Just 90 miles northwest of San Antonio, Texas, you’ll find one of the most intriguing state natural areas you’ll ever have the pleasure to lay eyes on. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (fondly known as E-Rock to regular visitors) is home to the second largest batholith in the United States. In case you are curious, a batholith is an underground rock formation uncovered by erosion. Simply put, Enchanted Rock is a huge pink rock dome rising 425 feet above the ground. The batholith covers over 640 acres and is home to various forms of wildlife and camping humans year round.
Enchanted Rock — Photo courtesy of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
When planning your day trip to Enchanted Rock, you’ll want to take a few practical items along with you. Your list should include comfortable attire and walking shoes. The terrain is rocky in some areas and the climb is harder for some than it looks. It is something that children as young as five or six can accomplish but any younger and you’ll find yourself carrying them. Be sure to take along sunscreen and bring water canteens. I recommend lip balm because it can be windy towards the top of your climb. As you prepare for this trip, don’t forget your camera. The scenery is worth every moment it takes to get there. You’ll want to get an early start during the warmer months of the year. The park tends to fill to capacity as early as 11:00 am. If you get there and the park is closed to additional guests, don’t turn around immediately. Often, as campers from the previous night are leaving, the park attendants will open the park to allow others to enter.
As you drive up IH-10W, you will pass through Leon Springs, home of the The Grill at Leon Springs. The Grill was voted best restaurant in northwest San Antonio and offers a variety of gourmet foods. You will be hungry and possibly tired on your way back so pay attention to this exit in Leon Springs. You may want to make it your stopping point for dinner on the way home.
A little over an hour later, (if you don't make any stops), you will see Enchanted Rock long before you get to it. It seems to rise out of the ground with a presence of its own. Estimated at nearly one billion years old, the formation radiates mystery and a sense of the past. Legend says that the Tonkawa Indians named this batholith ‘enchanted’ because of the sounds it made at night. Some reports indicate these Native Americans talked about ‘ghost fires’ flickering on the top of the dome. Nowadays, geologists attribute the sounds to the rock heating during the day and contracting as they cool in the evening.
Enchanted Rock — Photo courtesy of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
There are seven miles of trails within Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Less talked about, however, is a cave on the backside of the dome. It is about 600 feet long and has up to 20 entrances. It is one of the more ecologically damaged areas in the park due to present day human explorers. If you should attempt to go through the cave, be advised: You will find yourself scooting, crawling, sliding and balancing in the dark. Bring a good flashlight (I suggest one per person or a light on a caving helmet). There are sharp drop offs and ledges to navigate with only your light to guide you. Some of us enjoy this type of adventure but others do not so decide carefully before choosing to go through the cave. Many an amateur (including myself!) have come out of this cave with cuts, bruises and a few knots on their head!
Enchanted Rock is an amazing sight to behold. The evening brings deer and rabbit within feet of your picnic tables. Children wash their feet in the small creek next to the picnic area (there is a creek when the area is not in drought). When walking the trails you’ll feel a part of something wonderful and feel respectful of nature’s power. As you climb up the dome itself, you’ll simply feel winded. So be sure to rest as needed and turn around to see how far you’ve come. The scenery will be waiting for you. Come prepared to be enriched by the experience and tell a friend about ‘E-Rock.’
