Hill Country State Natural Area
Encyclopedia
Hill Country State Natural Area is a state park
in Bandera County
, Texas
in the United States
. Hill Country State Natural Area is a multi-use park within the Texas Hill Country
.
, 20 miles (32 km) north of Hondo, Texas
, and 45 miles (72 km) west-northwest of San Antonio
. The park is located on the border of Bandera County
and Medina County.
and within the Balcones Fault Zone
. The Woodard Cave Fault, a minor normal fault, runs through the park with a generally east-west trend. Uplifting along the fault line at the park has resulted in about a two-hundred foot difference in elevation between the hilltops in the southern third of the park and the higher northern part. The terrain of the park consists of eroded limestone
hills and mesas, typical landforms of the Hill Country
. There are also relatively flat bottomland areas surrounding the small creeks that drain the property. The elevation within the park ranges from approximately 1280 to 2000 ft (390.1 to 609.6 m). The local bedrock
is exposed throughout much of the park. The highest hilltops in the park and the lower hills in the southern part of the park are capped by fairly resistant limestone of the Fort Terret formation within the Edwards Group, which is the dominant bedrock of the Edwards Plateau
to the north. The rest of the park lies atop the softer, more easily eroded Upper Glen Rose Formation, also a limestone. Both are flat-lying, fossiliferous formations dating from the Cretaceous Period.
types and over 450 plant species. The majority of the park is covered by Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis)-Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei
) woodlands, Live Oak savannah
, Texas Red Oak (Quercus buckleyi
) woodlands, and open grasslands composed primarily of Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula and Little bluestem
(Schizachyrium scoparium). Smaller communities include stands of Lacey Oak (Quercus laceyi), Pecan
(Carya illinoinensis)-Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata
) associations
, and gamagrass-Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grasslands, as well as fields of Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri
). The natural vegetation of the park, like much of the Texas Hill Country, has suffered from human interference and invasion
by exotic King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) and invasive native
Ashe Juniper. The park also contains opportunities for bird watching. Over 160 species of birds have been sighted in the park, including two endangered bird species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler
(Dendroica chrysoparia) and the Black-capped Vireo
(Vireo atricapilla). As in much of the Hill Country, White-tailed deer
(Odocoileus virginianus) are common, and the park is opened for deer hunting a few weekends each winter.
artifacts
have been found within the park, including human remains. After the arrival of European settlers in the mid the park land functioned as a working ranch
. The bottomlands were converted to croplands and the remainder was used for grazing. The initial land for Hill Country State Natural Area was acquired between 1976 and 1982 through donations by Louise Merrick. The park was opened to the public in 1984 with 4753 acres (1,923.5 ha). In 1986 a further 616 acres (249.3 ha) were acquired, bringing the total size to 5369 acres (2,172.8 ha).
run in January
as a state natural area rather than a state park
. This designation indicates that the site is meant to remain relatively undeveloped and natural, compared to a typical state park. Camping
is limited to nine walk-in campsite
s, three small hike-in camping areas, and five equestrian
campsites with horse pens. All campsites and camping areas lack sewer, electric, and potable water
hookups. The park also has one group camping area and a group lodge with electric hookups, but these also lack potable water.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Bandera County
Bandera County, Texas
Bandera County, formed in 1856 from Bexar and Uvalde counties, is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 17,645. Its county seat is Bandera. Bandera is named for the Spanish word for flag...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Hill Country State Natural Area is a multi-use park within the Texas Hill Country
Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...
.
Location
Hill Country State Natural Area is located 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Bandera, TexasBandera, Texas
Bandera is the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, United States,in the Texas Hill Country, which is part of the Edwards Plateau. The population was 957 at the 2000 census, and according to a 2009 estimate, the population had jumped up to 1,216 people...
, 20 miles (32 km) north of Hondo, Texas
Hondo, Texas
Hondo is a city in and the county seat of Medina County, Texas, United States. According to the 2000 Census, the population was 7,897...
