Enchanted Rock, Texas State Park, Yep that's really the name!

Destination: Enchanted Rock, Texas
Date: November 2012

Cousin Fun on Enchanted Rock
November 2012

If you're looking for a fun day trip with the kids around the San Antonio area, I highly recommend heading up to the Hill Country to enjoy the majestic Enchanted Rock.  Located about 15 miles north of Fredericksburg Texas, Enchanted Rock is a great day trip for any family, couple, or individual looking for an easy climb to see the beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country.

Looks like Earth giving birth to another planet
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

A beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country from the top of Enchanted Rock
November 2012

This 425 ft peak of pink granite sits like a rock among the trees in this area of Texas, more info can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/enchanted-rock.  Children under 12 are free to enter this Texas park but everyone else must pay the $7 entrance fee.  There is also camping available for those interested at $12 per night with a car fee of $5.

Our family hike to the top of Enchanted Rock
November 2012

As stated on the Enchanted Rock website "Tonkawa Indians believed ghost fires flickered at the top, (of Enchanted Rock) and they heard weird creaking and groaning, which geologists now say resulted from the rock's heating by day and contracting in the cool night. A conquistador captured by the Tonkawa described how he escaped by losing himself in the rock area, giving rise to an Indian legend of a "pale man swallowed by a rock and reborn as one of their own." The Indians believed he wove enchantments on the area, but he explained that the rock wove the spells. "When I was swallowed by the rock, I joined the many spirits who enchant this place." The first well-documented explorations of this area did not begin until 1723, when the Spanish intensified their efforts to colonize Texas. During the mid-1700s, the Spaniards made several trips to the north and northwest of San Antonio, establishing a mission and presidio on the San Saba River and carrying out limited mining on Honey Creek near the Llano River."

On the trail going up with all six kids and nine cousins!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

This past Thanksgiving, Trent and I had our six kids along with his two brothers "T' &T's" families with their nine children so we knew staying in the house was not an option to keep this brood occupied.  We were soon off with movies playing in our vehicles and ready to do some hiking with these fifteen kids ranging in ages of 3-16.  That's the best part about Enchanted Rock it really is good for all ages!

It seemed impossible to get all fifteen kids in the picture at once!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

Who doesn't love a picnic?  These kids are having too much fun!
Enchanted Rock, December 2012

We set off on our hour and a half drive up to Enchanted Rock.  Once we arrived we paid our entrance fee and headed in for a little picnic.  There are lots of picnic tables and since we brought our picnic from home we were ready to get started.  Once the kids were fed it was time to get started on our hike.
Some of the kids were obviously faster than others but the best part of Enchanted Rock is that it looks just like a rock popping up out of the ground with very little obstacles to obstruct our view.  Though I was one of the ones bringing up the rear I could see all fifteen kids on the rock at all times during our hike.

Lexi loved visiting Enchanted Rock with her cousins
November 2012

Clay loved all the climbing!
Enchanted Rock, November 2012

This hike is good for anyone who can walk!  My little niece "E" who is only three-years-old loved running around on the rock just as much as the older kids.  Once we arrived at the top the view of the hill country was breath taking.  I think it was a beautiful sight even for the children.  My big tip of the day is bring plenty of water!  Though we hiked the rock in November it was still warm and everyone was ready for a little drink at some point during the climb.

Just a short post today.  Hope you enjoy this little gem.  If you have any day trips around the San Antonio area that you could recommend, or you think I should check out, please let me know.  I love a new place to visit!

Safe and Happy Travels!!