The Incredible Hike In Texas That Leads To A Fascinating Abandoned Castle Tower

Ever since I wrote about the Old Zoo Nature Trails a while back, I've been obsessed with hikes to abandoned places in Texas. Seeing places with rich histories and wondering what secrets they may harbor never gets old to me, and Comanche Lookout Park in San Antonio is no exception. It features a 4-story, medieval-style stone tower that was supposed to be part of a castle, but the finished product never came to be. Today, you can hike right up to the tower (without going inside, of course), and it's such a grand adventure.

A 96-acre public park in San Antonio, Comanche Lookout Park has an incredibly fascinating history.

It's centered around a 1340-foot hill known as Comanche Hill that is thought to have been used by Native Americans as a strategic lookout point many years ago.

The property is rich in lush vegetation, surrounded by waterways such as Cibolo Creek.

Between the hill, the plant life, and the water, it's no wonder why Native American groups such as the Apache and Comanche (after whom the park is named) made their homes in the area during the Spanish Colonial period.

Over the years, the land changed hands many times, eventually being sold to retired Army Colonel Edward H. Coppock in February 1923.

He had plans to construct a castle-like house atop Comanche Hill, but completed only the tower and foundation for the home before his death in 1948.

The castle project was abandoned after Coppock's passing, but the developer who later purchased the land never demolished the tower.

Today, it remains standing - boarded up windows and all - slowly succumbing to the elements.

In the early 1990s, the City of San Antonio purchased the land and turned it into a beautiful public park complete with trails, picnic tables, and more while still preserving the rich history and natural beauty of the site.

Most of the trails offer up-close views of the tower, but my personal favorite is the Tower Loop Trail because it's quick, easy, and doesn't skimp on scenery.

Clocking in at just a mile long, this short and sweet loop has an elevation gain of under 100 feet and only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish...which gives you more time to admire the abandoned castle tower and relax on a bench or picnic table while enjoying the views.

Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Tower Loop Trail, and don't forget to sign up for AllTrails+ if you're interested in perks such as offline map access and national park guides.

Have you ever taken this incredible hike? Are there any other hikes to abandoned places in Texas that we should know about? Tell us in the comments! Check out our previous article below for a nearby theme park that proudly holds the title of the "World's First Ultra-Accessible™ Family Fun Park."

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/texas/inclusive-playground-expansion-tx/