The Old Zoo Nature Trail | Historic Cisco Hike
Explore the beauty of The Old Zoo Nature Trail and discover the unique flora, fauna, and history that inhabit this remarkable path just minutes from your stay at Inez Spring.
Discover a Piece of Texas History
Looking for a short, memorable walk with real Texas history? The Old Zoo Nature Trail leads past 1920s zoo ruins and offers beautiful Lake Cisco views. This Cisco abandoned zoo trail is just a quick hop from Eastland. Before you go, preview details and recent photos on the official AllTrails overview of the Old Zoo Nature Trail.
Plan Your Cisco Adventure
First, secure your comfortable base camp at Inez Spring. Choose from our shaded RV sites, spacious barndominium, or rustic campsites. Then, book your stay online effortlessly. Finally, use our park map to plan your exploration of area attractions.
What You'll Discover Along the Path
Follow a approximately 1-mile path past stone foundations, old animal pens, and famous concrete pool remains. These Cisco zoo ruins tell a fascinating story of 1920s ambition and community spirit. The AllTrails page for the Old Zoo Nature Trail provides excellent context about the site’s history and current conditions.
Curious about the massive pool’s backstory? This engineering marvel connects to the Cisco dam project that created Lake Cisco. Read the fascinating Texas civil engineering feature on the Cisco dam and concrete pool for the full story.
How This Historic Gem Came Back to Life
A local nonprofit—SAFE (Students, Athletics, Families & Education)—spearheaded the trail’s revival. Their volunteers cleared brush, reopened paths, and transformed the site into a walkable loop. See inspiring before-and-after photos in this coverage of the trail cleanup and reopening.
Tips for Your Old Zoo Nature Trail Cisco TX Visit
Wear grippy shoes since some sections are rocky
Bring water and a small brush to carefully dust off historic carvings
Respect the ruins—photograph but don’t disturb structures
Pair your walk with a lakeside picnic using our picnic facilities
Extend Your Adventure Beyond the Old Zoo Trails
After exploring the Old Zoo Nature Trail Cisco TX, continue your adventure with these nearby options:
- Hike shoreline trails and watch for wildlife at Possum Kingdom State Park
- Track development progress at the new Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
- Enjoy local flavors at area breweries and wineries
- Return to Inez Spring for riverside walking trails and our seasonal pool
Ready to Explore The Old Zoo Nature Trail?
Start your historic hiking adventure today! Book your riverside retreat at our RV park, campsite, or spacious barndominium and discover why The Old Zoo Nature Trail remains one of Central Texas’ most fascinating historic hikes.