We Are All Stewards

Our natural areas are living, breathing places with a wide variety of plants and critters. Please help us care for these beautiful places: take out what you bring in, leave things just as you found them, and stay on trails. Keep your dog on a leash and pick up its waste. Our valuable greenspaces are working hard to clean our water and our air; let’s return the favor by keeping them clean and natural.

Trail Maps!

Trail maps of Schulle Canyon, Ringtail Ridge and Purgatory are now available.

Download the Schulle map.
Open Ringtail map.
Open Upper/Lower Purgatory map (no trails).

We also have smaller-format Ringtail and Schulle maps sized to fit in your backpack printed in full color on coated stock available for $1 each. Email alliance@smgreenbelt.org to order.

Greenspace Information

Here is a map of San Marcos parks and natural areas. The map will help you locate the natural areas described below. For more information about city parks, visit the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Page or call Parks and Recreation at 393-8400.

SMGA leads guided hikes in San Marcos’ natural areas; scheduled hikes are listed in News & Events.
To arrange a private hike, contact alliance@smgreenbelt.org.

Click a natural area below to see a description, brief history, and directions.

Blanco Shoals

Description: About 81 acres mostly west of the Blanco River, just below the bridge at IH35. Blanco Shoals is a unique area in our park system, since it is a completely undeveloped riparian area and will remain that way except for a few trails to be built in the future. It contains high bank bluffs and shoals, tall cottonwoods and sycamores, gigantic pecans, and mesquite and anaqua (a na’ koo way) trees that cling to the riverbanks.

Notes: Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Blanco but do not cross any fences, as it will put you on private property.

Brief History: The property was donated in 2002 by the Holt family in exchange for some land-use changes on the remaining portions of the property. The City of San Marcos, Alan Holt, and SMGA worked together to come up with a Planned Development District (PDD) for the property, which included multi-family and commercial use and greenspace. The 81 donated acres are in the floodplain of the subdivision, and an additional 16 acres is planned for acquisition pending funding. The Holts asked that the area be left essentially natural.

Directions: Take I-35 north from San Marcos. Take Aquarena Springs Exit and go straight on northbound frontage road to overpass at River Ridge Parkway. Turn right onto River Ridge Parkway and go to end of road at apartment complex “turn-around,” where you can park your car.

[back to top]

Prospect Park & Lower Purgatory Natural Area
1414 Prospect

Description: Prospect Park is about 9 acres of passive-recreation parkland with about 1.2 miles of unmarked trails (closer to 2 miles if you include the spur that takes you into lower Purgatory). Prospect Park and lower Purgatory sit on a rather porous section of the Edwards Aquifer. Juniper groves, meadows, ephemeral wetlands, and oak mottes co-exist in Prospect Park. The park’s in-town location makes it a perfect natural area when you need a quick nature fix. Benches are located at both the entrance and on the upper trail that forks to the right from the park entrance. Prospect Park butts up against the 500 acres of the Purgatory Natural Area. Since the lower portion of the Purgatory acreage is most easily accessed via Prospect Park, the park and lower Purgatory are often described together.

Notes: Some areas border unfenced private properties, for example, in the Willow Creek subdivision. Do not cross fences except the one in the lowland area near the creek bottom.

Brief History: To be added

Directions: From downtown San Marcos, take W Hopkins St. to N Bishop St. Turn west on Bishop and left on Prospect St. Go 2.5 blocks to dead end. Park on street near kiosk to your right.
Parking is limited, so consider carpooling, walking, or biking; a bike rack is available.

[back to top]


Upper Purgatory Natural Area
Franklin Street

Description: The largest portion of the 450-acre Purgatory Natural Area currently has no hiking trails, though visitors can hike along an old jeep track that winds through the property. In Spring 2007, SMGA plans to being scouting and constructing a trail that connects the lower and upper Purgatory acreage. Upper Purgatory includes upland meadows and canyon bluffs of 40 feet or more, dense juniper thickets, and champion oaks. Several areas within this greenspace are habitat for golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos.

