ing water, so bring plenty for you and your dog. Picnic areas with tables and benches. No camping or hunting. Swimming is discouraged. Open daily from dawn until dusk. Free admission. CIBOLO PRESERVE AND CIBOLO NATURE CENTER & FARM 140 City Park Road, Boerne, 830.249.4616. The “Farm” in the title of this popular Boerne Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area destination refers to what was once the 10,000acre Herff Ranch established in 1852, of which 62 acres were acquired by the Cibolo Nature Center in 2007, making it the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm. Since then, the site has evolved into an important historical, cultural and ecological Hill Country resource. The homestead has been restored to National Register of Historic Places standards and is permanently protected through a voluntary conservation easement. Soon, the Herff Farm will be home to the Cibolo Nature School and Learning Village at Herff Farm (slated to open in Fall 2020), with a campaign underway to build a model No wonder. At a manageable size of 117 acres, visiting Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area is like having your own six unique wildlife habitats: riparian, oak savanna, disturbed woodland/blowdown, open juniper-oak woodland, closed canopy juniper-oak woodland and old field. Vetter describes the three miles of trails as “all terrain. It might be rocky in one area, or caliche, grass or even asphalt.” The main road runs all the way down to the Guadalupe River, especially handy for paddlers and fishers to unload their gear Cibolo Preserve and Cibolo Nature Center & Farm Photo by Paul Manniko or just bring chairs to sit by the river. Three observation blinds (including one large ADA accessible) offer excellent opportunities to observe and photograph birds, butterflies and more. Visitors might glimpse feral hogs, turkey, axis and whitetailed deer, snakes, and once in a while, says Vetter, “a huge red stag. They’re so big they look almost like elk.” As a natural area, Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area is “relatively untouched,” Photo by Paul Manniko says Vetter, and ideal for exploring. For example, a cave and two sinkholes discovered during a 2010 archeological study are not marked. “As soon as you set foot on a trail, it won’t be long before you are completely lost in nature.” NEED TO KNOW: Pet friendly, and all dogs must be on leash. Portable restrooms, both regular and ADA. No drink-
Photo by Allison Russell
Photo by Allison Russell
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