I was looking at a map of the Texas hill country when I noticed a huge piece of land set aside as a wildlife refuge called Balcones Canyonlands near Marble Falls. Does anybody have any info on it, particularly whether or not hiking or backpacking is permitted?

I don't think all of it is accessible, but there are plenty of things to do out there.

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/balcones/thingstodo.html

My friends grandpa owned somewhere around 20,000 acres in that area at one point. They sold 7,000 acres in the early 90's to the Fed Gov that is now part of that refuge. All they have left is a 40 acres and an old lake house outside lago vista, and of course a huge nest egg from the sale.

You should be able to hike around. Hunting and fishing is allowed with proper permits.

There is, IIRC, a large off road area out there that allows you to take you ATV, motorcycles, and off roaders into some pretty challenging roads and trails.

they had some easy hiking trails the one time I was out there, the road up the hill form 1431 sucked for my wife's old Oldsmobile though.

I've been out there several times. About 3 to 4 miles of trails near the Liberty Hill entrance. Easy hiking. Nice views. Odds are good that you'll have the place to yourself. I've only encountered other hikers one time and that was a family of 3.

Overnight camping is not allowed.

[This message has been edited by Pacing The Cage (edited 12/28/2010 9:16a).]

its around 35k acres paid for with taxpayer dollars that we have extremely limited access to and no hunting.

If you are a golden cheeked warbler or black cat verio , you are in luck. They are a the main reason you can't access that which you paid for. You see, the mountain cedar which is a non-native invader specie that makes all of us sick this time of year is a prime habitat for both of those birds, both of which are arguably not supposed to be here in the numbers they are either. But that's ok, it's just hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes confiscating even more private property and shutting hunters and sportmsman from passing on their love of the outdoors to the next generation.

Revolution!

Where is the off road area? I'd love to take my Jeep out there!

quote:

---

You see, the mountain cedar which is a non-native invader specie that makes all of us sick this time of year is a prime habitat for both of those birds, both of which are arguably not supposed to be here in the numbers they are either. But that's ok, it's just hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes confiscating even more private property and shutting hunters and sportmsman from passing on their love of the outdoors to the next generation.

---

Did we step into a time machine and arrive in 1950? There's so much misinformation here, I don't even know where to begin. Ashe juniper a non-native? Come on, now. Cedar abundance is a benefit to Black-capped Vireo? That's news to researchers as well. Hunting not allowed in the park? OK.
http://www.balconessongbirdfestival.org/hunting

But the fed is involved so feel free to wail away!!!

I deer hunted it several years ago, lots of cedar and not many deer. Federal GW's on duty, and they are not nice. Gave one guy a ticket for his pen running out of ink when he was filling out his license.

The only off roading in that area that im aware of is Hidden Falls Adventure Park off of 1431 on the right hand side before you get to Marble Falls. Pretty cool place to ride.