One of the crown jewels of the Texas parks system is the Hill Country State Natural Area (10 miles southwest of Bandera [1] via FM 681 and FM 1077, 830/796-4413, www.tpwd.state.tx.us [2], open daily Feb.–Nov., weekends Dec.–Jan., $6 daily 13 and older for day use, $3 daily per person 13 and older for overnight use).
Secluded and undeveloped, this ruggedly beautiful 5,400-acre park preserves a magnificent portion of the Hill Country [3] in its natural state. Equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers traverse trails across valleys, streams, and limestone hills, and primitive backcountry camping areas are available to equestrian and non-equestrian campers.
Most of the parkland was donated by the Merrick Bar-O-Ranch, which stipulated that it “be kept far removed and untouched by modern civilization, where everything is preserved intact, yet put to a useful purpose.” The terrain ranges from flat creek bottoms to rocky canyons reaching 2,000 feet in elevation.
Several spring-fed streams provide swimming holes and water for horses, but the humans among the herd are encouraged to bring their own drinking water.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/the-hill-country/bandera
[2] http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/the-hill-country