Elevation: 1,602 ft
GPS: 30.5032, -98.8213
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 897,397 total · 4,460/month
Shared By: Matt Richardson on Sep 2, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Hank Caylor, mattm, Matt Richardson, LeeAB Brinckerhoff
Access Issue: Rule changes for pets and trail closures 30 minutes after sunset Details

Description

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area consists of over 1600 acres on the Big Sandy Creek north of Fredericksburg. The actual Rock is a large, pink granite dome that covers over 640 acres. The major dome is over 425' high. According to the Texas Parks Service, the dome itself is one of the largest Pink Granite batholiths uncovered by erosion in the US. A second dome lies next to the main dome, both of which are surrounded by smaller formations. In the park, you'll find tons of established bolted and traditional routes including aid routes that go up to A3. In addition, for those who love to hump pads, there is bouldering aplenty on the eratics surrounding the main domes.

Getting There

17 miles outside of Fredericksburg via Ranch Road 965. Or take Highway 16 south for 14 miles from Llano and the Ranch Road 965 west to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Fees and Camping

The park is open year round except when public hunts take place (typically in the fall or winter, but check the calendar of events or call the park ahead to inquire). The entry fee is $7/person per day and is required in addition to any camping fees outlined below. Keep in mind that this park IS VERY POPULAR and that it does frequently reach maximum capacity in terms of parking and available space. So, if you want to get in, plan on getting there early, especially on weekends.Excellent walk-in sites are available. These sites have tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Restrooms, showers and water are within easy reach of each of the camping areas. Fees for the walk in sites are $15/night (as of April 2008; check TPWD's fee site for most current fees) with a maximum of 8 campers allowed at a single site. There are 46 sites available, all of which fill up fast, so reserve a site well in advance if you are planning on staying overnight at the park.In addition, primitive sites (requiring a 1 to 3 mile hike) are available. These sites are $10/night for a maximum of four people per site. There are a 20 spaces located in each of the three available primitive areas. The primitive sites have access to outdoor toilets. Pets are allowed in the primitive areas. No water is available in these areas and fires not permitted.As of February 2019, you need an advanced reservation for entry to the park. You now need to reserve your day pass. This is very important on busy weekends through Spring and Fall dates. The alert on web page, "We have a very high volume of visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and school breaks. We close when we reach capacity. You can purchase “Save the Day” passes up to 30 days before your visit with the new state parks reservation system. Passes may only be available online during busy times. If you come without an entrance pass, watch for flashing yellow lights along the highway that will signal closures due to capacity, weather or other emergencies.  Get updates on our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Guides and Resources

The original guide by Robert Price, Scott Harris and James Crump, The Dome Driver's Manual has been reprinted and is available at Crux Climbing Center, Texas Rock Gym, Whole Earth Provisions and REI.  It is also still possible to find used copies. However, Sean Grady recently published a updated guide to E-Rock called Enchanted Rock: A Climber's Guide;Detail=1892540304 which contains over 300 routes and 150 boulder problems. In addition, you can find topos of routes at E-Rock at ERockOnlinedotcom as well as an overview of the climbing areas and information concerning recreation and camping on the TPWD site.

380 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 177
Jack Knife
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 160
Cave Crack
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 208
Sweat
Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 81
Can Opener
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 122
Middle Crack
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 124
Mark of the Beast
Sport 3 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 122
Owl Crack
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 103
Pro Sweat
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 100
Little Feat
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 61
Eat
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 64
Orange Peel
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 71
Top Choice
Trad, TR
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 64
Texas Crude
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 99
Fear of Flying
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 63
Grass Crack
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Jack Knife Echo Canyon > Throne Rock Area
 177
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad
Cave Crack Echo Canyon > Orange Peel Area
 160
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Sweat Main Dome > News Wall
 208
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Can Opener Echo Canyon > Motorboat Rock
 81
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Middle Crack Echo Canyon > Triple Cracks Sanctuary
 122
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Mark of the Beast Main Dome > Devil's Slide
 124
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 3 pitches
Owl Crack Echo Canyon > Triple Cracks Sanctuary
 122
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Pro Sweat Main Dome > News Wall
 103
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Little Feat Buzzard's Roost > E Face of Buzzard's R…
 100
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Eat Buzzard's Roost > Southeast Face
 61
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Orange Peel Echo Canyon > Orange Peel Area
 64
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Top Choice Little Dome > Carnivore Boulders
 71
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, TR
Texas Crude Buzzard's Roost > E Face of Buzzard's R…
 64
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Fear of Flying Buzzard's Roost > E Face of Buzzard's R…
 99
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Grass Crack Echo Canyon > Triple Cracks Sanctuary
 63
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
More Classic Climbs in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos