Fredericksburg is a land of myths and secrets, such as the mysterious groans heard during the summer on Enchanted Rock, or why the hillsides were set on fire each Easter-eve by giant bunnies. Cross Mountain, located just outside the city limits, bears it’s own mystery. In 1847, during the founding of the city, a cross was found on the top of a neaby hill, although no one knew who put it there or why. It was given the name, “Kreuzberg” or Cross Mountain. Today, it is a city park and a terrific place to stretch your legs after a day shopping in town, or grab a picnic lunch if you arrived too late at nearby Enchanted Rock, which closes when the park reaches capacity, something that happens almost every weekend.
The latter was how we found Cross Mountain, after arriving at Enchanted Rock SNA at about 10:40am on a cold and wet Saturday morning in February, only to find the entrance closed off by numerous State Park officials, who told us to come back at 2:30pm. We took our overly filled car load of boys into Fredericksburg to find a place where we could all get out of the car, when we saw the sign for Cross Mountain.
The hill overlooks a large parking area, a few picnic tables and an open area where the boys played football for a while, until they were ready for lunch. After eating, we began our climb up the hill, which has trails that circle around for an easy hike of a little over a mile, or you can take the stairs straight to the top in about five minutes.
We took the longer hike up the hill, which was easy. A small grotto in the hill was noteworthy, although the area was fenced off. There weren’t many people in the park that day, but we did meet a group looking for the only geocache at the park. If you’re new to geocaching, it’s a fun and inexpensive activity, like a treasure hunt, for the entire family. Click HERE to visit geocaching.com and learn more about it.
From the top, you have a nice view of the area, probably including Downtown Fredericksburg on a clear day. Our day, however, was not clear, as a heavy fog settled on us during our climb, and we had very little visibility, but it made for a neat picture before we headed back down.
At night, the cross is lit up, and visible for miles!
With a little more time to kill, we headed to the front of the park, which also offers a nice little nature trail on flat ground.
Know Before You Go
There are no restrooms at the park, and nothing nearby. Go before you arrive.
Things To Do in Fredericksburg
Play
Enchanted Rock SNA is one of the top destinations in Texas! Climb to the summit, or hike through the giant rocks around the bottom in Echo Canyon! Click HERE to read more!
Wildseed Farms is a nursery, but with an incredible landscaping, gift shop and small cafe. Click HERE to read more.
Downtown Fredericksburg is filled with shops, stores, galleries, and much more! There are numerous vineyards in the area that offer tours, tastings, cafes and gift shops!
Eat
Jennie’s Smoked Burgers and Tornado Fries at 319 E. Main St. is one of our favorites!
Stay
My kids LOVE Jellystone Resorts, and the Texas Wine Country Jellystone is a blast, with activities going on almost every weekend! Click HERE to read more.
Cross Mountain Park
North on Milam, Fredericksburg
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
© Having Fun in the Texas Sun , 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Having Fun in the Texas Sun with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Please click HERE to read our disclaimer.
