There's something inherently alluring about an abandoned zoo hike, and the Old Zoo Nature Trails just might take the cake when it comes to abandoned places in Texas that are sure to send a chill down your spine. These types of hikes show us destinations that have long been forgotten and, often, are being reclaimed by nature. The Old Zoo Nature Trails in Cisco, Texas take you through the ruins of an abandoned zoo from the 1920s, and it's the creepiest hike you'll ever take.
You've likely never heard of the tiny Eastland County town of Cisco - after all, it's home to fewer than 4,000 people.
This blip on the map is worth visiting, however, as it's where you'll find the Old Zoo Nature Trails.
Consisting of two short and easy hiking paths, the Old Zoo Nature Trails weave through the ruins of an old abandoned zoo built in the 1920s.
Although the Cisco Zoo wasn't particularly large - it only had a handful of animals - vacationers still flocked to it in droves, because it doubled as a cottage campground with a resort-style pool.
After the poisoning of a bear and the unrelated death of a deer, the zoo quickly fell into a state of disrepair.
The swimming pool remained operational into the '70s, but nature began to reclaim the cages that once held creatures captive.
In the spring of 2021, a nonprofit organization known as Students, Athletics, Families, and Education - or SAFE, for short - took on the arduous task of turning the overgrown property into a hiking area.
Their efforts were successful, and by summertime, people were lacing up their boots to come check out the trails.
Each of the trails on this abandoned zoo hike is less than a mile long and features an elevation gain of less than 150 feet, so almost everyone can enjoy them.
You'll be creeped out in the best way possible as you trudge through the thick brush and up stone staircases en route to the decaying ruins of the old zoo.
From enclosures that presumably housed aquatic animals to rusty iron gates, the trails have an unmistakably eerie vibe about them.
Rest assured your spine will be tingling with fright!
The old abandoned zoo might be the main attraction, but the views are pretty spectacular, too!
Even though there isn't much of a climb involved, you'll still get to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the wooded landscape surrounding the trails.
Head over to AllTrails for more information about this abandoned zoo hike, and don't forget to sign up for AllTrails+ for special perks such as offline map access. Check out this YouTube video by Secrets of Texas for a virtual tour of the Old Zoo Nature Trails:
Have you hiked the Old Zoo Nature Trails in Cisco, Texas? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments. Also, if you know of another abandoned zoo hike worth taking, nominate it for a chance to see them featured in an upcoming article! Check out our previous article for more eerily awesome abandoned places in Texas.
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