Sentinel Peak Preserve
Sentinel Peak and the Blanco River, Hays County, Texas. Photo by Megan Navarro (Wehring)
Sentinel Peak Preserve
Tom Jones
“The Nature Conservancy was very happy to partner with Hays County to protect this property that is not only significant for its conservation value but has also been so important to so many people over the years. We are excited to see how it develops as a public park and natural area.”
— Jeff Francell of the Nature Conservancy
Hays Free Press April 22, 2022
Hays County announced that it expects to close on its purchase of the Sentinel Peak Preserve by April 29, 2022. This is a major win for Hays County parks. In 2019, Hays County partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to acquire the Sentinel Peak Preserve. This was the first project funded under the Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond.
Located south of Wimberley near the Devil’s Backbone, Sentinel Peak Preserve serves as habitat protection for the Golden-cheeked Warbler, a federally listed endangered species included in the Hays County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan. It also features a riverfront park along an approximately one-mile stretch of a pristine segment of the Blanco River. The riverfront park will include low-impact swimming, recreation and other activities to ensure the conservation and environmental protection priorities of the preserve.
View of Sentinel Peak from the Devil’s Backbone road (RR 32)
The 530-acre Sentinel Peak Preserve is one of the largest in Hays County. For comparison, the Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Ranch and Nature Preserve is 384 acres, and Zilker Park in Austin is 350 acres. In Hays county there are currently 1,225 acres of publicly owned parks and 3,083 acres of publicly owned open space.
When opened to the public, Hays County will provide reservation-based, low-impact public access along the river and trails. This project also preserves the water quality and quantity for the Blanco River, San Marcos Springs and River, and the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers. The Sentinel Park Preserve will create many opportunities for HaysMN projects. HCMNs will be the volunteer support needed to make it suitable for public use and wildlife management.
Looking down on the Blanco River from Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak Preserve is at the heart of what is commonly referred to as the Devil's Backbone area. I camped there with my son at the former El Rancho Cima Boy Scout Ranch. One of my best memories is camping with him on top of Sentinel Peak. I will always remember the night sky view and the incredible stars.
Both the Comanche and Kiowa used this area of the Devil’s Backbone for their camps. They took advantage of the view from Sentinel Peak to monitor the early settlers moving into this beautiful Hill Country landscape. Living in Wimberley, I cross the Devil's Backbone frequently. Every time I catch a glimpse of Sentinel Peak with its lone tree on the summit, the wonderful memory of camping with my son at El Rancho Cima returns.
