Breath-taking,
awesome, intriguing, and beautiful ... words alone cannot adequately
describe Enchanted Rock State Natural Area with its massive dome of
pink granite. Indian lore swirls around Enchanted Rock, which
led to its name in the 1800s. Today, visitors come to make the short
but fascinating trek up to the rock's summit, where they are treated
to panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country. Scenic trails along
the rock's base are especially pretty in the spring, and high cliffs
on the northwest side of the main dome attract rock climbers.
The Park
A scenic landscape dominated by massive dome-shaped hills of pinkish granite marks the
location of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The site is in the heart of the Texas Hill
Country and is located in Gillespie and Llano Counties.
The 1,643-acre park was purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in
cooperation with the Nature Conservancy in 1978. Preserved and operated as a state natural
area, this park provides opportunities for hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping,
picnicking and nature study.
Because of its unusual geological features and archeological significance, Enchanted Rock
was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in
1971, and was included in the National Register of Historic Places August 29, 1984.
Enchanted Rock - The Basics
Facilities and Activities
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Camping: walk-in campsites (no RVs) with water only;
also primitive sites reached by backpacking. Each site is intended to accommodate 8
persons or less.
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Walk-in Tent Camping: sites with tent pads, picnic
tables, fire rings; a water faucet is nearby; restroom with showers (hot); camping
equipment must be carried a short distance from vehicle.
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Primitive Campsites: three separate areas for
backpackers along trail; composting toilets available.
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Picnicking: special areas for day-use with picnic
tables, BBQ grills.
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Group Facilities: group picnic area with pavilion.
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Hiking Trails: 8.4 miles of hiking trails. A
four-mile trail winds around the granite formations and a short, steep trail leads up to
the top of Enchanted Rock; foot traffic only.
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Rock Climbing: rock climbers must check in at
headquarters; route maps and climbing rules available. No bolts, pitons, or other
rock-damaging equipment allowed.
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Texas State Parks Store: unique gifts, books,
etc.
For all reservations, call 512.389.8900.
For information only, call 800.792.1112.
Web site:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock/
Geology
Enchanted Rock is a well-known geological feature of the Central Mineral Region of
Texas. The pink granite that makes up Enchanted Rock has a measured age of one billion
years and is among the oldest exposed rock in North America.
Through the eons, overlying ancient metamorphic and younger sedimentary rocks have been
stripped away by erosion, thus exposing an extensive igneous feature known as the
Enchanted Rock batholith. Enchanted Rock proper is but one small exposed part of this
ancient batholith and is called an exfoliation dome because of the way plates of rock
break away (exfoliate) from the main dome along curved joints. Geologists also call
Enchanted Rock an "inselberg"an island mountain, for obvious reasons.
Other exposed masses of igneous material both within and around the park represent
outcrops of the Enchanted Rock batholith (which covers about 90 square miles) and occur as
angular blocky hills. This variation is due to differences in the composition of the magma
and its cooling history prior to exposure.
Weathering has produced a variety of features including small circular depressions with
raised rims called rock doughnuts, shallow depressions from an inch up to 50 feet in
length called gnammas or weather pits, and incised flutes and channels on the surface of
the granite rock. The mushroom shaped formations found throughout the park were formed by
freeze-thaw weathering or by other processes related to chemical weathering in ancient
soils that may have once covered these features.
Other features of geological interest include Enchanted Rock Fissure that developed under
talus blocks along a sheeting joint. It is one of the largest known granite caves. Smaller
structures called A-tent caves have also been formed by sections of exfoliated sheets.
Plant Life
Large areas of apparently bare rock belie the variety and abundance of plant life at
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Over 500 different species grow here, from colorful
lichens on the rock surface to tall elms, pecans, and hickories along Sandy Creek. Typical
plants include live oak, Texas persimmon, prickly pear, agarita, and mesquite in
abundance; but the geology and soils of the area provide habitat for a distinctive
association of plants and animals.
Post oak, blackjack oak, and Texas or black hickory are characteristic of east Texas; yet
cat's-claw mimosa, beargrass, and soap tree yucca of Trans-Pecos Texas also occur here. A
tropical fern, Blechnum occidentale,is found only at Enchanted Rock and isolated areas in
tropical Florida in the United States. Two other plants make their home only in the
granite region of Central Texas. The basin bellflower grows along the lower slopes in
spring/early summer, and during wet periods rock quillwort fills vernal pools with a
carpet of green shoots.
