Purgatory Creek Natural Area — Attraction in Texas

You can get a good 8 miles in starting at the Lower Purgatory trailhead and by following the Dante Trail to the Backend Loop, and then back again. The trail is not difficult for hiking, but most of the Dante Trail would be considered difficult for trail runners and even mountain biking since a lot of the areas have rock formations and tree roots staggered out at random intervals. It just seems too difficult to run on because of the spacing of the roots and the jagged rocks.

Some of the trail markers are confusing or even lacking in some areas.

There’s a couple of scenic overlooks on these trails but nothing to be impressed by. I hiked this trail in the winter time after a decent rain and the creek bed was filled with stagnant water. If it hadn’t been cold, I would imagine the mosquitos would be very bad, so bring repellent if you go in the warmer months.

Unlike most of the Texas hill country, this park seems to be filled with deciduous trees, so most of the trails don’t have a lot of noteworthy areas for photographs.

95% of the Dante Trail and Backend Loop are shaded.

Plenty of parking, one porta potty, and a water fountain for peeps and dogs at the lower purgatory trail head.

VERY clean, and thanks to the folks of San Marcos for not leaving your doggy poop bags on the trail. I didn’t see a SINGLE one. Y'all are awesome! Thanks for letting this out of towner use your trails.

There’s a decent amount of parking, but the drive into the parking lot is gravel and has a lot of potholes. Roll low and slow through this place.

I’ll check it out again in the spring or during our hotter than hell summers that we get...

Great place to walk trails are clean lots of different places to go and explore was our first time there parking was ok I think we were upper level of the area. Love the trail names. Only complaint I have is people with dogs. I get it it sucks touching poop but hey if u wipe your butt you can pick up after your dog. The park is doing there part but come on people u have a dog your walking your dog ur dog poops pick it up. They have trash can everywhere and places for it. Or hey don't go walking with ur dog. Think about it if u have to go to the bath room u don't drop ur pants and just go u STOP what ur doing to go find a bathroom right??? Be considerate and pick up your dogs poop. And yes I have a dog and yes I pick up his poop every time even when I don't have a bag I will grab extra...

I have only been to a very small portion of the trail bit I went a few days ago and went on a 5 mile walk and got my cardio in for sure. They take super good care of the trails and it's just so beautiful out there, flat hills, steep hills, flowers, sun areas, shaded areas and I finally found the creek and a cool water main maybe for a dam? I don't know. All I know is we're trail jumpers so we usually don't stay at the same one very long but there are so many trails and so much sight seeing you want to go back. I got lost because I wasn't paying attention but luckily remembered one sign and found my way out so now that I remember where I need to go I'm going back as soon as the rain let's up....