Facilities

Ringtail Ridge Natural Area is located off a caliche road (1818 Old Ranch Road 12) between the Dakota Ranch Apartments and Crestwood U-Haul, with an additional pedestrian and biking trailhead between Community Baptist Church and the Dakota Ranch Apartments (1814 Old Ranch Road 12). 

This natural area is made up of 41 acres, which includes a caliche trail circling three wet-weather ponds, as well as a single-track trail offering a beginner mountain bike experience. The stock ponds offer opportunities for birding and bug walks not easily found at the drier Purgatory Creek Natural Area. 

Ringtail Ridge is the former site of the Hughson Meat Company, which was founded in 1947 by Cecil “Pop” Hughson and his brother, Johnny Hughson. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department awarded the City of San Marcos and SMGA a National Trails Grant in the amount of $40,087 in August 2007 to help fund a one-half mile accessible trail, parking lot improvements, and an interpretive kiosk. 

Size

• 41 acres

Rules & Guidelines

All park rules must be followed. For additional information on natural areas, including trail maps, visit our Natural Areas & Trails page.