, and 45 miles (72 km) west-northwest of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. The park is located on the border of Bandera County
Bandera County, Texas
Bandera County, formed in 1856 from Bexar and Uvalde counties, is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 17,645. Its county seat is Bandera. Bandera is named for the Spanish word for flag...
and Medina County.
Geography and Geology
The park lies approximately ten miles north of the Balcones escarpmentEscarpment
An escarpment is a steep slope or long cliff that occurs from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations.-Description and variants:...
and within the Balcones Fault Zone
Balcones Fault
The Balcones Fault Zone is a tensional structural system in Texas that runs approximately from the southwest part of the state near Del Rio to the north central region near Waco along Interstate 35. The Balcones Fault zone is made up of many smaller features, including normal faults, grabens, and...
. The Woodard Cave Fault, a minor normal fault, runs through the park with a generally east-west trend. Uplifting along the fault line at the park has resulted in about a two-hundred foot difference in elevation between the hilltops in the southern third of the park and the higher northern part. The terrain of the park consists of eroded limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
hills and mesas, typical landforms of the Hill Country
Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...
. There are also relatively flat bottomland areas surrounding the small creeks that drain the property. The elevation within the park ranges from approximately 1280 to 2000 ft (390.1 to 609.6 m). The local bedrock
Bedrock
In stratigraphy, bedrock is the native consolidated rock underlying the surface of a terrestrial planet, usually the Earth. Above the bedrock is usually an area of broken and weathered unconsolidated rock in the basal subsoil...
is exposed throughout much of the park. The highest hilltops in the park and the lower hills in the southern part of the park are capped by fairly resistant limestone of the Fort Terret formation within the Edwards Group, which is the dominant bedrock of the Edwards Plateau
Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is a region of west-central Texas which is bounded by the Balcones Fault to the south and east, the Llano Uplift and the Llano Estacado to the north, and the Pecos River and Chihuahuan Desert to the west. San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio roughly outline the area...
to the north. The rest of the park lies atop the softer, more easily eroded Upper Glen Rose Formation, also a limestone. Both are flat-lying, fossiliferous formations dating from the Cretaceous Period.
Flora and fauna
The park supports eight recognized plant communityCommunity (ecology)
In ecology, a community is an assemblage of two or more populations of different species occupying the same geographical area. The term community has a variety of uses...
types and over 450 plant species. The majority of the park is covered by Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis)-Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei
Juniperus ashei
Juniperus ashei is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub or small tree, native to northeastern Mexico and the south-central United States north to southern Missouri; the largest areas are in central Texas, where extensive stands occur...
) woodlands, Live Oak savannah
Savannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
, Texas Red Oak (Quercus buckleyi
Quercus buckleyi
Quercus buckleyi, commonly known as Texas Red Oak or Buckley's oak, is a species of flowering plant in the Fagaceae family. It is endemic to the southern Great Plains of the United States. It is smaller and more likely to be multi-trunked than its close relative, the Shumard Oak...
) woodlands, and open grasslands composed primarily of Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula and Little bluestem
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a North American prairie grass. Little bluestem is a perennial bunchgrass and is prominent in tallgrass prairie, along with big bluestem , indiangrass and switchgrass...
(Schizachyrium scoparium). Smaller communities include stands of Lacey Oak (Quercus laceyi), Pecan
Pecan
The pecan , Carya illinoinensis, is a species of hickory, native to south-central North America, in Mexico from Coahuila south to Jalisco and Veracruz, in the United States from southern Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana east to western Kentucky, southwestern Ohio, North Carolina, South...
(Carya illinoinensis)-Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata
Celtis laevigata
Celtis laevigata is a medium-sized tree native to North America. Common names include Sugarberry, Southern Hackberry, or in the southern U.S. Sugar Hackberry or just Hackberry....