Brief History: According to San Marcos Daily Record articles dated 6/15/2001 and 12/30/2001, the city purchased the Prospect / Purgatory Natural Area acreage in portions, culminating in December 2001. The first purchase of about 33 acres had been zoned for high-density, multi-family development back in 1979. Some 670 apartment units could have been built on the site. Terrand Ltd., the previous owner of the property, donated an additional 93 acres adjacent to Purgatory Creek above the flood control dam on Purgatory Creek. The city completed the purchase of another 326.3 acres on December 17, 2001. The Edwards Aquifer Authority supported the acquisition as a partner with the city.

The future expansion of Wonder World Drive will cross a portion of the property. The acquisition is expected to help minimize environmental impacts of the proposed state highway extension. The land is within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and is home to Purgatory Creek and several tributaries of both Purgatory and Willow Creeks.

Directions: From downtown San Marcos, take W. Hopkins St. to Bishop St. and turn west. Drive 0.9 miles
on Bishop and turn left on Franklin St. Stay on Franklin for 4 blocks to end, make a sharp right, and cross the cattle guard. Stay on ranch road without crossing any other cattle guards or going through any gates. When you reach the road’s end, you will see a greenspace sign and parking area.

[back to top]


Ringtail Ridge

Description: 40 plus acres of partly developed parkland off RR12, with about 2 miles of unmarked loop trail, including a spur that meets RR12 in the 30-foot wide swath between Community Baptist Church and Dakota Ranch Apartments The trail was designed for mountain biking, but it also offers pleasant hiking in a surprisingly diverse natural area in a part of town that is developing rapidly. Oak groves, flowering meadows, cactus stands, and persimmon thickets are all found in Ringtail Ridge. The Ringtail Ridge tract was the site of an animal slaughter plant for many years. The foundations of the plant and other artifacts can still be seen; the land is being left alone to recover from ranching and the slaughter business.

Brief History: In the 1990´s, Randall Morris made a deal with the City to increase land-use density along RR 12 in exchange for the 40 acres now known as Ringtail Ridge. The deal was welcomed by conservationists, who were concerned about preserving recharge land and welcomed the tighter controls on water runoff required for high-density development.

Directions: Take Ranch Road 12 (Moore St.) toward Wimberley about 1/10th mile past Craddock Ave. Turn right onto dirt road between Dakota Ranch Apartments and Crestwood Center. Follow road to concrete slabs and park.

Note: Stay within the greenspace fences.

[back to top]

Schulle Canyon Greenspace
100 Ridgewood

Description: About 21 acres of undeveloped parkland with about 0.5 miles of 6-foot wide, gravel-surface, accessible trail and 0.75 to 1 mile of natural surface trails. Schulle’s trails are included in the Texas Parks & Wildlife's Heart of Texas Birding Trail Guide.

Brief History: The property that is now Schulle Canyon Greenspace was owned by the John Cox family for decades. The upper portion of the property was cleared and used as pasture land. A small tank for water livestock was fed by springs, which flowed most of the time according to Mr. Cox’s daughter, Virginia Witte. After development occurred in the watershed, the springs ceased to flow and the creek now flows only in wet weather. The tract of property extending from Holland Street back to the Tex Hughson property was owned by Mr. Schulle, who developed a small subdivision along the street named for him. For many years Schulle Drive dead-ended before it reached the wet-weather creek. When Tex Hughson developed the section of Hughson Heights that includes Sierra Circle and Camaro Way, Schulle Drive was extended to Hughson Heights. Members of Mr. Schulle’s family still reside in the Maxwell area.

In 1998, two developers purchased 22 acres of the John Cox property from Mr. Cox’s children. The developers began the process of developing the property into townhouses and single-family houses. During this time the City of San Marcos began negotiating with the developers to acquire the property. Several area neighborhoods, including Hughson Heights, Alamo Street, and Sierra Circle, supported acquisition of the property by the City for parkland. The City Council approved an agreement under which the city traded a 5-acre tract along IH35 South, at the site of the Lowman Airport, for the 22-acre Schulle Canyon tract. In the early 2000’s members of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance worked with the City to submit a grant application to Texas Parks & Wildlife for funds to build a trail in Schulle Canyon. The grant was awarded and the trail was completed in 2004.

