Seminole Canyon State Park

Seminole Canyon State Park will give you a good workout and an interesting history lesson if you're up for it. The park, a small tourist attraction in Texas, provides tough hiking trails and a glimpse of almost pre-historic times. There is not much to do here, and there are no restaurants, shops or hotels, so be prepared for a rugged and thrilling outdoor experience.

Popular activities at Seminole Canyon State Park include camping, mountain biking and hiking the 8 miles of trails, and learning about the history of this unique place. Fate Bell Shelter, located in the canyon, contains some of North America's oldest Indian pictographs and is one of the oldest cave dwellings in North America. Tours of Fate Bell are held Wednesday through Sunday, with only one tour in the morning during the summer, and 2 tours during the rest of the year. To tour Fate Bell, one must be prepared to hike a steep path up and down the canyon to the shelter, which is located in a cliff overhang. The park also offers an interpretive center with exhibits relating to the history of the canyon area and displays of early man.

Hiking the canyon is recommended only with a licensed tour guide, according to park regulations. The Presa Canyon Tour, a 7-hour off-trail hike that involves lots of climbing, bushwhacking, water crossing, and Indian rock art sites, is highly recommended for experienced hikers. Along your hike, you may see diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos and squirrels. Since the canyon's terrain is rocky, there is little green vegetation. Other parks to explore in the canyon include Devils River State Natural Area, Kickapoo Cavern State Park, Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area, Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, Lake Amistad and the Amistad National Recreation Area.

Seminole Canyon State Park was opened to the public in 1980, but there has been a human presence in the area for 12,000 years, when it was first populated by early hunters. As the climate changed naturally, the landscape formed into what is now seen today. Prehistoric people living in the area painted pictographs of life in that time, and they can still be seen in at least 200 known rock shelters. In 1590, Seminole Canyon was visited by the European conqueror Castaño de Sosa, and in 1851, it was incorporated into U.S. territory when the government drew the border with Mexico. In 1882, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a route there, which was eventually abandoned, but helped mark the canyon as a place to visit, or at least pass through.

The park is open 7 days a week, year round except during public hunts, so almost anytime is a good time to visit. The busiest tourist season is during the months of March, April and May. The temperature in the canyon can vary, so check the weather before you go. It is also important to check for park conditions such as fire bans and water levels. To really enjoy the park, you must be healthy and in shape, or at least ready for a good challenge, since the hiking is not easy, so come equipped!

If you plan to stay overnight, you will pay an additional entrance fee per night or per week to use the campgrounds, with a maximum of 8 people allowed per site. Campground prices vary according to what accommodations are provided with them, such as water, showers or electricity. Reservations are recommended, and some popular sites are reserved up to a month in advance. Reservations can be made by phone, internet, or fax, at least two days prior to your arrival.

Entrance fees are very cheap, and discounts are available to visitors with a Texas State Parks Pass, a Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit, or a Texas Parklands Passport. Children under 12 years old are admitted for free. However, be prepared to pay additional fees, including a fee for parking your vehicle. Keep in mind that pets are not admitted.

Seminole Canyon State Park is located in Langtry, Texas, in Val Verde County, part of the Big Bend Country Region. It is 40 minutes west of Del Rio, and nine miles west of Comstock. To get there follow U.S. Highway 90, and you will find it just east of the Pecos River Bridge.