Devil's Den (San Antonio, Salado, Medina: apartments, construction, high school)

[majormadmax]

Does anyone know what the status is of Devil's Den west of Ingram Mall? That link shows that it is open for ORVs, and it was last updated on 25 Nov 2007; but I also heard about two years ago that the city was in the process of property acquisition negotiations with the owners.

Cheers! M2

[TXtrkgrl]

Very interesting. People have been going there for 30 years and then all of a sudden a couple of years ago the cops started giving tickets. I've only been in there about three times but I was a nervous wreck pulling out onto the street because I just knew there would be a cop waiting for me.

I will ask some guys in my 4x4 club if they know anything about this and let you know what they say.

[Qwes1]

Didn't 2 kids get killed over there back in '97?

[majormadmax]

Thanks Malone, if I had to guess I would say it is still off-limits, and I won't risk wheeling there until I know for sure it is OK. But I've heard a lot of great things about the place, and there is even a video on YouTube of someone out there within the past couple of years...

Cheers! M2

[Culebra2Adkins]

I remember four-wheeling there with my 95 Wrangler back in the late 90s. It's great back there. Unfortunately it is definately off limits.

[SilverCreek78250]

I've never been there but lived in the apartments at 7585 Ingram Rd about 20 years ago when they were called something different than they are now (I can't recall either name). Anyway, I do recall there were a few kids found dead back there but can't recall the details.

I know this hasn't been a lot of help.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by SilverCreek78250

I've never been there but lived in the apartments at 7585 Ingram Rd about 20 years ago when they were called something different than they are now (I can't recall either name). Anyway, I do recall there were a few kids found dead back there but can't recall the details.

I know this hasn't been a lot of help.

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't a Holmes HS student killed there by fellow students many years ago?

[TXtrkgrl]

It doesn't look like it is open to ORV's. Here is the response to an email sent to Todd Hoffmaster:


Thank you for your inquiry in regard to possible use of the area commonly known as the "Devil's Den", located on Leon Creek in northwest San Antonio.
The area in question for many years was private property and off roading was a common-- albeit somewhat technically illegal-- pastime on the property. (the property owner didn't care how or if people used it, but folks that did use it were technically "trespassing" on private property.

However, in response to two City bond elections-- in 1999 and 2003-- the City of San Antonio began to acquire property along each of the three major creekways in San Antonio (Leon Creek, Salado Creek and the Medina River) in order to develop a linear creekway park system (as approved by the voters), consisting of some 50 miles (when fully completed in 2012-2013) of multi use trails. Most of that creekway land is now City park property, with some of the acquired property already under construction. The first two developed segments will open later this summer, with various segments being constructed and opened for public use over the next 5 years.

In answer to your question, the Devil's Den area is now city property and it is unlawful to operate any motorized vehicles in any stream channel, creek, drainage way, or flood control easement, which this property is designated as.

At the end of this month, further ordinances are being contemplated by City Council for the creekway park system specifically, which will also regulate vehicular use at the trailheads, etc.

So, the short version of this explanation is that you are correct in regard to the fact that Devil's Den is no longer usable for "off road" vehicles.

The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition hasn't updated their site in quite some time, and, unfortunately, is misrepresenting the potential usage of this area.
I hope this answers your question satisfactorily. If you have other questions, please feel free to call.

At Your Service,
Timothy J. Packard
Sgt. Tim Packard, #9571
Administrative Sergeant
San Antonio Park Police
600 Hemisfair Park, #337
San Antonio, TX, 78205
wk (210) 207-2241
cell (210) 844-1230
fax (210) 222-2177

[Culebra2Adkins]

If I'm not mistaken the last name of one of the students killed was Andersen. His father worked out at Southwest Research and a campus-wide email was sent out regarding the incident.

[Spock's Beard]

I used to got here all the time when I was in high school (1988 - 1991), but the gangsters moved in and everyone else moved out. It has also become a dumping ground for trash, so it's not exactly the cleanest tract of wooded area around. Some homeless people also live there.