Albert and Bessie Kronkosky left their 3,852-acre ranch to the people of Texas to keep it wild. It is not open yet — the state is still building it out — but when it opens, it will be one of the rarest stretches of country in the Hill Country, open to camping and hiking.
TPWD has not set an opening date — construction is underway. Please do not try to visit. Follow the official page for opening news.
Tucked into the hills near Pipe Creek, this is 3,852 acres the Kronkosky family chose to protect rather than sell. A state natural area is land set aside first for its rare features — the recreation comes second, and carefully. When it opens, it will be a quiet one.
Albert and Bessie Kronkosky began buying this land in 1946 and willed it to the state to keep it from development. Texas Parks & Wildlife accepted the donation in 2011.
The land shelters rare and endangered Hill Country species — the golden-cheeked warbler, big-toothed maple, sycamore-leaf snowbell, and Texas spring salamander among them — along with springs and weeps that feed it.
When the site opens, the plans call for camping, backpacking, hiking, and some limited mountain biking — kept light, to protect what makes the place worth saving.
While Kronkosky is still being built, there is plenty of open country close by to explore right now.
Open today, a short drive away near Bandera — 5,370 primitive acres built for riders and hikers. See the page
Backroads Hill Country has represented Bandera and Pipe Creek rentals since 2001. Backroads ↗
The best way to know when Kronkosky opens is the official TPWD page and the park’s own social channels. When it does, it will be worth the wait.