Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail

The Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail is a network of interconnected loops stretching from San Angelo through Austin to Del Rio and Laredo, with sections named Brownwood, Redbud, and Balcones. The system guides visitors to different habitats where they can watch native animal species in their natural environments.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department created this network to provide structured wildlife viewing opportunities across central Texas. The routes were designed with conservation as a core purpose and continue to demonstrate the ecological importance of these landscapes.

The trail system connects visitors with native species and the ecosystems they inhabit across central Texas. The designated observation points make the region's biological diversity directly visible and accessible to those walking through.

Bring binoculars, field guides, and comfortable hiking shoes to explore the various loops across the trail system. It helps to research individual sections beforehand and plan visits by season to see particular wildlife species.

Millions of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from caves along the route during certain seasons, creating one of the region's most striking natural events. Many visitors are surprised by these nighttime gatherings when they encounter them unexpectedly.