Overview
- The Backcountry Area opened for self-guided day use on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and visitors enter through a pedestrian gate reached after roughly a two-mile hike from the park headquarters.
- Park staff installed two water refill stations, a portable restroom, and new trail maps, and set hours for the Backcountry at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- There is no vehicle parking in the new section and the trails are rugged with limited shade, so officials strongly advise bringing plenty of water, sun protection, salty snacks, a cellphone, and hiking with a partner.
- Standard day-use fees apply: $8 per adult with children 12 and under free, and reservations are recommended during busy periods.
- The opening is the first public phase of several thousand acres added under the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a move intended to double the protected area around Enchanted Rock and give managers tools to spread visitation away from the summit.