Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve

Just 5 minutes off Interstate10: Wildlife viewing, a natural sciences museum and adventurous hiking trails make Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve the perfect reason for a “nature stop” - and to enjoy an extra day of adventure in beautiful Sonora, Texas. The Preserve boasts a unique 37 acre landscape complete with diversified wildlife, hiking trails, picnic areas, and Nature Center with a gift shop. No fee to enjoy.

The Nature Center, repurposed from a 110+ year old historic home, has interpretive exhibits for Pre-history eras with Native American artifacts, a Mammoth Tusk unearthed in Sonora and fossils from the Cretaceous period.  A “hands on” geological exhibit of rocks from Central Texas highlight the natural science display, and the Wildlife Room has mounted displays of mammals, birds, butterflies and reptiles from the region. Additionally, the Center offers meeting space, a gift shop and a research library for all ages. Porches and grounds allow for picnic space with a view of the rolling hills of Central Texas, and the Birding Nook has seating and binoculars for “armchair” adventurers.

On the edge of the Hill Country, the Edwards Plateau and the plains of West Texas, the acreage at Eaton Hill Preserve is truly a living classroom in which to enjoy the flora, fauna and geology of Central Texas. Located in the center of the eat/west fly-zone, the birding is excellent with species from central and west Texas making a year-round home, or traveling through at spring or fall migration. It is easy to add to each of your Wildlife “lists” here, maybe even an endangered species or two. Deer, foxes, turkey and more are easy to spot most days on the Preserve. The variety of wildflowers, native plants, grasses and the animals, insects and birds that enjoy them - are amazing.

Approximately four miles of hiking trails meander through the Preserve and vary from challenging rocky outcrops with embedded fossils to shady wooded trails and on to open hill top views. The natural settings are perfect for photography, adventure and education. Geocaches are planted on the Hill as well! Eaton Hill trails are semi-improved trails for walking only and are open every day from sunup to sundown. Please note - The Preserve has a “hike at your own risk” policy. Trails are free of charge. We ask that you take nothing but photographs and memories and leave nothing but footprints.

The Nature Center is open Friday through Tuesday from 10:00am until 5:00pm.

Schedules for certain private events and group tours can be accommodated. Closed for major holidays, and some local special events - so please check with the office for your special trip. No vehicles of any kind on trails, no overnight camping or campfires. Dogs on leash allowed.

Area Visitor Information is available at the Center. Located in the heart of downtown Sonora, Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve is nearby to shopping, lodging and dining. See the Sonora chamber of Commerce for more information.