Garner State Park lies along the picturesque Frio River in the Texas Hill Country, situated west of San Antonio. This beautiful area provides fun and relaxing activities for the entire family. You can float along the river on an inner tube, explore the waters by paddle boat, play miniature golf, and hike or bicycle on the scenic trails. Animal lovers can observe awe-inspiring fauna such as deer, raccoons, and numerous species of birds. Accordingly, nightly summer dances in the park pavilion offer an exciting opportunity to show off some moves. From spacious, comfortable cottages to houses tucked away in quiet neighborhoods, the lovely vacation rentals at Garner State Park are sure to make your next getaway unforgettable. Without further ado, here are some of the best spots in and around Garner State Park.
1. Concan
Vacation rentals in Concan sit along the Frio River just south of Garner State Park. Outfitters in the town routinely carry inner tube enthusiasts upriver and then pick them up later after they have drifted downstream. Golf enthusiasts can play a round amidst beautiful rolling hills at the local 18-hole course. Concan is also renowned as an excellent bird-watching location. If you time your visit right, you can enjoy the large annual music festival called the Rio Frio Fest.
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2. Leakey
Just north of Garner State Park on the Frio River, Leakey provides access to an abundance of recreational activities. Known as the “Swiss Alps of Texas,” the Leakey landscape includes deep canyons, whitewater rapids, and tranquil swimming holes. The adventurous can marvel at the fantastic views from a small aircraft or while hanging gliding or paragliding. You can also take a horseback ride and explore the countryside. Safer family-friendly activities include swimming, inner tubing, boating, and fishing.
3. Vanderpool
Set amidst rolling hills a few miles northeast of Garner State Park, oak trees, fields of flowers and an abundance of bird life surround Vanderpool. Nearby is Lost Maples State Natural Area, with its rugged canyon walls and forest of bigtooth maples and sycamores. Numerous trails allow you to explore this iconic park. For motorcycle enthusiasts, Vanderpool also hosts the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum.
4. Utopia
Utopia is a few miles east of Garner State Park, and its vacation rentals offer family-friendly activities in a small town ambiance. When you’re hot, you can head for the swimming hole on the Sabinal River at Utopia Community Park to have a picnic, use the rope swing, and try your hand at fishing. The Utopia Golf Course, made famous by the feature film “Seven Days in Utopia,” is a great place to play around. Strolling along the town’s traditional Main Street and perusing the antique, flower and souvenir shops is a pleasant and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. At the Hill Country Nature Center, the kids can check out the displays of local animals and insects.
5. Uvalde
Vacation rentals in Uvalde are an ideal jumping off points for exploring Garner State Park and the rest of the Texas Hill Country. Uvalde is known as the Honey Capital of the World for its unique light-flavored guajillo honey. The town hosts numerous fascinating museums such as the Aviation Museum of Texas, the Briscoe Art & Antique collection, and the Janey Slaughter-Briscoe Grand Opera House. Nearby Cook’s Slough Sanctuary and Nature Park provides some of the best bird watching in the region.
6. Camp Wood
Vacation rentals in the town of Camp Wood lie west of Garner State Park along the Nueces River. Popular activities include swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fly fishing on the river. You can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding woods and hills on the numerous hiking and cycling trails. To the west is Kickapoo Cavern State Park, where you can explore a number of caves and observe evening flights of bats.
7. Rocksprings
Rocksprings gets its name from natural springs of water that bubble up from the limestone in the area. The town hosts some interesting and unique museums, including the Texas Miniatures Museum, which is devoted to dollhouses and their furnishings, and the Mitchell Arrowhead Museum, which contains thousands of Native American artifacts. Nearby is Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area, the site of a deep vertical cavern hosting thousands of bats. Surrounding trails allow you to explore the area, and a viewing platform lets you look down into the awe-inspiring depths of the sinkhole.
8. Sabinal
The Sabinal River flows past vacation rentals in the town of Sabinal, which is southeast of Garner State Park. Popular activities include swimming, fishing, tubing and bird watching. The Sabinal Canyon Museum, which features pioneer farm implements, Native American artifacts, and minerals and fossils, helps you learn some history of the area.
9. Hondo
Vacation rentals in Hondo lie east of Sabinal and southeast of Garner State Park. Activities nearby include fishing, hunting and hiking the local trails. Hondo is famous for hosting annual events such as the Cowboy Country Roundup, the Hometown Holiday and the Wild Game Festival, which features a mouth-watering barbecue.
10. Bandera
Bandera, located northeast of Garner State Park, is known as the Cowboy Capital. Vacation rentals feature an ambiance of the old west, and you can see horses along the streets almost as often as cars and trucks. Unique activities include dude ranch visits, horseback trail rides, and chuckwagon meals. The whole family can check out the Frontier Times Museum to learn the history of cowboys and ranching. You can practice horseback riding on the trails at the nearby Hill Country State Natural Area.
11. San Antonio
Vacation rentals in San Antonio, one of the biggest cities in Texas, have access to many entertainment and recreational facilities, including the Alamo, Sea World, the River Walk and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Among its museums is the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Texas Transportation Museum, the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, and the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Other popular attractions include the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Brackenridge Park, which hosts the San Antonio Zoo.
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