If you’re a mountain biker or trail runner, Reveille Peak Ranch is a spot you don’t want to miss. Less than an hour drive from the Lake Travis area is where you’ll find some of the best mapped trails in the area. It’s close enough to make it a quick day trip or you can bring the camping gear for a weekend or more. Once you go, it’s very likely that you will be back for more.
There are two options for getting there depending on which side of the Lake Travis area you’re coming from. One option is to travel on 183 north up to 29 and pass through Liberty Hill on your way to Burnet. The other way, and possibly a little bit more scenic, is the Hwy 71 route through Marble Falls. Reveille Peak Ranch is located just off 29 and 2341. You won’t see any large signage guiding you in, so check out a map or plug the address into a GPS.
A friend has been raving about mountain biking at this place for years and I didn’t have a chance to make it out until recently. After a Saturday spent exploring the trails, I’m kicking myself for not making it out sooner.
If you’ve ever ridden slickrock in Moab, Utah, this is the Texas version and it’s about as good as it gets. Pick up a map when you check-in and get ready to ride! You’ll discover that all the trails are well-marked with white PVC posts and a colored tip that corresponds to the level of difficulty.
The terrain is a good mix of dirt road, smooth single track, and granite outcrops. There are miles and miles of trails winding through 1,300 acres of Texas Hill Country with different skill levels ranging from beginner to most difficult.
Once you break above the tree line to ride the terrain that surrounds Reveille Peak, the trail starts to zigzag on top of the granite and through rock gardens. Trails are well-marked with reflectors that are stuck on the rock to help guide you along the Texas slickrock. Some of the most spectacular views are at Decision Point, where you can see for 100 miles with Lake Buchanan off in the distance.
If you decide to make it a camping trip, you’ll appreciate the setup and all the other amenities at the ranch. The owners of Reveille Peak Ranch have taken great care in providing visitors with everything you could possibly need. There’s a large pavilion with a huge grill, brick oven, seating, stage, and a flat-screen TV. You’ll also find public restrooms and showers for getting cleaned up after a long day out on the trails.
Texas version of the balancing rock.
Not only are you surrounded by beautiful scenery and some of the best mountain biking trails in Texas, but a large lake for fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and the option to rent stand-up paddle boards are just a few of the other activities to do in the area.
Be sure to check out the Reveille Peak Bike Festival coming up on March 21-23. Get more information about hours, rates, camping, activities, and upcoming events.
And you’re not mountain biking in Texas unless you see one of these guys out on the trail with you …
Reveille Peak Ranch
105 CR 114 Burnet, Texas 78611 (map)
(512) 755-1177
