Best Hill Country Hikes Near Willow Point Resort

November is here, and so is some of the best hiking weather!

However, before you lace up your boots and fill your Camelbak, keep reading to learn about two of the best hill country hikes in Texas! Spoiler alert: they are both a short drive from our lakeside resort.

All Hill Country hikes offer a unique blend of topography and climates, making it an ideal activity for beginner and seasoned nature enthusiasts!

The unique natural beauty of this area, with its rolling hills, picturesque canyons, and winding rivers, cannot be found elsewhere!

Additionally, many of the trails on Hill country hikes pass through some fantastic historical sites and fossil areas. (Who knew?)

First on our list? Inks Lake State Park.

Inks Lake, in nearby Burnet, is considered by many to be one of the best state parks in Texas!

Sitting on the shores of Inks Lake, a man-made reservoir created in the 1950s, the park features several scenic Hill Country hikes, picnicking areas, and a nature center.

The trails at Inks Lake range from easy to moderate. There is an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities and loads of places to connect with mother nature! The park has over eight miles of trail.

• Adult (Day Use): $7 Daily
• Child 12 Years and Under: Free

Some of our favorites include the hike to Devil’s Waterhole, which is less than a mile and super family-friendly. The rock formations create narrow canyons with multicolored patterns striping the limestone. The geology is incredible!

For more elevated views, we recommend the Pecan Flats Trail.

At less than 2 miles long, this trail takes you 1,000 feet above sea level (the highest elevation in the park.) You can see miles of Hill Country views from the overlook and even spot the top of the famed Falkenstein Castle peeking from the treetops.

Inks Lake is just under 20 minutes from Willow Point! So, you can spend the day checking out the nearby hill country hikes and then head back to your lakeside cabin for an evening of stargazing and s’more roasting. It doesn’t get more quintessential Texas Hill Country than this.

Inks Lake State Park’s address is 3630 Park Road, 4 West. Visit their website or call (512) 793-2223 for more information.

Second Up? Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a 425-foot pink granite batholith (dome) approximately 17 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County.

It covers an area of 640 acres and is sure to be one of the most memorable Hill Country hikes you’ll ever take!

Enchanted Rock has 10+ miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. The most popular is the Summit Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that takes you to the top of the Rock. The Summit Trail is considered moderate because of the incline, but it is less than a mile and not too steep.

The loop takes about 1.5 hours to hike. Ascending over 415 feet to the summit of Enchanted Rock, this trail offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. You can see for miles in every direction!

• Adult (Day Use): $8 Daily
• Child 12 Years and Under: Free

Enchanted Rock’s address is 16710 Ranch Rd. 965 Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Visit their website or call (512) 389-8900 for more information.

Although Enchanted Rock is a bit further from our lake resort, we promise you won’t feel a hint of disappointment on the drive back to our Hill Country oasis. Especially if “stunning views” are something you enjoy.

We designed each lakeside cabin to offer guests panoramic lake views—ideal for watching the sun rise and set over the water. Trust us when we say the views here never get old. (Seriously. We live right next to the property and have yet to get tired of seeing them.)

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your fall getaway to the lake and experience some of the best Hill country hikes, weather, and scenery you’ll find in Texas this time of year!

Reservations can be made online or by phone at 512-793-5000.

See you soon!
Bryan & Gwen Carpenter