mile Summit Trail brings in crowds from around the world! Rangers and/or volunteers will lead a guided hike to the top of Enchanted Rock. This challenging trail climbs 425 feet in elevation and features many unique geologic features, as well as beautiful panoramic views of the park and surrounding Llano Uplift.
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead
Bring: Hiking boots or shoes with good tread, water (32 oz per hour per person), binoculars, sunscreen, appropriate attire.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: There is no registration required for this event.
All programs subject to cancellation due to weather or emergency. In the case of rainfall or wet conditions on the granite, Summit Trail will close and rangers will cancel the Guided Summit Hike.
Sep 12
Bring your telescope or binoculars and join us for a night of star viewing at Enchanted Rock!
Set out your blankets, turn off your phones, and prepare for a night of stargazing at our International Dark Sky Park.
Join the Hill Country Astronomers for a tour through space. Multiple telescopes will be set up in Parking Lot 1 for viewing stars, star clusters, galaxies and more! NOTE: This is NOT a night hike. Star Parties are stationary programs.
As an International Dark Sky Park, Enchanted Rock boasts some of the darkest skies in this part of Texas, which means the stars at night ARE big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.
Meet: Park in Lot 2 (Summit Trail parking), and hike over the low water crossing to Parking Lot 1. Let us know if you need any special accommodations!
Bring
Your imagination
Lawn chair (optional)
Weather-appropriate clothing
Flashlight (preferably with a red lens; mainly for walk back to vehicle/campsite)
Binoculars
Telescopes (arrive around 7:15 to set up while there's still light)
Please no white flashlights or cell phone use while at the Star Party (it can take 20-30 minutes for eyes to adjust from bright light to darkness). Red tinted lights are permitted.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Register: If you have a Microsoft account, you may register on our Form. Otherwise, come back to check this page on the day of the event for updates or cancellations.
All programs are weather dependent.
If you are arriving before or after office hours, you will need to use the self-pay station or kiosk to obtain your park entrance permit. These are located at the front of the office.
Sep 13
Take a hike through time with a geologist and learn more about ERSNA and how to make any hike a GEOLOGY HIKE! An hour plus of fairly easy hiking and observing, starting at the Summit Trail gazebo.
This 1.0-mile hike around the lower parts of Enchanted Rock will introduce visitors to the geology of the area, and show you the world through the eyes of a geologist.
Meet: Gazebo at the base of Summit Trail
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Purchase day passes online ahead of time to guarantee entry.
Registration: Email Hannah Pickens ahead of time to reserve your spot.
Sep 13
Join park volunteer Mark at the Gazebo and learn about the rocks and minerals that make our magical natural area so ENCHANTING!
Volunteer Mark will be answering questions, displaying samples, and sharing explanations about the geologic forces that produced our resident exfoliation domes. Come learn about granite, schist, gneiss, and more!
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be reserved or purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: There is no registration required for this event.
Sep 18
Join a ranger for a guided hike at the newest addition to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, to the north of the main park.
Join a ranger for a 1.6-mile guided hike to Aplite Pond at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area’s newly opened Backcountry Area. Advance registration is required for this hike, and attendance will be capped at 25 visitors.
Bring: Water, good hiking shoes, sun protection
Meet: Enchanted Rock Campground Shower building (Visitors will drive and enter the Backcountry Area with the Ranger).
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Purchase day passes online ahead of time to guarantee entry.
Registration: Email Hannah Pickens ahead of time to reserve your spot.
Sep 19
Join a ranger or volunteer for a morning hike on our most popular trail.
Come see why our 0.8-mile Summit Trail brings in crowds from around the world! Rangers and/or volunteers will lead a guided hike to the top of Enchanted Rock. This challenging trail climbs 425 feet in elevation and features many unique geologic features, as well as beautiful panoramic views of the park and surrounding Llano Uplift.
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead
Bring: Hiking boots or shoes with good tread, water (32 oz per hour per person), binoculars, sunscreen, appropriate attire.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: There is no registration required for this event.
