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Lone Star Trekking provides four- and five-day guided backpacking trips throughout the park. The company provides all gear, equipment and food.
Visitors can pick up brochures, maps and backpacking permits from the contact station. The station is open year round only closing on December 25th.
A must for hikers visiting the park, the path to the top of Texas can take 6-8 hours roundtrip. The trail provides great views of El Capitan and the interior of the park. It is a well-maintained trail and one of the park's most popular hikes. The trailhead is at Pine Springs campground. A $5 fee for day use includes 7 days' entry to the park per person, with camping at $8 addition per night. Do not underestimate this hike. The trail gains almost 3000 feet between trailhead and summit, and temperatures on top can be 15 to 20 degrees colder than in the canyon bottom, with strong winds and even some snow-covered spots in winter and spring. There are also abundant opportunities for slips and ankle turns owing to the rubble underfoot; be prepared. Be sure to sign the register in the ammo box at the top.
See the beautiful maple forests, Texas' only reproducing trout stream, and the park's original ranch house, Pratt Lodge.