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
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
2. Devil’s Sinkhole Natural Area
Location: Rocksprings, TX 78880
Are you a fan of interesting natural features and wildlife? If so, you definitely need to add Devil’s Sinkhole Natural Area to your list of must-visit places in Texas.
Located sixty-eight miles North of Uvalde in the town of Rockspring, Devil’s Sinkhole is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Access to the sinkhole is only through guided tours, and reservations are required.
Visitors can take a walking tour or a birding tour through the area, but the real highlight of the park is the bats. One of Texas’ largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats comes to roost in the 50-foot wide, 140-deep cavern.
To protect their habitat, tours are not offered of the cavern, but during bat season, visitors can take bat tours to catch a glimpse of these nocturnal creatures. The bats migrate South to Mexico during the winter months.
There are no camping facilities in this natural area, but visitors to the area can find accommodations in Rockspring or nearby Kickapoo State Park.
3. Government Canyon State Natural Area
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.
4. Choke Canyon State Park
Location: 700 TX-72, Three Rivers, TX 78071
A lengthy 117 miles Southeast of Uvalde, Choke Canyon State Park is a little out of the way, but if you are on your way to Corpus Christi and headed for the Gulf of Mexico, this would definitely be a great spot to stop along the way.
The park has two sections. Calliham is a full campground for overnight visitors who wish to stay a night or two and take advantage of all the outdoor sites and activities. Campers can enjoy fishing, swimming, and hiking in the park during their stay.
There are group sites available for rent along with a youth camp, which offers picnic pavilions, basketball courts, tennis courts, a soccer field, group halls, and a gymnasium.
The South Shore section of the park is for day use only, and visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and birding. Both sections have boat ramps, and Calliham has a rock jetty and fish cleaning shelters.
There are many ranger programs available for kids at the park. Visiting youth or school groups can take advantage of these programs to give them an educational experience in addition to the recreational activities offered at the park.
Whether you are visiting for an afternoon or several days, this serene park is sure to be a highlight of your travels.
5. Seminole Canyon State Park and Historical Site
Location: US-90, Comstock, TX 78837
Just 101 miles Northwest of Uvalde, Seminole Canyon has a unique historical feature that draws history buffs as well as outdoor enthusiasts to the area.
The walls of Seminole Canyon are covered with ancient rock art left by early dwellers of the canyon. The pictographs delight and intrigue visitors who travel to see the artwork and stay to hike and explore the park.
Information about the park can be found in the visitor’s center, and guests can also take a guided tour. There are over ten miles of trails in the park.
Visitors can hike down to the Rio Grande or along the Canyon Rim. Canyon trails are not accessible without a guide, but visitors are welcome to access the other trails on their own to geocache or observe nature.
After a day in the sun hiking the park, cool off with a drink from the park store or find a souvenir, gift, or book to take home with you.
The park offers 46 campsites that range from drive in, primitive tent sites to more modern sites with water and electricity. If you are an outdoor hiker who likes to be immersed in history and nature, then this is the park for you.
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