Moss Lake Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

We didn't camp but checked out the camping areas

There is plenty to see and do here on multiple hiking trails. The Summit Trail to the top is a leg-burner at times but well worth the half-mile effort. Take your time to enjoy the views and the rock formation itself and you'll be able to make it.

We also did the Loop Trail, which is about 4.6 miles around the outside of the Granite Dome and it offers various views of the dome from different angles, which was neat to see.

Several other trails offer different experiences, too, but we'll have to check those out another day. This is a park we'll go back to. Note that you need reservations for timed entry and weekends are way busier than weekdays.

There is rustic camping available both near the parking lot and off of the hiking trails. The ones near the parking lot are just in a grassy area off the asphalt, so not peaceful at all. We thought Moss Lake Camping Area would be nice because you're tenting in clear view of the granite dome the whole time. Also nice that all the hike-in camping areas have vault toilets available.

Bring plenty of water because there is little shade anywhere. Do watch for snakes, we had a rattler on the Loop Trail when we went.

Plenty of parking but RVs would have a tough time maneuvering to anything but the half-dozen spots in the RV lot. And note that RVs cannot camp here. It is tent only, even in the parking lot camping area.

Also note the closest gas is about 18 miles away in Fredericksburg, and there is little to no cell service in much of the park (for Verizon and T-Mobile). If you need a strong signal, you'll have to make the climb up Summit Trail!

30 minutes out from downtown Fredericksburg for those not doing overnight stay. Prior to enter park there are many flashing signs stating you must have a reservation before entry. When entering park you can stay all day but come at designated entry time. Due to the popularity of the park and time of entry you could be required to park further away. The map is great reference to type of hiking/trails available but also to consider the weather because there is minimum to protect your from the elements. Also, if hiking in the summer I would be cautious hiking midday. I made back down before it hit 90 degrees but even going down I was using my water back. I saw several with toddlers go up part the summit but did not finish the hike. One person was not successful with their child in a hiking backpacks due to steepness of area and heat. If you are a expert hiker with children this is for you I consider this too difficult for toddlers without several breaks. The top really does have stunning views with cooler on this at the top with nice breezes.

Two things I liked:

1. The map is spot on and they have several warnings about considering hiking the summit.

2. The views are breath taking in beauty and exercise.

One thing I didn’t love:

1. It was really crowded in the more rocky areas which for short bit make it a potential ankle twister.

There are two different backcountry options in Enchanted Rock State Park. Moss Lake sites are very near to the... wait for it... Moss Lake! The sites are the most remote and away from the more crowded and reservable drive-in section of the park. You have to carry your gear (all water and food) 2 miles in. The trail is fairly level with just some rocky sections but nothing terribly steep or difficult. Walnut Springs is just a little shorter of a hike at 1.5 miles from the parking area. Both are easy to navigate and very well marked.

They’re very scenic back country sites and the grounds themselves are soft sand clearings, some more shaded than others. As I mentioned, you must pack in all supplies including water and remember to pack everything out. The plus is that there are composting toilets near the entrance to both grounds.

It’s $14/night plus a $10 entrance fee per person to the park. The annual Texas State Park Pass will waive that fee and you can possibly get discounts on camping.

The grounds are on the back side of enchanted rock so you’ll have excellent proximity to make the climb in the morning before the crowds arrive! It’s scenic and quiet and so worth the short hike on the loop trail to access these grounds.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is an excellent park to visit for the day or to camp for a few days. It is family friendly with some easy trails, great views and lots of areas to scramble over rock surfaces.

Book a reservation for a day pass for an overnight stay at least a week in advance or it is very likely that there will be not space and you will be turned away at the gate. Yes, even day passes routinely sell out 3 to 4 days in advance.

Enchanted Rock is a huge monolithic granite rock. Most people simply hike up the rock along the main trail. If you take the main route you will likely be following a line of other hikers until you reach the top. However, if you are a little more adventurous, I recommend that you hike along the Echo Canyon Trail until you see the BIG ROCK - you'll know it when you see it. Then cut through the brush and hike up the steep back side of the rock. You'll be rewarded with a more independent and secluded hike.

Of course the view from the top of the rock is why most people visit the park - it is great. You'll have a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. 

At the top of the rock venture toward the collection of boulders. You can scramble on top of the boulders, slide in between the boulders and if you can find the cave, you can immerse yourself within the boulders. You can find the cave by asking someone or looking for the X. Once you find the X you will need to drop down a crevice about 8 feet to enter the depth of the cave. Once you drop down into the crevice you are pretty much committed, because it is a little difficult to exit the crevice. The cave stretches for about 100 yards and takes 30 to 40 minutes to pass through. Once you walk about 20 feet, you’ll be in complete darkness without a light. I recommend that you only enter the cave if you have a headlamp and you secure all of your valuables in a zipped pocket within a backpack. There are sections in the cave where if you drop your light, keys or phone you will not be able to retrieve them. Other than that, have fun walking, crawling and sliding through the cave.

There are walk up campsites on a big open field. On this occasion we stayed at the Moss Lake Primitive Campground. The campsite is nestled amongst a forest. There is plenty of trees and shade to hang a hammock and relax. Texas State Parks require 2 inch tree hugging straps to hang a hammock. There are not facilities at this site, so Leave No Trace principles should be practiced.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is about 1:30 to 1:45 hours west of Austin and just 25 minutes south of Llano. This park gets lots visitors year round. If you are just visiting for the day, arrive early before 9am because the park limits the number of daily visitors. If you have camping reservations you will be granted admission. Make your camping reservations as early as possible because the spots fill up early. If you are not able to reserve a campsite, check out the nearby private campground called Oxford Ranch. The park is known for the Enchanted Rock which is a monolithic granite rock that juts out of the ground. The hike to the top of the rock is less than a mile, but it is a sharp incline. You'll be walking on solid granite. During the summer the temperatures rise sharply and there is limited shade to rest under on the summit. At the top of the rock obscured within a grouping of boulders there is a cave. The cave runs about 600 feet and takes about 30 minutes to walk, crawl and shimmy through. X marks the spot. WARNING: Only enter the cave if you have a headlamp. You will need both hands free to crawl in some areas. If you drop a flashlight or cell phone it will slide away from you and you will not be able to retrieve it and you will be stuck in the cave because it is pitch black. Empty all your pockets of keys, cameras, water bottles, pens, snacks, etc. before you enter the cave and place them securely inside a zipped pocket in your backpack (not in a water bottle pocket). Once again, if or when they fall out you will not be able to retrieve them. And they become trash to future spelunkers. Other than climbing the summit and exploring the cave, there are a series of loop trails from 1 to 4 miles in length. There are a number of hoodoo rock formations, boulders, small ponds in the area. Take at least a liter of water if you plan to hike the loop. The campgrounds are nicely equipped with a sun shade cover, picnic table, fire ring and food hanging post. They are adequately spaced apart, but you will have neighbors. There are critters like squirrels, raccoons and skunks that scavenge food regularly from the campsites, so take adequate precautions and hang your food or garbage.