San Angelo State Park Synapsid Tracks
Below are directions to the tracks from the park’s entrance. Enjoy!
The San Angelo State Park Synapsid tracks are somewhat off the beaten path. These tracks are from the early or lower Permian period about 280 million years ago (50 million years before the first dinosaurs). Synapsids are a group of animals that includes mammals and every animal more closely related to mammals than to the other members of the amniote clade, such as reptiles and birds.
To see an aticle about the tracks click here.
1. Go to the park gates and pay for the entry fee. #supportstateparks
2. Drive North (right) on 2288 for six miles or seven minutes. Look for Gate 8-3 on the East (right) side. Park in the grass near the fence and walk through the swing (V) gate.
3. Turn left and head North (left) down the fire lane parallel to the highway.
4. Turn right onto the first 2 track road you come to. This will be about 3/8 of a mile North of Gate 8-3.
5. Follow the two track East (right) for about 3/8 of a mile and it will dead end at the Permian track area.
6. Along this the (3/8 mile) trail disregard this sign, and the trail to the left, it is a part of horse trail.
7. Along this the (3/8 mile) trail you will see many cactus and fire ants nest.
8. At the dead end there should be a shade shelter with a picnic table, water trough, water fountain and infor panal (close up below).
9. Turn due East (right) and head towards the fence that is about 30 yards away.
10. Walk through the gate and down the steps.
11. Please do not use rocks or sticks to “clean” the tracks, help us preserve these tracks for another 280 million years!
*Leave No Trace!* No bikes or horses allowed in the riverbed.
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