) associations
Association (ecology)
An association is the "ultimate classification level" of ecological systems. Local conditions permit several understory species to coexist with the same overstory dominants, and associations refer to the many co-occurring species rather than just the few dominant ones.Associations have:#A...
, and gamagrass-Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grasslands, as well as fields of Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri
Dasylirion wheeleri
Dasylirion wheeleri is a flowering plant native to arid environments of northern Mexico, in Chihuahua and Sonora and in the southwestern United States, in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, and also in New Mexico and Texas.-Description:Dasylirion wheeleri is a moderate to slow-growing evergreen shrub...
). The natural vegetation of the park, like much of the Texas Hill Country, has suffered from human interference and invasion
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
by exotic King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) and invasive native
Invasion biology terminology
The need for a clearly defined and consistent invasion biology terminology has been acknowledged by many sources. Invasive species, or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats...
Ashe Juniper. The park also contains opportunities for bird watching. Over 160 species of birds have been sighted in the park, including two endangered bird species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler
The Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia is an endangered species of bird that breeds in Central Texas, from Palo Pinto County southwestward along the eastern and southern edge of the Edwards Plateau to Kinney County...
(Dendroica chrysoparia) and the Black-capped Vireo
Black-capped Vireo
The Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapilla, is a small bird native to the United States and Mexico. It has been listed as an endangered species in the United States since 1987. The IUCN lists the species as vulnerable....
(Vireo atricapilla). As in much of the Hill Country, White-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
(Odocoileus virginianus) are common, and the park is opened for deer hunting a few weekends each winter.
History
The land within the park has been inhabited for several thousand years, and a number of Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
have been found within the park, including human remains. After the arrival of European settlers in the mid the park land functioned as a working ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
. The bottomlands were converted to croplands and the remainder was used for grazing. The initial land for Hill Country State Natural Area was acquired between 1976 and 1982 through donations by Louise Merrick. The park was opened to the public in 1984 with 4753 acres (1,923.5 ha). In 1986 a further 616 acres (249.3 ha) were acquired, bringing the total size to 5369 acres (2,172.8 ha).
Recreation
Hill Country State Natural Area has over 40 miles (64.4 km) of multi-use trails and permits hiking, biking and horseback riding. Several dude ranches abut the park and regularly lead trail rides through the park. An intermittent creek runs through the park, allowing for swimming and fishing when water levels are high enough. The park also hosts the annual Bandera 100 km ultramarathonUltramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
run in January
Camping
Hill Country State Natural Area has been designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas...
as a state natural area rather than a state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
. This designation indicates that the site is meant to remain relatively undeveloped and natural, compared to a typical state park. Camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
is limited to nine walk-in campsite
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
s, three small hike-in camping areas, and five equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
campsites with horse pens. All campsites and camping areas lack sewer, electric, and potable water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
hookups. The park also has one group camping area and a group lodge with electric hookups, but these also lack potable water.
Nearby Parks
- Garner State ParkGarner State ParkGarner State Park is a state park in Uvalde County, Texas in the United States. Garner State Park, in the Texas Hill Country, is the most popular state park in Texas for overnight camping. It often fills by noon in peak parts of the season...
- Lost Maples State Natural AreaLost Maples State Natural AreaLost Maples State Natural Area is a state park in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, United States.- Location :Lost Maples State Natural Area is located about north of Vanderpool, Texas and west of San Antonio...
- Government Canyon State Natural AreaGovernment Canyon State Natural AreaEstablished in 2005, Government Canyon State Natural Area is of rugged hills and canyons typical of the Texas Hill Country.The reserve is located in the extreme NW corner of Bexar County, and protects a large, relatively pristine area of Hill Country terrain, numerous and diverse species of plants...
- Guadalupe River State ParkGuadalupe River State ParkGuadalupe River State Park is a Texas state park located on a section of the Guadalupe River in Kendall and Comal Counties, northwest of Bulverde, Texas United States and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department...
and adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area