Purgatory Creek Natural Area
Trail system in San Marcos
- Town
- San Marcos
- Good for
- trail running, mtb, hiking
- Trailhead
- Lower Purgatory trailhead (Hunter Rd)
2101 Hunter Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666 - Fees & hours
- City park hours are 6am-11pm unless posted otherwise; no entry fee is listed.
- Know before you go
- Bicycles yield to hikers, and riders should stay off muddy trails.
- Horses, motor vehicles, camping, campfires, glass containers and weapons are not permitted in the natural areas; stay on established trails.
- Animals must be restrained at all times and waste picked up (city code).
- Info checked
- Oct 28, 2026 from official park pages. Closures change; check before you go.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area is one of San Marcos's city-managed natural areas, with soft-surface trails open to hikers and bicycles and several trailheads on the city's trail maps. Cyclists are asked to yield to walkers and to stay off muddy trails, while horses, camping and campfires are not permitted. It suits trail runners, hikers and casual mountain bikers who want a dirt-trail outing close to town.
Rides, runs & races nearby
- Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
- Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Routes and trail info are for planning only and may be out of date. Conditions change fast after rain. Never cross a low-water crossing with water flowing over it. Ride and run only where it's public and allowed; respect closed gates, private property and park rules. A line on a map is not permission to be somewhere. You go at your own risk. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Coming soon: the weekend email
We're putting together a short Thursday email with the best group rides, gravel rides, group runs and races around San Marcos for the coming weekend. Free. Sign up now and you'll get the first one.