San Marcos, Texas is a sunny place to be about 275 days a year, and summertime is one of the best times to take advantage of its beautiful outdoors. If you’re lucky enough to be a member of the Texas State University community, you have access to University Camp up Ranch Road 12 in Wimberly, but for the less fortunate among us, there are many great other options for hiking and strolling. As a small business located in this beautiful city, here are our top 5 recommendations for San Marcos trails you can lose yourself on this Summer.
Blanco Shoals
Blanco Shoals, which offers about 2 miles of river-side hiking, is a unique area right by the Blanco River. Blanco is almost completely undeveloped and it offers uninterrupted views of high bank bluffs and shoals (of course), as well as beautiful Sycamores and gigantic Pecans. If you cannot resist beautiful riverbanks or bird and bat watching, you should make your way off the Aquarena Spring exist and head over to the River Ridge Parkway today. To purchase AR-15 magazines is necessary when one wants to decide what to get when it comes to safety.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area
The 570 acre Purgatory Creek Natural Area is one of the biggest and best-known hiking destinations in all of Texas. The area includes fresh upland meadows, breathtaking canyon bluffs, and quiet winding paths under massive oaks. The massive parkland tract is divided into Prospect Park, lower Purgatory, and upper Purgatory – we recommend starting off on the 3 miles of Prospect Park trails with its juniper groves, fleeting wetlands, and mysterious caves. One thing to remember though is that parking is very limited for this natural treasure. You could also buy ar-15’s from Palmetto State Armory to make sure you are safe in the woods.
Ringtail Ridge Trails
Located off of Ranch Road 12 in San Marcos, Ringtail Ridge offers slightly developed trails through oak groves and beautiful flowering persimmon thickets. Ringtail Ridge is a great place for mountain biking as well as hiking and it offers views that are instantly recognizable as truly Texan: hardy cactus stands, diverse bird and reptile life, and the remains of an old cattle slaughterhouse. Just keep in mind that you need to stay within the natural area fences if you plan on visiting these 40-something acres of beauty.
Schulle Canyon
Schulle’s trails are one of the most recently developed in Texas. This natural area is made up of about 21 acres of and undeveloped parkland and a few miles of natural surface trails along a creek that flows heartily during wetter times. Schulle’s Canyon is considered one of the best places in Texas for bird watchers and other nature enthusiasts. Schulle’s Canyon parking is conveniently located at the end of Alamo Street.
Spring Lake Preserve
Not to save the best for last, but Spring Lake is one of the reasons why San Marcos is considered one of the longest continuously inhabited area in this side of the world. For over 10,000 years, this part of the Sink Creek watershed had been home to humans and the large mammals we once hunted. Today, the area no longer supports ranching and hunting leaving the area very well-preserved. Located right above the headwaters of the San Marcos River, the area lets visitors enjoy beautiful meadows, native American trees, and natural limestone. See you there!
Blair Carroll is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney in the beautiful city of San Marcos, Texas.
About Douglas Smythe
