National park · United States
Garner State Park
Go on a weekday in May or September: enter before 9:00, walk Old Baldy for the Frio River view, then tube or swim the river; skip summer weekends and holiday Saturdays, when the park fills and day passes sell out.Go on a weekday in May or September: enter before 9:00 AM, walk Old Baldy for the Frio River view, then tube or swim the river; skip summer weekends and holiday Saturdays, when the park fills and day passes sell out.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²)
approximate
Established
1941
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²)
- About 1,700 acres (690 ha) of river valley and hills; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1941
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Antonio
Garner State Park sits where the Frio River cuts through the Hill Country west of San Antonio: cypress-lined water, limestone hills and about 1,700 acres of oak and juniper. It is a swimming and tubing park first — the river is the reason people come — with short trails, a 1940s pavilion dance tradition and campsites along the water. It is also one of the most heavily used parks in Texas, so the day you pick matters more than what you do.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1941.
Size and age
7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²) · national park since 1941
About 1,700 acres (690 ha) of river valley and hills; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Antonio.
Why go
- The Frio River is clear, cool and shallow enough to wade, tube or swim in one afternoon.
- Old Baldy is a short, steep climb to the best view in the park, doable in an hour.
- Summer evenings bring the pavilion jukebox dance, a park tradition since the 1940s.
- Camping under cypress trees with the river a minute from your tent.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold, quiet; limited services
- FebCold; some facilities closed
- MarMild; tubing season starts mid-month
- AprWarm days, wildflowers, manageable crowds
- MayWarm river, busy weekends, book early
- JunHot; day passes sell out at weekends
- JulHottest month; arrive at opening
- AugHot and crowded; river at its lowest
- SepWarm water, thinner crowds after Labor Day
- OctCool, clear; swimming is bracing
- NovQuiet; good walking weather
- DecCool and empty; check holiday hours
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer and axis deerAll year · Common around campgrounds at dawn and dusk; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden-cheeked warblerMar–Jun · A Hill Country breeder in juniper-oak woodland; listen in spring. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Eastern bluebird and Rio Grande turkeySep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Raccoons, skunks and armadillosAll year · Mostly after dark; keep food sealed and stored. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Antonio
Drive US-90 west then US-83 north through Uvalde to FM 1050; the park entrance is off FM 1050.
2–2.5 h
From Austin
Drive via US-281 and US-90 through Kerrville and Uvalde.
3.5–4 h
From Uvalde
US-83 north about 31 miles, then FM 1050 to the gate.
40–50 min
From Region plan
Where Garner fits with the rest of the Hill Country River Region.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Frio River corridor | The swimming, tubing and dam area through the middle of the park. | Open with entry fee; river access first-come. |
| Pecan Grove and south camping | Main campground, store and the trailhead for Old Baldy. | Campers and day visitors. |
| Pavilion area | Garner Pavilion, grill, putt-putt and the evening dance in summer. | Open; events in season. |
| Upland hills and trails | Limestone ridges above the river, including the Old Baldy climb. | Open on foot; stay on marked trails. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance (FM 1050) · Gate≈29.588, -99.742Map ↗
- 2Park headquarters and store · Headquarters≈29.584, -99.740Map ↗
- 3Pecan Grove camping area · Sleep≈29.580, -99.738Map ↗
- 4Old Baldy · Summit≈29.586, -99.733Map ↗
- 5Garner Pavilion · Town≈29.583, -99.737Map ↗
- 6Frio River dam and swimming area · Beach≈29.582, -99.736Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions within the park from the entrance to Old Baldy, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use entrance | US$8 | person 13 and over | 2026 estimate; under 13 free. Texas residents 65+ and disabled veterans pay reduced or no entry — confirm current rates. |
| Camping, per night | US$20–30 | site | 2026 estimate for a water-and-electric site; plus the day-use fee per adult. |
| Screened shelter or cabin | US$60–150 | night | 2026 estimate; limited number, reserve months ahead. |
| Tube rental | US$6–10 | day | 2026 estimate; deposit usually required, shuttle upstream extra. |
| Kayak or paddle boat rental | US$6–20 | hour | 2026 estimate; seasonal, roughly mid-March to Labor Day. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Special events and pavilion use no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$8
- US$20–30
- US$60–150
- US$6–10
- US$6–20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Texas Parks & Wildlife — park fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Day passes
- On busy weekends and holidays the park can reach capacity and stop selling entry; reserve a day pass online or arrive at opening.
- Glass and alcohol on the river
- Glass containers are not allowed in the river or on the banks; alcohol rules are enforced in the day-use areas (check current park rules).check
- Pets
- Allowed in campsites and on roads on a leash, but not on trails, in the river or in buildings.
- Fires and firewood
- Fires only in provided rings; do not bring outside firewood — use local bundles to avoid moving pests.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed deer or other animals; store food in vehicles or lockers.
Where to stay
In the park
Pecan Grove camping area
The main campground in the south of the park, close to the store and the Old Baldy trailhead.
In the park
Riverfront campsites and screened shelters
Water-and-electric sites and a limited number of shelters and cabins; reserve months ahead.
Near the park
Uvalde
The nearest full-service town, about 31 miles south, with motels and restaurants.
Near the park
Leakey and Concan area
Small-town lodges, cabins and river camps along the Frio; book early in summer.
Safety
River currents and flash floods medium
Heat on exposed trails medium
Crowds and traffic on summer weekends medium
Sunburn and dehydration low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The store, pavilion and some campground loops are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Old Baldy and the riverbank paths are steep, rocky or sandy; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Ask at headquarters about accessible campsites and the easiest river access points.
Visiting lightly
- Do not bring outside firewood; buy local bundles to slow the spread of tree pests.
- Pack out everything, including tube trash and food scraps — the river is the park's water supply for swimming.
- Stay on marked trails on the hills; shortcut paths cause erosion on the limestone.
- In dry summers, respect any burn bans and water-use limits.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Garner State Park?
Day-use entry is about US$8 per person aged 13 and over, with children under 13 free (2026 estimate). Camping costs extra, roughly US$20–30 per site per night plus the per-person entry fee. Texas residents aged 65 and over and disabled veterans pay reduced or no entry — confirm current rates when you book.
What are the best hikes in Garner State Park?
Old Baldy is the one to do: a steep, rocky climb of about an hour from the Pecan Grove area to a limestone top with the best view of the Frio valley. The paved paths through the park are easy walking or biking. There is no long backcountry route here — this is a river park, not a hiking park.
When is the best time to visit Garner State Park?
April, May and September. Water is warm enough to swim, the weather is not yet at its hottest, and crowds are thinner than in July and August. Weekdays beat weekends in every month. Summer weekends and holiday Saturdays are the busiest and can hit capacity.
Do I need a reservation to get in?
Not always, but on summer weekends and holidays you should reserve a day pass online in advance — the park can stop selling entry once it fills. Camping always needs a reservation, and sites open up to five months ahead.
Can you swim and tube in the Frio River at Garner?
Yes. Swimming is best near the dam, and tube rentals with an upstream shuttle run from roughly mid-March to Labor Day. Late in a dry summer the river can drop too low to float; check conditions before you plan your day around it.
Are there cabins at Garner State Park?
A limited number of cabins and screened shelters are available, along with campsites. They book out months ahead in season, so reserve as early as the system allows.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go