Dog-Friendly Texas Hill Country Hikes
Summer Hikes for Dog Lovers near Austin, San Antonio
Jun 8, 2009
Here are five Texas Hill Country hikes for dogs and owners to enjoy now.
Inks Lake State Park Trails
A series of trails loop through a quiet corner of this popular park on Inks Lake, northwest of Austin, Texas. Combined, they form a hike just under five miles that encompasses an astonishing variety of scenery. The route starts at the Amphitheater parking lot and follows the Green route, marked on color-coded trail maps available at the park entrance. The trail passes beneath cedar and pecan canopies, panoramic views of the countryside, multi-hued boulders draped with mosses, and swaths of granite with tiny yellow flowers growing in the cracks. This hike also has thick cedar breaks, cattail-filled streambeds, rocky lakeshore, and a stand of tall trees and grasses. Wandering on exposed rock is prohibited, as it will cause erosion and damage fragile plant life growing on the granite. Dogs must be on leash in all Texas state parks.
Hill Country State Natural Area Trails
Just outside of Bandera, this 5,369-acre former ranch has 40 miles of multi-use trails. Routes 1 and 6 can be combined into a 5.8 mile loop out to Wilderness Camp Area and back, over rocky hills and down canyons, through open stretches where tall grass undulates in the breeze, into shady groves of oak and juniper covered in blue berries, and even across a wide swath of ankle-scratching but wickedly beautiful sotol. Route 5B climbs a steep, rocky staircase to 1,760-foot-high Twin Peaks and a stunning, panoramic view of the almost unblemished countryside. No drinking water or supplies are available in the park, so hikers need to bring everything they’ll need.
Lake Georgetown Good Water Trail
A rugged, 26-mile trail circumnavigating scenic Lake Georgetown traverses dense juniper stands, hardwood bottomlands, and wide-open prairie grasslands, sometimes balancing on limestone cliffs or fording streams. Near Crockett Springs is an old corral left behind by early settlers, and armadillos and deer are frequent sights. Multiple trailheads and several camp grounds allow hikers to choose routes of various lengths. Leaving one car at the endpoint then driving to the starting point prevents back tracking. The trail crosses Hunt Hollow Wildlife Management area. Hikers should check with the office for dates on deer hunting season, and if hiking then, stay on the trail and wear bright clothing.
Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park
This 940-acre park has campgrounds, an RV park, a dog-friendly lodge, access to the shoreline of Lake Buchanan, and miles of hiking trails. The Peacock and Juniper Ridge Loops explore a high ridge in the park, with views of the lake and shady stretches through juniper woods. The Beebrush, Live Oak, and Vireo Trails traverse more open area with gentle rises, wildflower patches, prickly pear thickets and rock formations. The Lakeside Trail traces lake shoreline, much of it shady. Eight hundred acres of the park are set aside for protection of endangered species, including black-capped vireo, golden-cheeked warblers, and American bald eagles, and these areas are closed during nesting seasons. Trails are well-marked and maps are available.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Trails
This park contains one of the nation’s largest batholiths, or underground rock formation exposed through erosion. Enchanted Rock rises 425 feet and totals 640 acres of pink granite. A 4.5 mile loop trail circles this and several other granite domes, briefly following Sandy Creek, and passing by Moss Lake and a primitive camping area. Hikers may spy turtles and frogs along the creek, and wildflowers are abundant in spring and fall. The park has improved and primitive campgrounds, showers and restrooms, and picnic areas.
Dogs make great hiking companions, but they need proper preparation and supplies.
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