Hill Country State Natural Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Open daily; hours not posted
- Entrance fee
- $6 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 20 campsites
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(830) 796-4413
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Screwworm AlertJune 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do… (more)
June 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do not move the animal. Call the Texas Animal Health Commission at (800) 550‑8242 or contact a private veterinarian. For wildlife with suspicious wounds or maggots, notify park staff or call (512) 389‑4505.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Road ConditionsJuly 26, 2026 - The entire park is open, but road conditions are rough in some areas leading into the park. Special Event Notices The park will… (more)
July 26, 2026 - The entire park is open, but road conditions are rough in some areas leading into the park. Special Event Notices The park will host special events on these dates. Expect busy trails and limited parking. • Oct. 23-25, 2026 • Jan. 8-10, 2027 Park Closures The park will be closed on the following dates: • 10 p.m. on Nov. 8 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 12 • 10 p.m. on Nov. 22 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 26 • 10 p.m. on Dec. 6 to 6 a.m. on Dec. 10 • 10 p.m. on Dec. 20 to 6 a.m. on Dec. 24 • 10 p.m. on Jan. 18 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 22 Only permitted hunters will be allowed on these dates. Contact the park for more information. Trail Updates Trails may close in wet weather. Check for updates before visiting. Check back for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 5,385 acres, Hill Country State Natural Area lies in Bandera County, about 19 miles north of Hondo.
Visitors come for horseback riding, mountain biking, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: 20 campsites across 8 camping areas, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping. The park says there are no showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Open daily (hours not posted) | ||
| Office | Not stated | 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open daily.
Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit. Trails and backcountry campsites may close due to wet conditions or poor weather. Please contact us or check our Facebook page or Twitter feed prior to arrival for current information.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | $6 |
| Child 12 Years and Under | Free |
Official wording
• Adult : $6 Daily • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primitive Campsites (Walk-in | West Verde Creek) West Verde Creek Area (50 yards maximum walk in) has three campsites; each can hold eight people (24-person area capacity). These sites are along the creek. | 3 | WaterPicnic tableFire ringChemical toilet nearby | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsites (Walk-in | Comanche Bluff) Comanche Bluff Area (25 yards maximum walk-in) has three campsites that can hold eight people each (24-person area capacity). These sites are along the creek. | 3 | WaterPicnic tableFire ringVault toilet nearby | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsites (Walk-in | Chaquita Falls) Chaquita Falls Area (75 yards maximum walk-in) has three campsites that can hold eight people each (24-person area capacity). These campsites are along the creek. | 4 | WaterPicnic tableFire ringChemical toilet nearby | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsites (Hike-in | Butterfly Springs) This area is approximately a 2.87-mile hike from the closest parking. These are primitive sites, three miles from the trailhead parking. Sites are non-reservable and first-come, first-served upon arrival; $10 per four people. Trails and backcountry campsites may close due to poor conditions or weather; please call before you come for current information. No ground fires are allowed (fire rings in shown in photos, have been removed). You can use containerized fuel stoves for cooking. | 2 | No WaterPicnic tableNo ground firesFire rings have been removed | $10 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsites (Hike-in | Hermit's Shack) This area is approximately a 3.25-mile hike from the closest parking. Sites are non-reservable and first-come, first-served upon arrival; $10 per four people. Trails and backcountry campsites may close due to poor conditions or weather; please call before you come for current information. No ground fires are allowed (fire rings in shown in photos, have been removed). You may use containerized fuel stoves for cooking. | 3 | No WaterPicnic tableNo ground firesFire rings have been removed | $10 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsites (Hike-in | Wilderness) This area is approximately a 2.3-mile hike from the closest parking.Trails and backcountry campsites may close due to poor conditions or weather; please call before you come for current information. No ground fires are allowed. You may use containerized fuel stoves for cooking. | 5 | No WaterPicnic tableNo ground fires | $10 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Excess Vehicle Parking All types of trailers with sleeping quarters will count against the two vehicle per site limit. | — | $5 Nightly | |
| Excess Occupancy Fee When approved by the park. | — | $5 Nightly |
Camping details from the park
Get back to nature at one of our primitive walk-in or hike-in campsites. These sites have vault toilets nearby, but no showers.
The lodge is available for those with and without horses. It has a kitchen and bathroom and sleeps nine. Five stalls, two pens and corrals are nearby.
Horseback riders can reserve an equestrian campsite or the group camp. The group camp comes with a barn and nine stalls. This camp has water and a vault toilet nearby, but no showers.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Horseback ridingHikingBikingMountain bikingPicnickingCamping
Trails
Trails range from easy to challenging, from one-mile strolls to miles-long rambles. Learn more on our Trails Information page.
The easy Heritage Loop takes you past remnants of the former ranch. The West Peak Overlook is a staff favorite, with a steep climb leading to expansive views of the western Hill Country.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Parking
- Group facilities
- Showers: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 10600 Bandera Creek Road
Bandera, TX 78003 - Nearest town
- Hondo — about 19 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 29.6280, -99.1811
- Phone
- (830) 796-4413
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology