Enchanted Rock

State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock is more than an appropriate name for this massive Pink Granite dome settled in the Texas Hill Country.

The pink dome dominates the horizon of the park. The summit is a 3/5 mile walk and is 425 feet in elevation at the top; the perfect lookout for the various groups of

Native Americans that roamed this area. Man has lived in the Enchanted Rock area for about 8,000 years using its vast resources as means of survival

Vernal Pools• The granite summit would be

otherwise barren without these fragile miniature habitats consisting of diverse plant and microbial communities, each unique.

• The plants growing in these vernal pools must be able to survive the harsh conditions. With only a thin layer of soil and a tendency to dry up without rainfall.

The granite composing Enchanted Rock is estimated to be 1 billion years old. The dome shape of the granite is a recent result of the last few million years worth of

weathering and erosion. The granite dome is part of a larger granite mass formed during the Precambrian Era. It is among the oldest geological rock exposures in the state. A far greater portion of the dome formation still lies beneath the surface of the

ground.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is rich with plant and animal life that are native to Texas

Plants here have to survive a harsh environment. The vegetation in this region of Texas is well adapted to the thin

topsoil, the hot dry seasons even withstanding drought.

More plants and animal residents of Enchanted Rock

A rainbow assortment of lichens grow on the bare granite surfaces. The presence of lichen is a good indication that environmental

conditions are healthy because lichen are extremely sensitive to acid rain and air pollution.

More evidence of lichens

Trails navigate up to the top of Enchanted Rock and around the bedrock, from which the rest of the great state of Texas was formed.

The trails are well maintained and marked. Visitors are encouraged to explore beyond the trails and into the many pastures, rock formations

and caves.

Enchanted Rock is a great place to spend the day, camp, backpack, rock climb and hike. The scenery is unlike anything other making this a

truly unique place to explore.

For more information visit www.tpwd/state.tx.us

“Take only pictures and leave only footprints.”