About
If you’re looking for a stunning place to watch the sun go down during your Texas getaway, Sunset Deck is the ideal place to go.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went, but it was quite impressive!
The deck is a large wooden balcony on the edge of Balconies Canyonland Wildlife Refuge that has a fantastic view of the Canyonlands National Park, Lake Travis, and the Highland Lakes and Texas Hill Country North region.
Standing there, I witnessed the sky change right before my eyes with numerous colors and so much distance in every direction. I definitely didn’t feel like I was in the city any longer. It was impressive to see just how natural the region is even as it grows.
And for fun, I brought a pair of binoculars with me. Peering across the terrain, I was able to see deer moving through the area, along with dozens of birds.
While there, I noticed multiple informational signs about the local wildlife and discovered that this area has such a rich history with over 10,000 years of people inhabiting this area over time. In fact deep within the Canyonland National Park there are structures throughout that are mesmerizing, with rock markings that are quite intriguing.
And while you won’t see these from Sunset Deck, I do recommend making some time to check them out!
One thing to note, Sunset Deck can be tricky to find and is located within the Balconies Canyonland Wildlife Refuge. So you’ll want to make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there. And before you go, make sure to take the time to find out when the sun will set that day (and plan to be there at least 30 minutes before so you can take it all in).
Cool Things To Explore From Sunset Deck
Don’t just visit the Sunset Deck while you’re there.
If you have a day to dedicate to the outdoors, do what I did. I spent some time exploring the entire area. That includes hiking the four miles of trails at Warbler Vista and then taking a drive over to Doeskin Ranch and Shin Oak Observation Deck.
If you don’t have as much time but still want to check out something else, visit the Pond and Prairie Trail. It’s located at the Doeskin Ranch and is a simple half-mile hike. When you do, you’ll be in a natural area where there are often butterflies and a lot of wildlife habitats to explore.
Start your experience here by parking at the Sunset Deck parking lot and then accessing the Ridgeline trail. You can leave your car there while you explore the trails in the area.
Getting There
Sunset Deck is located in Balconies Canyonland Wildlife Refuge, located off Warbler Vista. It’s rather deep into the park, right off the Ridgeline Trail. Once you get to the park, you can follow the signs in it to find Sunset Deck. That’s what makes this such a fabulous place to visit – it’s not simple to find, and that makes it more of a locals-only club.
Cost
There’s no cost to visit.
Local Tips
- There’s no water available at the park, so be sure to bring plenty of it with you. You’ll also want to bring insect repellent, especially on wetter days.
- There’s no horseback riding or biking on the Ridgeline Trail. It’s all about walking it! It also is about 1.2 miles and sometimes rough, so wear good shoes for hiking. There is parking nearby, so you don’t have to walk the full mile.
- Don’t bring your pets (they are not allowed on the trail itself because of the dense wildlife population here).
- If you plan to use Google Maps use the location finder for Sunset Deck and not Balconies Canyonland Wildlife Refuge. You’ll end up missing the deck.