Longhorn Cavern State Park Backcountry Loop

This limestone-carved network winds through the Texas Hill Country’s roughest terrain, where bootleggers once stashed contraband in natural caverns and Confederate soldiers manufactured gunpowder. The route follows old ranch roads and hunting trails around Longhorn Cavern State Park, threading between cedar breaks and crossing seasonal creek beds that carve deeper into the Edwards Plateau with each flash flood. You’ll hit the notorious Devil’s Backbone ridge section where the trail narrows to single-track with limestone ledges dropping off both sides.

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance 4WD for the rocky creek crossings and steep limestone shelves. Spring brings wildflowers but also muddy conditions; fall through winter offers the clearest skies and firmest ground. No permits needed for the backcountry loop, but water and fuel up in Burnet before heading out. The payoff is classic Texas Hill Country solitude and some of the best stargazing in the state, with designated primitive camping spots overlooking the Llano River valley.