There’s something inherently alluring about abandoned places. Once thriving, these destinations have long been forgotten, and oftentimes are being reclaimed by nature. There are plenty of abandoned places in Texas sure to send a chill down your spine, but this one just might take the cake. The Old Zoo Nature Trails take you through the ruins of an abandoned zoo from the 1920s, and it’s the creepiest hike you’ll ever take.
You’ve likely never heard of the tiny Eastland County town of Cisco - after all, it’s home to fewer than 4,000 people.
AllTrails/Cisco Safe This blip on the map is worth visiting, however, as it’s where you’ll find the Old Zoo Nature Trails.
Consisting of two short and easy hiking paths, the Old Zoo Nature Trails weave through the ruins of an old abandoned zoo built in the 1920s.
AllTrails/Malinda Padgett Although the Cisco Zoo wasn’t particularly large - it only had a handful of animals - vacationers still flocked to it in droves because it doubled as a cottage campground with a resort-style pool.
After the poisoning of a bear and the unrelated death of a deer, the zoo quickly fell into a state of disrepair.
AllTrails/Cisco Safe The swimming pool remained operational into the ’70s, but nature began to reclaim the cages that once held creatures captive.
In the spring of 2021, a nonprofit organization known as Students, Athletics, Families, and Education - or SAFE, for short - took on the arduous task of turning the overgrown property into a hiking area.
AllTrails/Cisco Safe Their efforts were successful, and by summertime, people were lacing up their boots to come check out the trails.
Each of the trails on this abandoned zoo hike is less than a mile long and features an elevation gain of less than 150 feet, so almost everyone can enjoy them.
AllTrails/Cisco Safe You’ll be creeped out in the best way possible as you trudge through the thick brush and up stone staircases en route to the decaying ruins of the old zoo.
From enclosures that presumably housed aquatic animals to rusty iron gates, the trails have an unmistakably eerie vibe about them.
AllTrails/Malinda Padgett Rest assured your spine will be tingling with fright!
The old abandoned zoo might be the main attraction, but the views are pretty spectacular, too!
AllTrails/Malinda Padgett Even though there isn’t much of a climb involved, you’ll still get to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the wooded landscape surrounding the trails.
Check out this YouTube video by Secrets of Texas for a virtual tour of the Old Zoo Nature Trails:
AllTrails/Cisco Safe
This blip on the map is worth visiting, however, as it’s where you’ll find the Old Zoo Nature Trails.
AllTrails/Malinda Padgett
Although the Cisco Zoo wasn’t particularly large - it only had a handful of animals - vacationers still flocked to it in droves because it doubled as a cottage campground with a resort-style pool.
The swimming pool remained operational into the ’70s, but nature began to reclaim the cages that once held creatures captive.
Their efforts were successful, and by summertime, people were lacing up their boots to come check out the trails.
You’ll be creeped out in the best way possible as you trudge through the thick brush and up stone staircases en route to the decaying ruins of the old zoo.
Rest assured your spine will be tingling with fright!
Even though there isn’t much of a climb involved, you’ll still get to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the wooded landscape surrounding the trails.
Have you embarked on this abandoned zoo hike? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments. Also, if you know of any other abandoned zoo hikes in Texas worth taking, nominate them for a chance to see them featured in an upcoming article! Check out our previous article for more eerily awesome abandoned places in Texas.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Old Zoo Nature Trails, Co Rd 112, Cisco, TX 76437, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
abandoned zoo January 13, 2023 Beth C. What are some other abandoned places in Texas? Texas is a massive state, and it stands to reason that it would be home to lots of abandoned places. And, it is! Below is a list of abandoned places in Texas that nature is slowly reclaiming:
The Wurzbach House in Rio Medina Mosheim School Falling Church located in South Bend Zedler’s Mill in Caldwell County just outside of Luling Terrell State Hospital, an abandoned insane asylum in Terrell, Texas Cottle Hotel in Paducah J.P. Torres Dry Goods and Grocery Store
What are some of the most haunted places in Texas? Whether you’re fascinated by history or consider yourself to be a ghost hunter, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no shortage of haunted places in Texas. Here are some of the most paranormal destinations in the Lone Star State:
La Carafe - Houston, Texas Presidio La Bahia - Goliad, TX Baker Hotel - Mineral Wells, TX Spaghetti Warehouse - Houston, TX The Jefferson Hotel - Jefferson, TX Hotel Galvez - Galveston, TX Granbury Opera House - Granbury, TX Emily Morgan Hotel - San Antonio, TX Bragg Road Ghost Lights - Saratoga, TX Elder Street Artist Lofts - Houston, TX Littlefield House - Austin, TX Driskill Hotel - Austin, TX
Do you have what it takes to visit some of the most haunted places in Texas?
The OIYS Visitor Center
abandoned zoo
January 13, 2023
Beth C.
What are some other abandoned places in Texas? Texas is a massive state, and it stands to reason that it would be home to lots of abandoned places. And, it is! Below is a list of abandoned places in Texas that nature is slowly reclaiming:
The Wurzbach House in Rio Medina Mosheim School Falling Church located in South Bend Zedler’s Mill in Caldwell County just outside of Luling Terrell State Hospital, an abandoned insane asylum in Terrell, Texas Cottle Hotel in Paducah J.P. Torres Dry Goods and Grocery Store
What are some of the most haunted places in Texas? Whether you’re fascinated by history or consider yourself to be a ghost hunter, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no shortage of haunted places in Texas. Here are some of the most paranormal destinations in the Lone Star State:
La Carafe - Houston, Texas Presidio La Bahia - Goliad, TX Baker Hotel - Mineral Wells, TX Spaghetti Warehouse - Houston, TX The Jefferson Hotel - Jefferson, TX Hotel Galvez - Galveston, TX Granbury Opera House - Granbury, TX Emily Morgan Hotel - San Antonio, TX Bragg Road Ghost Lights - Saratoga, TX Elder Street Artist Lofts - Houston, TX Littlefield House - Austin, TX Driskill Hotel - Austin, TX
Do you have what it takes to visit some of the most haunted places in Texas?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Texas is a massive state, and it stands to reason that it would be home to lots of abandoned places. And, it is! Below is a list of abandoned places in Texas that nature is slowly reclaiming:
- The Wurzbach House in Rio Medina
- Mosheim School
- Falling Church located in South Bend
- Zedler’s Mill in Caldwell County just outside of Luling
- Terrell State Hospital, an abandoned insane asylum in Terrell, Texas
- Cottle Hotel in Paducah
- J.P. Torres Dry Goods and Grocery Store
What are some of the most haunted places in Texas?
Whether you’re fascinated by history or consider yourself to be a ghost hunter, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no shortage of haunted places in Texas. Here are some of the most paranormal destinations in the Lone Star State:
- La Carafe - Houston, Texas
- Presidio La Bahia - Goliad, TX
- Baker Hotel - Mineral Wells, TX
- Spaghetti Warehouse - Houston, TX
- The Jefferson Hotel - Jefferson, TX
- Hotel Galvez - Galveston, TX
- Granbury Opera House - Granbury, TX
- Emily Morgan Hotel - San Antonio, TX
- Bragg Road Ghost Lights - Saratoga, TX
- Elder Street Artist Lofts - Houston, TX
- Littlefield House - Austin, TX
- Driskill Hotel - Austin, TX
Do you have what it takes to visit some of the most haunted places in Texas?
