Natural area visitors may enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including, picnicking, hiking, biking, trail running, geochaching, regularly scheduled guided hikes, and ranger programs. Highway 90, in val verde county, and is adjacent to amistad national recreation area. Hours friends of government canyon government canyon. Government canyon has history along 40 miles of trails. Government canyon state natural area offers more than 40 miles of trails. Government canyon state natural area campground open friday and saturday nights only. Government canyon state natural area in photos houston. My husband, a friend and i went to government canyon state natural area on sunday in january. Texas parks and wildlife department began purchasing the land in 1993. Contact the headquarters, visit the facebook page, or check the. Most of the land that today makes up government canyon state natural area was at one time owned by jacob hoffmann, who as a child came with his parents to texas from prussia in 1845. We are also looking for qualified hike leaders and enthusiastic members to join our fun and highlyimportant committees.
It rained about one inch three days before my arrival, so they closed the trails. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Government canyon state natural area, texas camping. History of government canyon state natural area gcsna the history of government canyon state natural area could go back hundreds of years to a time where indigenous people were living here. The state created the park with donated land to honor lyndon b. Government canyon state natural area discover a quiet wilderness surprisingly close to san antonio. The government canyon visitor center floats in a field of native grasses and oaks at the mouth of the canyon, forming a gateway to the 8,600acre government canyon state natural area. Government canyon has more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that range from remote rugged canyon lands to gently rolling grasslands.
Natural area visitors may enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including, picnicking, hiking, biking, trail running, geocaching, regularly scheduled guided hikes, and ranger programs. All of the trails were closed except for the discovery trail. Friends of government canyon a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of government canyon state natural area located near san antonio, tx. Government canyon state natural area entrance fees texas. It is a karst area that was planned for urban development but purchased by a partnership of three governmental agencies and two nonprofit organizations. Volunteer opportunities exist for those interested in working with and alongside staff field rangers, resource specialist, administrators and interpreters. The sites in the frontcountry campground can only be reserved for friday and saturday nights. Government canyon state natural area texas parks and. Facility offers viewing campsitesday use sites this facility offers the following options. Volunteer opportunities friends of government canyon. Partners included edwards aquifer authority, san antonio water system, the trust for public land, city of san antonio and bexar county. Government canyon state natural area history texas parks. Hiking government canyon state natural area to view the 110 million year old dinosaur tracks.
State natural areas preserve areas with outstanding natural attributes. Three dog waste stations are placed in the frontcountry and dog owners should bring along water for fido. Hiking government canyon state natural area youtube. First opened to the public in october, 2005, government canyon state natural area gcsna preserves 12,244 acres of rugged hills and canyons typical of the. The government canyon outdoor education amphitheater was partially funded by a 2018 high impact grant from impact san antonio to the friends of government canyon, a group of volunteers whose goal is to preserve, protect and improve the state natural area. First opened to the public in october, 2005, government canyon state natural area gcsna preserves 12,244 acres 49. Thank you for subscribing to the friends of government canyon newsletter. Government canyon state natural area interactive trails map.
Supports staffled programs, events and activities that occur on and offsite. Save on popular hotels near government canyon state natural area, san antonio. It is estimated that human habitation of the area began 10,000 years ago, during the holocene era when mammoth animals would have also inhabited. Government canyon state natural area 12861 galm rd san antonio tx 78254. Your kids will connect with natural fun at our playscape and discovery trail. Friends of government canyon is a nonprofit 501c3 organization and depends entirely on donations, grants and volunteer efforts to fulfill its purposes. A texas state park pass will allow you and your guests to enjoy unlimited visits for 1year to more than 90 state parks, without paying the daily entrance fee, in addition to other benefits. Government canyon state natural area, san antonio, united. Best camping in and near government canyon state natural area. Government canyon state natural area assist with research, development, and presentation of a variety of interpretive projects at gcsna.
Official guide to texas state parks and historic sites. Two visitors to government canyon state natural area climb down a ladder into a small cave. Notes if arriving after the gate closes at 10pm, customers with a reservation must contact the customer center at 2106889055, x0 during normal business hours 8am 5pm to receive the gate code for entry. You can also camp, attend a program or guided hike, geocache, picnic, take nature photos, and look for birds and other wildlife. Located in the edwards aquifer recharge zone, the building demonstrates sustainable water use practices by conserving water, collecting rainwater, minimizing runoff and contaminants, and reducing ground water use.
Since it was first published in 1996, official guide to texas state parks and historic sites has become texans onestop source for information on great places to camp, fish, hike, backpack, swim, ride horseback, go rock climbing, view scenic landscapes, tour historical sites, and enjoy almost any other outdoor recreation. Placessan antonio, texasgovernment canyon state natural area texas parks and wildlife. Dogs must be cleaned up after and on a leash no longer than six feet during their hike. New dinosaur footprints discovered at government canyon natural area duration.
Government canyon natural history association guidestar. Find hotels near government canyon state natural area, san. Government canyon state natural area protects 12,244 acres in northwest bexar county. Develops and leads interpretive programs, hikes and special events for government canyon state natural area, which allow the public to learn and experience more about the site. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. Check the events calendar on the government canyon state natural area website for specific dates. Nearly 40 miles of trails beckon you to explore the canyonlands and grasslands of government canyon state natural area. Please practice social distancing even when outdoors. For other general pet restrictions check the texas state.
Interactive map of government canyon state natural area trails. Seminole canyon state park and historic site wikipedia. Friends of government canyon government canyon natural area. Campground details government canyon state natural area. My husband, a friend and i went to government canyon state natural area on.
Government canyon state natural area texas parks and wildlife. Just 16 miles from downtown san antonio, government canyon state natural area sits on 8500 acres of pristine wilderness that were once slated for urban development. Campground details government canyon state natural area, tx. Pets are not allowed in any texas state park buildings. Camping near government canyon state natural area is easy with hipcamp. The park is popular with campers and local residents for its activities on the frio river and the dances held.
Freshly redesigned, this revised edition includes eight new state parks. State parkers exploring government canyon state natural area. Garner state park is a state park in the community of concan, texas located in uvalde county, texas in the united states. Government canyon state natural area has more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that range from remote rugged canyon lands to gently rolling grasslands. Need info on government canyon state natural area texas.
The frontcountry has two loops, savannah loop and lytles loop. Government canyon state natural area trails to tomorrow. In this episode of state parkers, melody and clint head to the san antonio area to explore more trails of the southwest. Government canyon state natural area the cultural landscape. It is designated a natural area, rather than a state park, and therefore the primary focus is maintenance. It often fills by noon in peak parts of the season. Local lore has many stories but few real facts about the. Book a campsite or a day use site book a day pass book an hourly site. Government canyon state natural area gcsna is located within the northwest limits of san antonio, texas, usa. Join us in our mission of protecting highly sensitive ecosystems by observing proper trail etiquette as you explore. Due to even more rain last night, the trails are still closed saturday, june 20th. Friends of government canyon a 501 c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of government canyon state natural area located near san antonio, tx.
Government canyon state natural area has more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that range from remote rugged canyon lands to gently rolling. These people are known collectively as the coahuiltecans kwaweeltaykans. Johnson state park and historic site is a state park located along the pedernales river in gillespie county, texas, united states west of johnson city and east of fredericksburg. Government canyon state natural area kids out and about san. Government canyon state natural area 12861 galm rd san.
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