Texas
Hill Country State Natural Area
About this riding route
Hill Country State Natural Area is 5,300 acres of undeveloped Texas hill country outside Bandera, donated on the condition that it stay primitive. There is no drinking water in the park and there are no paved roads, and it is one of the best-known horse destinations in the state. Around forty miles of trail climb from the creek bottoms up onto limestone ridges with long views across the Medina valley.
Texas hill country riding out of Bandera, across West Verde Creek and up into the ridges.
Highlights
What earns the trip
- Roughly 40 miles of multi-use trail across 5,300 acres
- Equestrian campsites with pens on site
- Limestone ridge climbs with long hill country views
- Bandera, ten miles away, calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World
Stops
- 1
Hill Country State Natural Area
Park headquarters and the equestrian camping area.
- 2
West Verde Creek
The creek crossing below the ridge trails.
When to go
Best time to go
October through April. Texas summer heat here is punishing for horse and rider.
Planner estimate for the mapped line: 12 min
Before you go
Know before you go
- There is no potable water in the park. Haul everything you and your horse need.
- Texas requires a negative Coggins within the last twelve months.
- Creek crossings can run high and fast after hill country rain.
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