Comanche Lookout is a scenic viewpoint in Bexar County, Texas. It lies in or next to El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, so park hours, fees and rules apply. The nearest town is Live Oak, about 3.7 km (2.3 mi) away (Comanche Lookout lies NW of town).
From the National Park Service
Located in northeastern San Antonio, Comanche Lookout, also known as Comanche Hill, is the fourth-highest point in Bexar County, and has served as a waypoint and lookout for thousands of years. Standing at an elevation of 1340 feet, it is an ideal spot for observing the surrounding landscape, including El Camino Real de los Tejas, which runs along its base. [1]
Comanche Lookout and the surrounding areas were once home to a variety of Coahuiltecan-speaking peoples. Archeological surveys of Comanche Hill have uncovered a dart point, stone tool, and several blade cores. While local folklore suggests that the hill holds buried treasure, archaeological investigations have not turned up any evidence to support this legend. [2] It is probable that these early inhabitants used the hill as a lookout for game, to scan for approaching allies and enemies, and as a reference point when traversing the landscape. These groups also blazed several paths near the hill that were later incorporated into El Camino Real de los Tejas. [3]
The arrival of Spaniards and the establishment of San Antonio marked the beginning of the displacement of the Coahuiltecans. As disease and warfare decimated their populations, some fled to nearby Spanish missions. Others went south to other parts of New Spain, pushed off their lands or taken captive and forced to labor in Spanish silver mines. Having acquired horses from the Spaniards, the Lipan Apache expanded their territory to the south. The Apache held complete control of the area around Comanche Lookout in the mid-1600s. Arriving in the mid-1700s, invading Comanche had pushed the Apache even further south by the early 1800s. [4] It is possible that both groups used Comanche Hill as a camp site and observation post during expeditions to trade with or make war against the Spanish settlers.
As San Antonio grew and Spanish settlements spread throughout Texas, the trails near Comanche Hill were incorporated into El Camino Real, linking San Antonio with other settlements in Texas and connecting it to French Louisiana. During the Texas Revolution, it is possible that soldiers from both the Mexican and the Texan armies used Comanche Hill as a vantage point.
Text: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov.
Sunrise & sunset directions
At Comanche Lookout the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 62° (ENE) at the June solstice and 117° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 298° (WNW) in June to 243° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 84° in summer but only 37° in winter.
| Date | Sunrise | Azimuth | Sunset | Azimuth | Noon sun | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox (Mar 20) | 7:38 AM | 90° E | 7:45 PM | 271° W | 60° | 12h 07m |
| June solstice (Jun 21) | 6:35 AM | 62° ENE | 8:37 PM | 298° WNW | 84° | 14h 03m |
| September equinox (Sep 22) | 7:23 AM | 89° E | 7:31 PM | 271° W | 61° | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (Dec 21) | 7:25 AM | 117° ESE | 5:40 PM | 243° WSW | 37° | 10h 15m |
Azimuth is measured clockwise from true north (90° = east, 270° = west). Computed for 2026; values change by less than a degree from year to year.
Golden hour & blue hour by month
Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.
| Month (15th) | Blue hour starts | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Blue hour ends | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:04 AM | 7:30 AM | 8:05 AM | 5:22 PM | 5:57 PM | 6:23 PM | 10h 27m |
| February | 6:49 AM | 7:14 AM | 7:47 AM | 5:51 PM | 6:23 PM | 6:48 PM | 11h 09m |
| March | 7:20 AM | 7:44 AM | 8:16 AM | 7:11 PM | 7:42 PM | 8:06 PM | 11h 58m |
| April | 6:43 AM | 7:08 AM | 7:40 AM | 7:29 PM | 8:01 PM | 8:25 PM | 12h 53m |
| May | 6:16 AM | 6:42 AM | 7:15 AM | 7:46 PM | 8:20 PM | 8:46 PM | 13h 38m |
| June | 6:07 AM | 6:34 AM | 7:09 AM | 8:01 PM | 8:36 PM | 9:03 PM | 14h 02m |
| July | 6:17 AM | 6:44 AM | 7:18 AM | 8:02 PM | 8:36 PM | 9:03 PM | 13h 52m |
| August | 6:37 AM | 7:02 AM | 7:35 AM | 7:43 PM | 8:15 PM | 8:40 PM | 13h 13m |
| September | 6:55 AM | 7:19 AM | 7:50 AM | 7:09 PM | 7:40 PM | 8:04 PM | 12h 21m |
| October | 7:12 AM | 7:36 AM | 8:08 AM | 6:32 PM | 7:04 PM | 7:28 PM | 11h 29m |
| November | 6:34 AM | 6:59 AM | 7:33 AM | 5:05 PM | 5:39 PM | 6:04 PM | 10h 41m |
| December | 6:56 AM | 7:22 AM | 7:58 AM | 5:01 PM | 5:37 PM | 6:03 PM | 10h 16m |
Local time (America/Chicago), including daylight saving time. Golden hour runs from about −4° to +6° solar altitude, so the morning golden hour begins during blue hour, before sunrise.
