Texas is the second-biggest state in the United States which means that if you are looking for places to explore, you should be able to find everything you are looking for in this expansive state.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico with a wide variety of geographic features, Texas has all kinds of terrain to travel.
Located just outside of San Antonio, the area surrounding Uvalde, Texas has many exciting parks to entice any adventurer.
Map of State Parks Near Uvalde TX
Here is a map of the Texas state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Uvalde
Outlined below are five state parks near Grand Rapids. All of them can be reached within an hour and 40 minutes of driving from the city. They also offer plenty of camping and other overnight accommodation options too.
1. Garner State Park
Distance from Uvalde: about 20 miles north of Uvalde (straight-line).
Location: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838
Located just thirty-one miles north of Uvalde, Garner State Park is fun for the entire family.
Voted as one of the best state parks in Texas by Trekaroo.com, this park offers a wide variety of fun summer activities for the mind, body, and spirit. Situated on the cool, clear waters of the Frio River, draws visitors to the area to swim, paddleboat, or tube the days away on the river.
The park is in the middle of Hill Country, so the 1,774-acre park is a hiker’s dream. Climb up to the top of Old Baldy to enjoy the spectacular views of the river basin and then cool off in the river for an evening swim.
Rent a paddleboat, kayak, canoe, or inner tube and lazily float down the river. During the busy season, the park offers a tube shuttle to make treks up the river easier for guests. Families will also enjoy the putt-putt golf course if the kids are getting waterlogged.
The park has some unique activities that draw repeat visitors to the area. One such feature is the dancing. Summer evening jukebox dances are popular with young and old alike.
The concession stand and dance pavilion are popular gathering places and can get busy pretty quickly. The concession stand and pavilion were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and guests can learn about the history of the Corps, the area, and nature from a ranger at the park. Educational programs are offered on geocaching and geology for kids.
There is a campground for overnight guests with campsites, screened shelters, and cabins for rent
See our full Garner State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Lost Maples State Natural Area
Distance from Uvalde: about 37 miles north of Uvalde (straight-line).
Location: 37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885
Lost Maples State Natural Area is a 2,906-acre (1,176 ha) area of hills and canyons on the upper Sabinal River in Bandera and Real Counties, Texas, United States.
Highlights associated with Lost Maples State Natural Area include lake recreation, river access, and seasonal wildflowers.
See our full Lost Maples State Natural Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Hill Country State Natural Area
Distance from Uvalde: about 42 miles northeast of Uvalde (straight-line).
Location: 10600 Bandera Creek Rd., Bandera, TX 78003
Hill Country State Natural Area (HCSNA) preserves 5,369 acres (21.73 km2) of rugged, relatively pristine Hill Country terrain in Bandera County, Texas, United States.
Highlights associated with Hill Country State Natural Area include lake recreation, river access, and mountain scenery.
See our full Hill Country State Natural Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Kickapoo Cavern State Park
Distance from Uvalde: about 46 miles northwest of Uvalde (straight-line).
Location: Brackettville, TX 78832
Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a 6,368 acres (2,577 ha) state park straddling the Kinney and Edwards county line in Texas, United States located 22 miles north of Brackettville that is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
See our full Kickapoo Cavern State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Government Canyon State Natural Area
Distance from Uvalde: about 64 miles east of Uvalde (straight-line).
Location: 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254
If you are heading in the direction of San Antonio, Government Canyon State Natural Area is a great place to stop to get away from the city for a while.
The 12,000-acre wilderness that lies just north of San Antonio protects the city’s drinking water.
The expansive natural area is open to visitors Friday through Monday and offers over 40 miles of trails for hiking, geocaching, and biking.
Government Canyon is a great place for kids to explore as well. Guided hikes and nature programs are offered to teach kids about the natural wonder around them.
Take your young ones on the Discovery Trail to observe birds and other wildlife, or you can relax with a cool drink and a picnic lunch while your kids tire themselves out on the playscape.
A highlight of the hiking trails for both kids and adults is the walk past 110-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, the only known tracks in Bexar County.
Campgrounds are open on Friday and Saturday nights only, and can be reserved ahead of time. There are twenty-three walk-in tent sites and two walk-in group sites.
To make the experience even easier, Texas Park Outfitters provides camping equipment for rent and even includes setup. To extend your visit even further, stop by the park store for books, nature items and souvenirs or even take a virtual tour with the Interactive Trails Map.
This is a great stop on your travels and offers a unique natural experience for the whole family.
See our full Government Canyon State Natural Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
