Cibolo Nature Center

VISITOR CENTER HOURS

Monday–Friday: 9 am–4:30 pm
Saturdays: 9 am – 2 pm

TRAIL HOURS

8am-Dusk
7 days per week

CIBOLO NATURE CENTER

140 City Park Road
Boerne, TX 78006
(830) 249-4616
nature@cibolo.org

Visit the Cibolo Nature Center to experience the immense natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.

Featuring a variety of natural landscapes and more than six miles of trails, the Cibolo Nature Center invites you to connect with the nourishing and healing power of the outdoors. Come walk through a native prairie, wade in the creek, look for wildlife in the spring-fed marsh, and feel the awe of the live oak or cypress canopy while immersing yourselves in the wonders of nature. While visiting, don’t miss our Herff Farms campus.

The Cibolo Nature Center has had an Edwards Aquifer Authority Weather Station in place since 2014. The station collects data on nine different parameters and is used by us, the EAA, and NASA for calibration of sensors on satellites. View more here

Cibolo Nature Center

Flowing through the heart of the Cibolo Nature Center, you will find the scenic Cibolo Creek. Tall Cypress trees line the banks, as they have for more than a thousand years. Visitors enjoy sitting along the banks and wading in these pristine waters.

WALKING TRAILS

The Cibolo features more than six miles of trails through four distinct ecosystems. A place for both serious and recreational hikers, visitors of all ages and abilities can find something to enjoy. Trail maps are available outside the Visitors Center and at trailheads. The full trail circle takes approximately two hours to complete; however, a variety of unexpected loops and routes along the way offer a new adventure with every visit! For information on specific trails, see below.

DINOSAUR TRACKS

In 1997, a heavy flood uncovered the tracks of an Acrocanthosaurus at the Boerne Lake Spillway. In an effort to preserve the large 100-million years old tracks, the Cibolo created exact track replicas and placed them at the trailheads of the nature center for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

BOARDWALK

Enjoy the abundance of wildlife while exploring the Marshland Trail along the Cibolo’s Boardwalk. The boardwalk is ADA accessible and is best enjoyed at a slow pace so as to not miss the clear pools of water teeming with aquatic and avian life. 

PICNIC AREAS

Bring a picnic for an outdoor dining experience immersed in nature. Picnic tables are located throughout the Cibolo Nature Center.

BIRD WATCHING

The Cibolo is home to an astounding array of birds including the Painted Bunting and endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler. You can learn to identify our resident and migrating bird species by picking up a field guide in our Visitors Center.

OTHER WILDLIFE

The Cibolo is an important habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. With native plants and animals throughout the preserve, you will experience Texas nature at its absolute finest. Stop by our Visitor Center for field guides, books, and observation tools to enhance your visit. Remember to safely observe from a distance to protect wildlife and the delicate landscapes.

More Information

Do you have a Visitor Center?

Yes. The Cibolo Gift Shop and Visitor Center offers trail maps and a variety of books, pocket guides and gifts. We have nature observation tools and water bottles to enhance your nature experience. All proceeds support our programs.

Is there an entrance fee at the Cibolo Nature Center?

There is no charge for admission; however, donations are appreciated at drop-boxes and the Visitor Center to ensure that we can continue to offer the best experience to our visitors, steward the land and water and offer education programs.

What types of trails can I experience at the Cibolo Nature Center?

Marshland Trail: Once covering five times as much land as it does today, restoration efforts by the Cibolo Center for Conservation and the City of Boerne saved this last remaining portion of the marsh and is now home to many native plants and wildlife. This trail includes the Cibolo Boardwalk and is ADA accessible.

Woodlands Trail: Overlooking the Cibolo Creek, this densely shaded trail of oak and juniper is home to deer, rabbits, and other wildlife and is popular with hikers of all skill levels.

Cibolo Creek Trail: Hike along the lush banks of the Cibolo Creek and observe turtles, bass perch, and catfish in the clear water of the creek under the majestic cypress canopy. This critical wildlife habitat is also an important source of recharge for the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers.

Native Texas Prairie Trail: Prairies once covered much of the Texas landscape, but today they are the region’s most endangered ecosystem. The Cibolo’s restored prairie contains the tall-grass species and wildlife our ancestors knew. It is preserved through controlled burns and is a premier wildlife management research site.

Can I bring my dog?

Friendly dogs are welcome at the Cibolo Nature Center. Dogs must remain leashed and, of course, be sure to pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly. Biodegradable bags are available at trailheads.

Do you have spaces that can be rented for weddings, meetings, birthday parties or events?

Yes, we do have spaces that can be rented for a variety of purposes. For a full set of offerings, visit our Meetings & Events page.

What should I plan to bring on my visit?

To be safe on your trip, consider bringing the following:
• Water or another drinking source
• Natural (DEET-free) bug repellent
• Sunscreen and/or protective clothing
• Towels

Our Rules While Visiting

Help us take care of the Cibolo Nature Center by abiding by the following rules:
• Take only pictures; leave only footprints.
• Place all trash in designated trash bins or take with you.
• Stay on designated trails.
• No bicycles or motorbikes of any kind are allowed on the trails.
• No smoking on the trails.
• Do not harm plants or wildlife.
• “Catch and release” fishing only.
• No firearms.
• No camping.
• All dogs must be leashed and picked up after at all times. (Biodegradable bags are available at trailheads.)

Become a Member

Join the community of donors that contribute to the annual fund supporting our important work.

Prairie, Creekside, and Woodlands Trail Loop on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/prairie-creekside-and-woodlands-trails?sh=uwkyb3