Rugged Miles & Relaxing Rivers - Hill Country Natural Area (Day hike, Swimming)
Schedule
Sat, 06 Jun, 2026 at 08:30 am
UTC-05:00Location
Hill Country State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife | Bandera, TX
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Get ready to explore one of the Hill Country’s most rugged and rewarding landscapes. Hill Country Natural Area - a former ranch turned haven for hikers - is a patchwork of rocky canyons, open grasslands, shady oak mottes, and peaceful creek bottoms. Our 10-mile route winds through this diverse terrain, offering everything from gentle valleys to steep, rocky climbs with sweeping views from high plateaus.June brings warm weather, so we’ll savor those shady stretches and seasonal springs as we hike through this scenic slice of Texas. After the trail, we’ll cool off with a refreshing dip in the Bandera River at Bandera City Park - the perfect way to unwind after a big day on rugged terrain.
To wrap things up, we’ll refuel with some well-earned eats at B-Daddy’s BBQ on Main.
Pro tip: Portions of the road leading into and out of the park are unpaved. You don’t need a high clearance vehicle to navigate them, but do take it slowly. Also, you may consider bringing a neck gaiter or cooling cloth to help keep you cool on the hike.
Starting point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4cAeoktmx63p8gHG8
Eats: B-Daddy’s BBQ on Main (Sat. 11 AM-7:30 PM) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/MvU9AZbJK1odqjH76
Important information:
- Reservations: They are available online from https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/, 30 days prior to the event for a day pass, and 5 months prior for camping reservations. See the shared Google Calendar (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZGU0NjNhMzkxNzBhNGQ2MjUyZTBhMGFiODgyNDFmNDM4ZjAzYmFlMTNkNTczZjM2NTViNDk2NDc5NTc0YmJiMUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t) which has all of the scheduled events, and event reminders about obtaining passes. Make sure you print them out and bring them with you to make your trip a smooth one!
- Waiver/Release: Make sure you fill out a waiver/release form (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vdhCDW7bpvdlmnkPrV_n0iUwR_7QB7GRvBBT1tLWlKY/edit?usp=sharing) and either send it to me as a PDF (Facebook messenger is fine), or print it out and bring it with you. I will have blanks available at the start of the event if you forget. However, you WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to join the adventure without one being completed!
- What to bring?: Required items are - A positive attitude, at least 3L of water, and snacks. Nice to have things are - Personal first aid kit, electrolytes, hiking poles, head covering and/or sunscreen.
- As always: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post in the discussion or message me directly. I'm happy to help, and answer any questions!
#hikingwithjosh #hikingadventures #hiking #optoutside #getoutside #outdoors
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Where is it happening?
Hill Country State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife, 10600 Bandera Creek Rd,Bandera,TX,United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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