The Old Zoo Nature Trail (Cisco, TX)

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Abandoned Bear Pits Old Cisco Zoo Texas

The concrete remains of a 1920s playground for exotic animals and local legends.

The Backstory

In the early 1920s, the town of Cisco was booming. To celebrate, they built a state-of-the-art zoo featuring everything from deer and elk to bears and monkeys. It was a crown jewel of Eastland County, but the glory was short-lived. By the time the Great Depression hit, the zoo fell into neglect, and a dark shadow was cast over the park following an infamous, unsolved murder on the grounds.

The zoo was officially abandoned decades ago, but the cages were never torn down. Today, the Old Zoo Nature Trail allows you to hike through the brush and stumble upon massive concrete bear pits, tiered monkey cages, and stone grottos that are slowly being swallowed by the Texas forest. It’s a haunting, beautiful walk through a forgotten era of roadside entertainment.

Why It Matters

This is the definition of a hidden gem. While most travelers stop in Cisco to see the first-ever Hilton Hotel, only a few know to head up to the hills behind the dam. It represents a time when small Texas towns had big dreams—and it serves as a quiet reminder of how quickly nature takes back the land when we walk away. It’s eerie, peaceful, and perfectly "backroads."

🐾 At a Glance

  • Location: Cisco, TX (Near the Old Cisco Dam).
  • The Hike: An easy-to-moderate trail that winds through old stone structures.
  • Vibe: "Life After People" — ruined concrete and quiet woods.

Our Pro-Tip

Wear bug spray and solid hiking boots! Because this area is overgrown and near the water, the mosquitoes can be fierce. Most of the structures are safe to look at from the trail, but be careful if you decide to step inside the old pits—the concrete is nearly a century old and can be slick with moss. It’s best visited in the late fall when the leaves have thinned out, making the ruins easier to spot from a distance.

Tread lightly where the wild things used to be.

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