The four major plant communities of Enchanted Rock are open oak woodland, mesquite
grassland, floodplain, and granite rock community. Live oak, post oak, and blackjack oak
dominate the oak woodland with black hickory in moister areas. Common shrubs are Texas
persimmon, agarita, white brush, and prickly pear. Bluestem, three-awn, and grama grass
often are found in the shade of the oaks, while American tripogon is more common on
gravelly slopes which are seasonally wet. The mesquite grassland, once an area of
bluestem, is now covered with three-awn, grama, Texas wintergrass, panicum, and sand bur,
along with invading mesquite. Elm, pecan, hackberry, black hickory, soapberry, and oaks
characterize the floodplains. Common shrubs are white buckeye, agarita, Texas persimmon, Roosevelt
weed, and buttonbush. Grasses and sedges as well as annual and perennial herbs form the
ground cover. Some of these are water bentgrass, late eupatorium, Indiangrass bushybeard
bluestem, frost weed, and switchgrass. The granite outcrops support many lichens; the most
common species gives a black color to rock crevices and pools.
In spring, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, yellow coreopsis, bladderpod, and basin
bellflower bloom.
Wildlife
Wildlife in the park is characteristic of the Edwards Plateau; however, the park also
represents a meeting ground for species representative from the eastern and western parts
of Texas.
Both rock and fox squirrels are common, as are armadillos, rabbits, and other small
animals. Lizards and turkey vultures are conspicuous on and above the rock year-round.
White-tailed deer are frequently observed and the park's bird life is varied and abundant.
A bird checklist for the park is available upon request.
History
Although Indians may have come to this area as early as 10,000 or 11,000 years ago,
evidence for later occupations is more specific and abundant. Archaeological remains are
common in the park area and indicate that the Enchanted Rock area was attractive to
different groups of prehistoric peoples over a long period of time. A separate brochure
available at the park headquarters more fully describes the archaeology at Enchanted Rock.
The first well-documented explorations of this area did not begin until 1723 when the
Spanish intensified their efforts to colonize Texas. During the mid-1700s, the Spaniards
made several trips to the north and northwest of San Antonio, establishing a mission and
presidio on the San Saba River and carrying out limited mining on Honey Creek near the Llano
River. European discovery of Enchanted Rock however, is attributed to a group of
Anglo-Texans led by Captain Henry S. Brown, who were pursuing a party of fleeing Indians.
After several owners, a league and labor containing the park site was sold to Samuel A.
Maverick in 1844 who patented the land in 1851.
German immigrants colonized this area beginning in 1846 and established the town of Fredericksburg
that had a population of 966 by 1847. These early pioneers suffered the privations and
hardships of frontier life but enjoyed a comparatively peaceful relationship with the
Indians because of a treaty with the Comanche made in 1847 by John O. Meusebach,
Commissioner-General of the German Emigration Company.
Location
Enchanted Rock is located just 24 miles South of Llano (FM 16 South to RR 965).
E-Rock
Images from Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock: The Haunted Mountain of Texas
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock Offers a Variety of Hikes
Enchanted Rock - The Right Way
Nearby Points of Interest
Fredericksburg is only a few minutes' drive from the park and has many attractions for
visitors and sightseers. The restored Nimitz Hotel is a landmark on Main Street and is the
core museum and headquarters for the Admiral Nimitz Museum State Historical Park.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical
Park and the adjacent National Historical
Park are located near Stonewall some 16 miles east of Fredericksburg and feature the
LBJ Ranch, the Sauer-Beckmann living history farmstead, the Johnson Birthplace and the
family cemetery where the former President is buried.
Other state parks in this scenic area include Pedernales Fall, 42 miles east of
Fredericksburg; Blanco which is 37 miles southeast of Fredericksburg; Guadalupe River
which is south of Blanco; and Kerrville which is 45 miles south of the park. Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern state
parks are approximately 25 miles east of Llano within an hour's drive to the northeast of
Enchanted Rock.
Important Reminders
Remember, at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, do not disturb plant or animal fire,
geological features or Indian or historical artifacts. These park resources are protected
by law!
Bring your own firewood.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Route 4, Box 170
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
325.247.3903
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