Comal County nature preserve is open for the first time on a limited basis by reservations only

The Morton Preserve off of River Road outside of New Braunfels offers a stunning view of the Guadalupe River, but it's open to the public for a limited time.

Part of a former ranch, the 288-acre property was acquired in 2008 by Comal County as a sanctuary for the golden-cheeked warbler, an endangered songbird that winters in Mexico and breeds in the Hill Country during the summer.

The land was acquired through grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

While the songbird is away on a winter vacation to warmer climates, the preserve is open to the public from September to February. This is the first year that visitors are allowed through a reservation system.

Visitors are limited to hiking a half-mile-long former ranch road and a paved parking area. The park is mainly a tangle of oaks and Ashe junipers surrounding meadows guarded by prickly pear cactus and thorny bushes. The afternoon I visited, the only wildlife present were yellow butterflies.

Still, it was worth the journey just for the spectacular view of the river valley from the bluff.

To get to the well-hidden turnoff to the left of the Action Angler fly shop you have to travel several miles of River Road. Despite the nearly continuous line of riverside campgrounds, vacation homes, and tubing outfitters, River Road is still one of the most scenic byways in the area.

The Morton Preserve is outside of New Braunfels off of River Road just west of the Third Crossing. The nature preserve is open from 7am to 5pm. Reservations must be made through Comal County at www.cceo.org/parks/morton-preserve in order to get the code to the locked gate. There are no facilities at the park, and dogs are not allowed. The view of the river from the bluff is worth the price of admission.