NWR stands for National Wildlife Refuge.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is home to many native Texas wildlife and plants and was specifically established to protect the nesting grounds of the black-capped vireo and the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. This refuge also helps to protect water quality in central Texas and lies just north of Lake Travis, the drinking water reservoir for the Austin metro area. You can experience this rugged landscape by visiting one of our observation decks or hiking one of our 10 miles of foot trails.  

Trails at Doeskin Ranch

Pond and Prairie Trail 

Open Season: Open year round during daylight hours. Not open to biking or horseback riding. 

Length: 0.5 mile loop

Surface: Half of this trail is paved and half is a natural surface 

Difficulty: Easy 

Creek Trail 

Open Season: Open year round during daylight hours. Not open to biking or horseback riding. 

Length: 0.5 mile loop

Surface: Natural 

Difficulty: Easy  

Rimrock Trail 

Open Season: Open year round during daylight hours. Not open to biking or horseback riding. 

Length: 1.6 mile loop

Surface: Natural and rocky 

Difficulty: Difficult 

Shin Oak Trail 

Open Season: Open year round during daylight hours. Not open to biking or horseback riding. 

Length: 0.5 miles 

Surface: Natural 

Difficulty: Easy 

To reach this loop trail, you must hike up half the Rimrock trail. 

Indiangrass Trail 

Open Season: Open year round during daylight hours. Not open to biking or horseback riding. 

Length: 1.5 miles 

Surface: Natural and sometimes rocky 

Difficulty: Moderate 

To reach this loop trail, you must hike up half of the Rimrock trail and part of the Shin Oak trail. 

More information about three of these trails may be found at AllTrails.com website. 

Rim Rock Loop trail on AllTrails.com

Shin Oak Loop trail on AllTrails.com

Creek Trail Loop on AllTrails.com