Hill Country State Natural Area Busy in Fall TRAILS Trails range from easy to challenging, from one-mile strolls to miles-long rambles. The easy Heritage Loop takes visitors past remnants of the former ranch. The West Peak Overlook is a staff favorite, with a steep climb leading to expansive views of the western Hill Country.
BY CHUCK MCCOLLOUGH Special to the Bulletin
Hill Country State Natural Area Park Supervisor Paul Hendrix expects more visitors in the autumn months. “Fall is one of our busiest times of the year. When temperatures get more moderate more people want to come visit and camp here. We are really excited to see more folks enjoying themselves at our beautiful park,” the park supervisor said. Hendrix, who has been at Hill Country for three-and-ahalf years, said last month that the park was at 80 percent capacity, compared to 50 percent at start of summer. Hill Country, located at 10600 Bandera Creek Road, is over 5,000 acres of rugged canyons, scenic plateaus and tranquil creek bottoms at this
former ranch in southern Bandera County. It has more primitive camping than Lost Maples State Natural area.
THINGS TO DO Hill Country State Natural Area offers primitive camping, backpacking, nature-watching and multiuse trails for hikers,
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mountain bikers and horseback riders. Help keep this natural area pristine by following these rules: - Trails and backcountry campsites may be closed to protect sensitive areas or for bad weather; observe closure signs. Call or check the Facebook page or Twitter feed for updates before your visit. - Campfires are allowed only in fire rings. Visitors must bring firewood; visitors may not gather dead wood or cut standing timber there. - Pets must be on leashes no longer than six feet. Fire danger conditions can change rapidly, leading to burn bans with little notice. Check before visiting. Hill Country does not have a park store or potable water, so visitors must bring everything they will need, including drinking water. Automotive Diagnosis, Repair and Maintenance Servicing travel, horse and utility Trailers Bearings, Electrical, Brakes, Axles and Fabrication
775 Houston St. Bandera
830-460-0918
HORSEBACK RIDING Visitors can bring their own horses to explore the natural area (they must present proof of a current Coggins test). Trail terrain ranges from flat, broad prairies to steep, rocky canyons. The equestrian arena is available by reservation only; contact the natural area for information. CAMPING Visitors can get back to nature at one of the primitive walk-in or hike-in campsites. These sites have vault toilets nearby, but no showers or running water. The lodge is available for those with and without horses. It has a kitchen and bathroom and sleeps nine. Five stalls, two pens and corrals are nearby. Horseback riders can reserve an equestrian campsite or the group camp. The group camp comes with a barn and nine stalls. This camp has water for horses and a vault toilet nearby, but no showers or potable water. For more information about Hill Country SNA, call 830-7964413.