All programs subject to cancellation due to weather or emergency. In the case of rainfall or wet conditions on the granite, Summit Trail will close and rangers will cancel the Guided Summit Hike.
Sep 20
Join a ranger for a 2.0-mile guided hike at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area’s southern property, acquired September of 2024. Registration is required.
This hike will take visitors on a moderate 2.0-mile hike showcasing the natural beauty of the Enchanted Rock area, including vernal pools, native plants and animals, rolling grasses, and oak savanna. Hikers should expect and come prepared for off-trail hiking. Advance registration is required for this hike, and attendance will be capped at 25 visitors.
Bring: Water, long pants, good hiking shoes, layers
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Purchase day passes online ahead of time to guarantee entry.
Registration: Email Hannah Pickens ahead of time to reserve your spot. Please note: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. THE LAST DAY TO EMAIL AND REGISTER YOUR PARTY FOR THIS EVENT IS THE SUNDAY PRIOR TO THE HIKE.
Sep 26
Join a ranger or volunteer for a morning hike on our most popular trail.
Come see why our 0.8-mile Summit Trail brings in crowds from around the world! Rangers and/or volunteers will lead a guided hike to the top of Enchanted Rock. This challenging trail climbs 425 feet in elevation and features many unique geologic features, as well as beautiful panoramic views of the park and surrounding Llano Uplift.
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead
Bring: Hiking boots or shoes with good tread, water (32 oz per hour per person), binoculars, sunscreen, appropriate attire.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: There is no registration required for this event.
All programs subject to cancellation due to weather or emergency. In the case of rainfall or wet conditions on the granite, Summit Trail will close and rangers will cancel the Guided Summit Hike.
Sep 26
Join Ranger Bex for a fun afternoon of activities and adventure at Enchanted Rock!
Come join our Junior Ranger Academy and learn how to protect the outdoors, leave no trace, and hike like a park ranger. Plus earn the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Junior Ranger badge!
Meet: Day use tables at the Interpretive Loop Trail
Bring: Water, sun protection, closed toed shoes. Junior Ranger Books and badges provided by park staff!
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: No advance registration is required for this event.
Sep 26
Join a ranger for an exploration of our most popular trail under the light of the September full moon!
Experience the nocturnal side of Enchanted Rock with our nighttime guided hike to the summit.
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: Email Hannah Pickens ahead of time to reserve your spot. Hikes will be capped at 20 guests.
Sep 27
Earth science at work inside Enchanted Rock SNA! Take a short hike with us to examine and learn about our resident EarthScope station.
What is an EarthScope Station? This is a geophysical instrument actively measuring motion of our North American tectonic plate, atmospheric moisture, and other properties of our surroundings. Our station is part of a significant international effort that obtains data for both near real time and long term forecasting of earth behaviors (such as earthquakes and weather) that affect us all. Volunteer Mark will lead a short (0.5-mile round trip) hike to our station, explain the significance of what we're seeing, and offer visitors the opportunity to examine science up close.
Meet: Campground shower building
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be purchased ahead of time on our website.
Bring: Good shoes for hiking, long pants, appropriate sun protection, water
Registration: Email Hannah Pickens ahead of time to reserve your spot. This program will be capped at 20 day use guests- campers need not make a reservation
Sep 27
Join park volunteer Mark at the Gazebo and learn about the rocks and minerals that make our magical natural area so ENCHANTING!
Volunteer Mark will be answering questions, displaying samples, and sharing explanations about the geologic forces that produced our resident exfoliation domes. Come learn about granite, schist, gneiss, and more!
Meet: Gazebo at the Summit Trailhead.
Cost: Free with park admission. Park admission is free with a Texas State Parks Pass. Day passes can be reserved or purchased ahead of time on our website.
Registration: There is no registration required for this event.
January is when Fredericksburg really shows its personality and the town’s creative, music-loving, wine-sipping spirit comes alive. This is a month made for wandering Main Street, lingering over a glass of Texas wine, and discovering why Fredericksburg should be at the top of your travel bucket list this year.
3, 2, 1... Happy New Year! There is no place like Fredericksburg to ring in 2027.