San Angelo State Park

This park has active alerts

Trails Information - North Unit

Choose your trail adventure!

Painting of a horned lizard
Horned Lizard

Whether you’re a mountain biker, equestrian, hiker or trail runner, San Angelo State Park has something for you. Our trails offer scenic vistas and the opportunity to see the gateway to West Texas landscapes. You’ll discover restored grasslands, interesting rock formations, hardwood river bottoms and amazing wildlife. So hit the trail!

We have an all-terrain wheelchair for use in the park; email us to reserve the chair for your visit. 

Trails

All trails are hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated. Hikers must yield to horseback riders; bike riders must yield to everyone.

This list may not include all trails in the park.

Trail Distance Difficulty Description
Shady Trail 0.4 mi.
(one-way)
Easy Perfect on a hot day, this trail meanders through pecan hardwood river bottoms.
Dinosaur Trail  2.4 mi.
(one-way)
Moderate This series of trails is split for equestrians and mountain bikers, with hikers allowed on both. It leads you to the fossilized creature tracks from the Permian Period, made 90 million years before the dinosaurs. Good for intermediate mountain bikers.
River Bend Trail System 2.9 mi.
(one-way)
Moderate Split for equestrians and mountain bikers, with hikers allowed on both trails. Test your endurance on the longest trail system in the park. It includes varied terrain.
Flintstone Village  Trail 1.9 mi.
(one-way)
Moderate This trail cruises along, stopping at both Five Points and Cougar Lookout for some nice rest areas and views.
Scenic Loop 0.4 mi.
(one-way)
Easy Short and easy, this trail winds through shady trees and approaches the river for a beautiful view.
Slick Rock Loop 0.5 mi.
(one-way)
Moderate to Challenging Hike or ride through some interesting rock formations in an area that a park volunteer, John Talley, believes looks like Moab, Utah. There’s a little bit of everything in this wonderful state park!
Playground Trail 2.6 mi. (one-way) Challenging This trail was named for all its twists, turns, ups and downs. It's a fun mountain bike trail for experienced riders but also an adventurous hike.
Ghost Camp Trail 1.0 mi. (one-way) Easy This trail takes you through an abandoned camp. See how nature has grown through the cracks and explore a bit of the past.
List of Trails

Points of Interest

GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.

Point Latitude Longitude 360° Views Description
Burkett Trailhead 31.4807° -100.5244° View of Burkett Trailhead Pass north through the masonry gate to access the park's most popular trail area.
Highland Range Overlook 31.4827° -100.5309° No photo available. Drive to the end of the road and catch a view of the vast plains of San Angelo. Perfect for viewing the evening sunset!
Armadillo Ridge 31.4798° -100.5384° No photo available. Take a break and enjoy the views from up top of the ridge.
Bell's Point 31.4872° -100.5412° View of Bell's Point A view above Turkey Creek named in honor of Mr. Bell, a friend of San Angelo State Park.
Five Points 31.4920° -100.5439° View from Five Points Choose your own trail adventure at this major intersection where five trails merge.
Cougar Overlook 31.5054° -100.5372° View from Cougar Overlook Pause here for scenic views of the North Concho River.
Ghost Camp 31.5127° -100.5476° No photo available. See how nature has grown through the cracks and explore a bit of the past.
Bell's Trailhead 31.5290° -100.5449° View of Bell's Trailhead This trailhead in the North Unit of the park provides access to many different trails.
Permian Track Site 31.5309° -100.5604° View of the Permian Tracks Contemplate the distant past and immense creatures that once roamed here at these fossilized Permian Period tracks.
List of Points of Interest

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 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.
  • Bike safely. Check with park headquarters to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
  • Potentially harmful plants and animals live here. You’ll see them more easily if you stay on the trails.
  • Hunters may be active during hunting season. Check with headquarters for more information.

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.
  • Stay on trail and respect park boundaries!