Pine Ridge Overlook

Pine Ridge Overlook is one of the longest hikes at McKinney Roughs Nature Area offering 2.7 miles through piney woods that overlook valleys and offer glimpses of the Colorado River. McKinney Roughs is considered a nature and learning park and requires a $5 entrance fee per-person at the Visitor Center.

The hike to the Overlook is considered easy on the trail map but can quickly become challenging if you plan to hike Pine Ridge Trail passed the overlook. The trail starts at McKinney Roughs smaller parking area off of Highway 71 where the pin is dropped on the map. Make sure to grab a trail map from the parking area and you will begin your hike after entering under the wooden trail post with the words Happy Trails painted on it. From here you will start the hike on Whitetail Trail and will quickly turn off to your right for Pine Ridge Trail shortly after trail marker 2. Now that you are on Pine Ridge Trail it's about a 30 minute hike to the Overlook through pocket prairies filled with wildflowers. At this point you can choose to bask in the views and relax at the perfectly placed bench or continue on Pine Ridge Trail which will eventually end at the Colorado River.

McKinney Roughs offers 17.9 total trail miles and is a great place to hike if you want to spend several hours exploring. On the way out, stop by Benny's Texas Bar-B-Que just east of the park and grab a cold drink and enjoy the chop beef at this family-owned Bar-B-Que joint!