Milky Way & night sky
From Comanche Lookout, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 32° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 6 (bright suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Below 10° in darkness | — | 2° | — |
| February | 4:53 AM – 5:43 AM | 0.8 | 19° | SE → SE |
| March | 4:01 AM – 6:21 AM | 2.3 | 28° | SE → SSE |
| April | 2:03 AM – 5:43 AM | 3.7 | 32° | SE → S |
| May | 11:59 PM – 5:09 AM | 5.2 | 32° | SE → SSW |
| June | 10:11 PM – 4:51 AM | 6.7 | 32° | SE → SW |
| July | 10:08 PM – 3:28 AM | 5.3 | 32° | SSE → SW |
| August | 9:40 PM – 1:30 AM | 3.8 | 32° | S → SW |
| September | 9:00 PM – 11:20 PM | 2.3 | 29° | SSW → SW |
| October | 8:23 PM – 9:23 PM | 1.0 | 20° | SW → SW |
| November | Below 10° in darkness | — | 5° | — |
| December | Below 10° in darkness | — | -18° | — |
Window when the galactic core is at least 10° high during astronomical darkness on the 15th of each month. Pick nights within a few days of the new moon. Plan exact nights with the Milky Way planner.
Estimated sky darkness: 6 Bortle 6 — Bright suburban sky. The Milky Way is only visible near the zenith; the sky glows grey-orange in photos. Modeled zenith brightness ≈ 19.08 mag/arcsec².
Weather & best season
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show August as the clearest month (about 41% average cloud cover) and March as the cloudiest (61%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 84 | 95 | 95 | 103 | 105 | 109 | 110 | 112 | 108 | 99 | 90 | 84 |
| Low °F | 20 | 18 | 22 | 34 | 43 | 61 | 64 | 65 | 51 | 34 | 25 | 23 |
| Precip. (in) | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
Monthly climatology for the surrounding 1° grid cell from NASA POWER (MERRA-2). Mountain sites can be colder and cloudier than the cell average.
Photography tips for this scenic viewpoint
- A panorama of 3–5 vertical frames gives more resolution and a wider view without a fisheye look.
- Blue hour after sunset is excellent for towns or roads below the viewpoint as lights come on.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find a composition before the light peaks.
- Use a telephoto (70–200 mm) to isolate layered ridges and light rays instead of shooting only wide.
- Check the sun azimuth for your date: front-light, side-light and back-light give three different pictures from the same rail.
- Bring a spare battery — cold weather and long exposures drain them fast.
Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.
Suggested gear: Tripod, Telephoto lens, Graduated ND filter, Headlamp. Work out exposures with the depth of field, ND filter and NPF rule calculators.
Permits, drones & access
National Park Service rules. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones: Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Nearby photo spots
Other locations within 25 km of Comanche Lookout, closest first.
Cave
Cave
Cave
Botanical Garden
State ParkFAQ
When is the best time to photograph Comanche Lookout?
What time is golden hour at Comanche Lookout?
Where does the sun rise and set at Comanche Lookout?
Can you see the Milky Way from Comanche Lookout?
Do you need a permit to photograph at Comanche Lookout?
How far is Comanche Lookout from Live Oak?
Sources
Location data: National Park Service. Sun, moon and Milky Way times are computed by LWPhoto Atlas for 2026. Climate: NASA POWER. Sky darkness is a population-based estimate (Walker's law), not a measurement. See data sources & licenses.