Trails Information
Lose yourself in the beauty and solitude of the Texas Hill Country.
- Golden-cheeked warbler
With miles of trails leading to some of the most tranquil spots in the Hill Country, Pedernales Falls State Park offers a real place to get away from it all.
Trails
All trails allow hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Hiking Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackenburg Loop | 1.4 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | Named for one of the families who owned land here in the 1800s, this rugged trail takes you along the river to places flash floods have had serious impacts. |
| Twin Falls Nature Trail | 0.5 mi. (round trip) | 30 min. | Moderate | Follow the short but rugged Twin Falls Trail to one of the most beautiful spots in the Hill Country. |
| Pedernales Falls Trail System | 0.3 - 1.8 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | Take an hour or spend all day (following some of the many offshoot trails) hiking around the dramatic rock scenery of the Pedernales Falls. |
| Cypress Mill Loop | 3.8 mi. | 3.5 hrs. | Moderate | Be prepared to get your feet wet as you take Trammell Crossing across the river to access a part of the park with a rich history and gorgeous views. |
| Wolf Mountain Loop | 5.5 mi. (round trip) |
3 hrs. | Moderate | Still home to the “prairie wolf,” or coyote, the Wolf Mountain Trail offers scenic vistas, cool springs and Hill Country creeks to enjoy and explore. |
| Jones Spring Trail | 2.6 mi. | 1.5 hrs. | Moderate | Hike through a dense cedar forest and travel back in time when you visit Jones Spring and the ruins of a historic rock house. |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | 9.7 mi. | 6 hrs. | Challenging | Enjoy more technical, single-track mountain biking or just spend the day hiking this shade-covered trail. |
| Madrone Trail | 4.3 mi. | 2.5 hrs. | Moderate | Named for the many madrone trees found along the trail. It’s a treat to see these as they are rare in the Texas Hill Country. Please watch for traffic as you cross the county road. |
| Horse Trail - North | 2.5 mi. | 1.5 hrs. | Easy | Hike, bike or horseback ride down this easy trail where abundant wildlife come for food and water. |
| Horse Trail - South | 11.4 mi. | 8 hrs. | Moderate | Explore the rugged limestone hills while on horseback, mountain bike or on foot. You can connect to other trails as well to make a longer day trip. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | 360° Views | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedernales Falls / Cypress Pool Overlook | 30.3371° | -98.2516° | View from the main overlook View from the second overlook |
Look out over the dramatic landscape and unique geology of the rock canyon as the Pedernales River slowly carves through the bare rock. |
| Hill Country / River Overlooks | 30.3180° | -98.2315° | View from the river overlook View from the hill country overlook |
It's worth the hike to reach the 5.5-Mile Loop Overlook, which offer one of the most breathtaking views in the park. |
| Trammell Crossing | 30.3080° | -98.2455° | View from the middle of the crossing | This low-water crossing to access the section of park located across the river is named for T.J. Trammell. Trammell was an early settler and farmer who moved to the area with his family in the 1870s. |
| Twin Falls Overlook | 30.3080° | -98.2481° | View from the overlook platform | Spring-fed and lush year-round, this secret is a green paradise to behold. Help us keep the Twin Falls pristine by staying on the trail. |
| Star Theater / Bird Blind | 30.3256° | -98.2562° | View from inside the bird blind View of bird blind area |
See birds during the day and the stars at night. The bird blind is always open and the star theater opens for astronomy programs. Check with HQ. |
| Jones Spring | 30.2929° | -98.2298° | View of Jones Spring | From prehistoric people to modern times, the clear water of Jones Spring has always attracted visitors to the area. It was named for D.G. and Nannie Jones, who lived in the nearby rock house, which they purchased from T.J. Trammell in about 1885. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart (32 oz.) of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet. When mountain biking, check with park headquarters to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- You may not be able to connect. It’s a good idea to take along a cell phone and GPS unit, but don’t count on them.
- Weather changes quickly. Check forecasts before you leave home and prepare for changes in the weather. Be aware of changes in the river – if you see the water rising or turning muddy, seek higher ground immediately.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Don’t Pocket the Past. Help preserve Texas heritage. Leave artifacts where you find them and report their location to a ranger.
- No horsing around. Horseback riders must stay on trails marked for horses. Other users yield to horseback riders on multiuse trails.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