Directions: Take Ranch Road 12 (Moore St.) toward Wimberley. Turn right on Holland St. at traffic light.
Turn left on Alamo St. (2nd left). Follow Alamo to dead end at kiosk and parking area.

[back to top]


Sessom Drive Greenbelt
905 Chestnut

Description: About 5 acres of undeveloped and unplanned, wooded parkland made up of separate tracts among private lots. This area is very close to Texas State University, yet is home to wildlife and thick vegetation. Positioned along Sessom Drive, this greenbelt provides water quality protection from run-off headed toward the San Marcos River. There is currently no official entrance, and boundaries are not clearly marked. SMGA leads occasional hikes through the area.

Brief History: Details about the acquisition of the first few acres of the Sessoms Greenspace are sketchy. The area contains a number of utility pipes and was once platted for development, so it’s believed that some lots were dedicated to the city when it was realized that development would be difficult. Almost half of the acreage was donated by the Froh family around 2000. The Frohs owned a house overlooking the woods and decided to leave the acreage natural and protected in perpetuity.

Directions: Take Sessom Dr. to North LBJ and turn right at traffic light (north, away from campus). Take very first left onto Chestnut St. (an angle turn) and park in upper lot above Rivendell Restaurant on left. (They allow greenspace visitors to park there before and after lunch-hour rush, but let the staff know you are there to avoid being towed!)Notes: Stay within fences and be careful not to enter yards. We recommend taking an SMGA-sponsored hike before hiking through the area on your own.

[back to top]


Spring Lake Perserve

RESTRICTED PROPERTY! Individuals do NOT yet have permission to enter this property. Guided SMGA hikers may access the area with permission. Faculty and students of Texas State may be seen conducting research through the auspices of the City of San Marcos and with help from SMGA.

Description: About 251 acres of undeveloped parkland that sits just above the headwaters of the San Marcos River. About half of the property is in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, and all of the property is part of the Sink Creek watershed. San Marcos Springs and Spring Lake are rare ecological jewels among Texas water resources and support 5 endangered species. The area supported ranching and hunting for many years, but has recently been left largely undisturbed with the exception of some natural-surface trails. Spring Lake Preserve contains the typical meadows and woodlands found in the Edwards Plateau, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including Mexican buckeye and large mammals. Currently, Texas State University, the National Park Service, and the City of San Marcos are developing a master plan that will emphasize low-touch recreational activities and natural resource protection. The San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department will offer educational programs at the preserve for children and adults.

Brief History: The area around San Marcos Springs is thought to be one of the longest continuously occupied areas in North America due to its proximity to the San Marcos Springs. In 1926, A.B. Rogers purchased land around the Springs and built the Aquarena Springs Resort. Aquarena was sold to Texas State University in the 1990’s, and the 251 acres were later sold for residential development. In 2004, the developer and the City of San Marcos were preparing to create a large hotel and conference center on the highest location above the Springs. Citizens and conservationists objected, the development was moved east of IH-35, and the City, Hays County and Texas State University committed to securing the property as a natural area. In November 2005, SMGA led a campaign for approval of a $2 million bond as payment toward purchase of the 251 acres. Subsequent grants and donations from Hays County, Texas Parks & Wildlife, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Meadows Foundation, Terry Gilmore, the McCoy Foundation, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority allowed the city to purchase the land in 2007.

Directions:
SMGA hike notifications will indicate one of the following starting points:

• Texas Rivers Center: Take Aquarena Springs Drive to Texas Rivers Center (formerly Aquarena Springs) and park in the section of the parking lot furthest from the building entrance and visible to your left as you arrive at the Center.

• Lime Kiln Road: Take Aquarena Springs Drive to Post Road and turn left on Lime Kiln Road at Travis Elementary. Drive 0.6 miles until you see a ranch gate with survey ribbons on your left (gate will be locked unless a hike has been scheduled). Drive through the gate and park along the jeep track near the clearing.

[back to top]