Garner State Park near San Antonio

Garner State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Texas for overnight camping. The 1774-acre park is located on the banks of the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country, just over 1.5 hours west of San Antonio. The local community has been welcoming campers to the area near the river since the 1920s. The state park offers plenty of options for overnight stays, including camping sites for RVs and tents, as well as comfortable cabins.

It’s also a popular place for swimming and hiking, with the river offering plenty of fun and activities in the warm summer months. The stunning scenery includes dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful old bald cypress trees which are especially picturesque in the fall. From hiking and kayaking to camping, Garner State Park provides the whole family with an escape into nature in central Texas.

Garner State Park near San Antonio - one of the highlights of 10 Best Road Trips near San Antonio (Read all about San Antonio here)

What are the highlights of Garner State Park?

Garner State Park is most well-known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. There is around 16 miles of hiking trails, as well as 2.9 miles of the Frio River winding through the park for swimming or kayaking. The park is especially popular in summer, with people coming to float down the river in inner tubes, rent paddleboats, go kayaking and swimming in the crystal-clear water.

The park has a few amenities for visitors. You can find the Garner Grill open for meals during the summer months and a gift shop selling a range of souvenirs. A variety of local events takes place at the state park. Summer dance parties are held in the old concession building – these events have been going since the first campers in the 1940s. There are also annual Texas Outdoor Family camping events held in May.

A brief history of Garner State Park

The idea of camping in the area emerged in the early 20^th century as people began to buy cars. A local German family, the Magers, decided to open part of their property up for camping in the 1920s and the beautiful spot by the river quickly became popular. The land that is now Garner State Park was acquired by locals. The Texas State Parks Board enlisted the Civilian Conservation Corps to build the park’s original foundations.

After a large pavilion and concessions building was built, it was officially opened in 1941 as Garner State Park. The park was named after John Nance Garner, the former Vice President of the United States who lived in the Concan area. Since then, young local residents began gathering at the park on summer evenings for jukebox dance parties. This tradition has continued today and is still common during the summer months which attracts a crowd of people.

Good to know about Garner State Park

As with many state parks in Texas, there is an entrance fee to explore Garner State Park. Camping fees are charged separately, which you must pay and book in advance. It’s ideal to purchase both day use or overnight camping permits online, as the park can reach full capacity quickly, especially in summer and on weekends. The rangers close the gates to visitors once the park has reached full capacity.

There are campsites available in the park suitable for RVs and tents, with facilities including power, water, hot showers, toilets, picnic tables, and outdoor grills. Otherwise, there are cabins with fireplaces available for those looking for a more comfortable stay with fully self-sufficient amenities. You can also rent paddleboats, kayaks, and floating tubes at the park store, as well as tables, heaters, and barbeque pits if you're staying overnight.

Dirección: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA

Horario: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm

Teléfono: +1 830-232-6132

Elisha Donkin | Colaborador/a habitual

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