Devil's Sinkhole Just Got 1,200 Acres Bigger — and Real Trails Are Coming

Here's a good one out of far-west Hill Country: in early October, Texas Parks and Wildlife announced that Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area in Edwards County — currently open by guided access only — is set to become a more traditional natural area thanks to the acquisition of 1,200 acres along its western property line. That means new public land, a real trail system on the way, and more of that big Rocksprings sky protected for everybody.

What happened

According to the TPWD news release on October 1, the newly acquired land is more of the old Whitworth Ranch, which was split up when the original natural area was formed in 1985. The Whitworth place was the first ranch in the area to raise sheep, and the families were deeply involved in their community. So this isn't just an acreage number going up — it's a historic ranch being stitched back together under one roof, this time a public one. Reuniting the tracts will add to the historic and interpretive programming at the site, including the natural history of the Sinkhole itself and the cultural history of the land.

The headline for hikers: the site — about an hour west of Kerrville and 45 minutes south of Junction — will gain an extensive trail system of around 10 miles over the next few years, suited to birders and nature-walkers looking for a more solitary experience. And it grows the footprint in a meaningful way: with the new 1,200 acres, the natural area now totals more than 3,000 acres.

Why it matters

Devil's Sinkhole has always been one of the stranger and more wonderful corners of Texas — but access has been limited to guided visits. Ten miles of walkable trail changes the whole character of the place. It becomes somewhere you can simply go, lace up, and wander. Long-term plans for the property tentatively include a headquarters building and maintenance area, along with overnight opportunities — which means someday you might wake up out there instead of just passing through.

There's a night-sky bonus too: the park boasts dark skies, so astronomers and star enthusiasts now have more protected acreage to view the night sky. In a state that keeps getting brighter, 1,200 more acres of honest darkness is worth celebrating on its own.

The bigger picture in Texas

This isn't a one-off. Texas is in the middle of a genuine public-land growth spurt. The state launched an aggressive plan to expand public parkland after the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund created a $1 billion dedicated funding stream for new parks in 2023. Just one day after the Devil's Sinkhole news, the Dallas Morning News reported that a sprawling piece of lakefront property along Lake Palestine, long used to grow pecans, is set to become a new Texas state park. And Palo Pinto State Park opened this year near Strawn — the first new state park in North Texas in more than 25 years. More land, more trails, more places to stand around admiring a landscape that doesn't care what day of the week it is. If that's your idea of state pride, it's ours too — it's half the reason our Texas collection exists.

Go see it

The new trails will take a few years to build, but Devil's Sinkhole is already worth the drive — guided visits are how you see it today, and Rocksprings makes a fine excuse for a slow weekend in a part of the Hill Country most folks blow right past. Grab a water bottle, check tour availability before you go, and bring a layer for after dark, because the stars out there do not mess around. Wear something that says where your heart is — the Texas State Pride Tee was made for exactly this kind of trip.

Common questions

Where is Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area?

It's near Rocksprings in Edwards County, in the southwestern Hill Country — about an hour west of Kerrville and 45 minutes south of Junction.

Can I hike the new land right now?

Not yet. The site is currently open by guided access only, and the roughly 10-mile trail system is planned over the next few years. Guided visits remain the way in for now, so check with Texas Parks and Wildlife before making the drive.

How big is the natural area now?

With the newly acquired 1,200 acres, the natural area totals more than 3,000 acres in southwest Texas.

Reported by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Details as published at the time of writing.