December 2020
Mother Neff State Park
| Pond Trail | Easy | 0.6 miles |
| Prairie Loop | Easy | 0.6 miles |
| Playground Trail | Easy | 0.1 miles |
| Cave Trail | Moderate | 0.2 miles |
| Tower Trail | Moderate | 0.6 miles |
Pond Trail – Prairie Loop – Playground Trail
I recommend combining these three trails to make a .85 mile loop with a fun end at the playgrounds, plural! Park at the Nature Playscape and pick up the Pond Trail directly across the road. There is no trailhead marker here, the trailhead marker is located at Campsite #11. Walking this stretch of the Pond Trail through the camp area takes you past the bathrooms, some info boards, and the remains of a smoke pit used by the CCC. Once you take the trail past campsite #11, it begins to feel more like a hiking trail. Watch for Harvester Ant colonies along the trail. There are info signs that explain why Harvester Ants are good for the environment, but don’t let your kids get too close… they can bite! At the northernmost tip of the Pond Trail, there is a small pond which was originally formed by the CCC. Here you’ll find a bird blind and benches. Walk around the pond to look for animal tracks in the mud, collect snail shells (but make sure to leave them behind before you exit the pond area!), and watch frogs hop into the reedy waters. I would not recommend this shallow, stagnant water for playing in, especially in the hot months. Before the Pond Trail crosses the road to the Prairie Loop Trail, there is a small circle of benches well suited for outdoor nature lessons. Across the road, the Prairie Loop Trail continues to show you much of the same, flat terrain. There are the occasional Juniper Ashe trees providing shade, but this is largely a sunny trail. At the end of the Prairie Loop Trail, there is a playground on the other side of the road. It’s a simple playground with a single slide, small set of swings, and a climbing structure, but it is well maintained and our kids viewed it as a reward at the end of their hike. Follow the Playground Trail back to the parking lot and you’ll see the Nature Playscape. This area is more designed for exploring and learning with climbing structures made from natural materials and noise makers. There is a Smokey the Bear sign reminding you to “prevent forest fires” and a friendly armadillo statue who is happy to have little ones scamper over his back.
Cave Trail
The Cave Trail is only .2 miles long, but it does not go in a loop, so to walk the whole thing you will have to go out and back. It spans from a small parking lot to an intersection with the Tower Trail. The Tonkawa Cave is the biggest attraction here. It was formerly used as a shelter by the Tonkawa people and is a fun space to explore. Determined little explorers might even want to go off trail and scramble around the side of the cave to stand above it. The cave is located near the parking lot and could be an easy, quick stop if you just want to check it out and be on your way. Be aware that you will have to walk down a short set of stairs, with handrails, to access the cave from the parking lot. If you choose to continue down the trail past the cave, you will enjoy a trail of moderate difficulty. Primarily this is due to the occasional rock or root that you will have to step up and over. Our two year old was able to walk the trail with only the occasional hand hold for a particularly large step. The trail ends at the CCC Table point of interest on the Tower Trail.
Tower Trail
The Tower Trail is arguably the most challenging trail in the park, with the longest length (.6 miles) and moderate difficulty, but this should not discourage you from traveling it with your little explorers. It is an out and back trail that intersects four times with other trails and can easily be turned into a longer, or shorter, loop adventure. There are also two points of interest along this trail, the CCC Table and the CCC Rock Tower, both of which are located less than .1 miles from the southern trailhead. Starting from the southern trailhead you will immediately encounter the CCC Rock Table at the intersection with Cave Trail. There are clear trail markers that will point you in the right direction to continue across a wooden bridge. After a short climb up the hill, you will find the CCC Rock Tower. This beautiful tower includes stairs that take you to the top for a wide open view of the Texas hill country. If you strictly follow the Tower Trail you will end at the campsites’ parking area and restroom. Traveling back you will have options to additionally explore the Wash Pond Trail, the Bluff Trail, or the Cave Trail.
