Established along Native American trails, Ranchería Grande was a diverse settlement of 23 Indigenous nations when Spanish explorers first encountered it in the 18th century. This joint settlement pooled resources for subsistence and defense, while also serving as a refuge for Native peoples fleeing Spanish missions. The 2.2 mile loop walk takes you through the rolling Post Oak Savannah hills of Central Texas.

At the site, you visit only a small portion of Ranchería Grande. For many years its location was unknown, but recent archeology shows that it covered parts of several modern counties.

There are multiple opportunities to view original trail trace. The trail swales are shallow, linear depressions formed by human and animal traffic over many years of use. They are physical traces of El Camino Real, which followed Indigenous pathways across Texas.