The 20 Best Hiking Trails in San Antonio
Whether you are an experienced hiker looking for new, more advanced areas to visit or you are a brand new hiker that is in search of an easier path to get you started, the San Antonio area of Texas offers an array of different hiking areas for you to explore.
According to the City of San Antonio officials, there are more than 140 miles of hiking trails in and around this popular Texas City. When it comes to Hiking Trails San Antonio, we have created a detailed list of 20 different hiking trails in the San Antonio area for you to visit sometime soon.
Read on for information on a variety of 20 different hiking trails that offer different levels of difficulty and beautiful scenery that people of all ages can and do enjoy in the San Antonio area.
1. Friedrich Wilderness Park
Located in the northern area of San Antonio, the Friedrich Wilderness Park is considered to be a moderate to a very vigorous path. This 230-acre hiking trail is touted as the City of San Antonio Natural Area and is nestled near I-10 and offers several trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. This means it is a great option for the whole family or a group of friends with different levels of hiking experience.
From the one-mile Vista Loop that is moderately difficult to trek through to the very difficult and shorter 0.1-mile Fern Dell and the 0.2-mile Juniper Ridge, this area offers beautiful juniper as well as plenty of woodlands and grasslands broken up by intermittent creeks and even very rocky canons. A trailhead kiosk is located on this trail that offers plenty of info, such as maps and points of interest. There are also low wooden markers throughout the area to help you identify different types of plants.
2. Crownridge Canyon Natural Area
The Crownridge Canyon Natural Area also features a fun loop, this one is called the Red Oak Trail loop that happens to lead to a bridge that crosses the Red Oak Canyon. This easy-to-vigorous trail is 1.3 miles long and features an ADA (American with Disability) accessible surface so people with difficulties in walking as well as other issues can still enjoy a gorgeous and revitalizing hike. The 0.6-mile Bear Grass Trail loops off the far-end area of this trail and provides a very natural surface area along with a few rocky ledges and steep slopes.
This entire 200-acre natural area is located in the northwestern region of San Antonio and boasts a canopy-style bridge overlook as well as vistas on hillsides, and even restored grassland areas.
You will even have many opportunities to spot the endangered golden-cheeked warbler if you hike at this spot during the spring and summer months when nesting is occurring. You can check out the interpretive panels that have been placed in the trailhead pavilion, so you can learn more about the natural history of the area.
3. Eisenhower Park
Located in the northern area of San Antonio, this easy-to-vigorous trail is considered to be pretty rugged and even offers an urban park. This hilly route will give you a wilderness feel as you wind in and out of Cedars and climb up to the cedar flats trail that is peppered with green, lush grasses and other vegetation. You can even continue climbing upward to an observation tower which offers you not only beautiful views of the wooded area but the city of San Antonio as well before you head back down to the parking lot area.
4. Government Canyon State Natural Area
If you are looking for 40 miles of trails that feature rugged canyon areas and range from 2.6 miles to almost 12 miles in length and are easy to vigorous to hike on, you have found your spot at the Government Canyon State Natural Area. This amazing and beautiful area on the Balcones Escarpment with plenty of deep canyons that are distinctly defined along the eastern border of the Edwards Plateau and ridges.
This area offers amazing and very scenic views for you and your family or friends to enjoy. You also will want to check out the remnants that are left of former ranch operations, creeks, and even dinosaur tracks. You will be able to see plenty of wildlife, including quail, deer, and warblers, throughout this beautiful area. There is a fee of $6 per adult and all children under the age of 12 are admitted for free. This area is located in the northwestern part of San Antonio.
5. Medina River Natural Area
This 511-acre park offers easy-to-moderate hiking paths on both sides of the Medina River. Hence its name of the Medina River Natural Area. You can start out on the El Camino Trail. Then pass by the picnic pavilion to head to the Rio Medina Trail. This trail is parallel to the river and beautiful tall trees.
This trail intersects with the Olmos Trail, which features a very common southern Texas landscape that includes Mesquite, yucca, and cactus. More than likely, you will see an array of different birds, such as owls and Cardinals, along with gorgeous butterflies and dragonflies, depending on which season and which you visit this beautiful area that is in the southern part of San Antonio.
6. McAllister Park
This 976-acre park offers several trail options that are considered to be easy to vigorous. This park offers over 10 miles of hiking trails that are also popular with mountain bikers is located north of San Antonio and boasts the outer Blue Loop. It is a mix of natural surfaces and asphalt and runs about 6.8 miles long. It features a 1.7-mile Red Trail that runs along the middle of the loop.
Hikers can go to McAllister Park to gain access to San Antonio’s Salado Creek Greenway North. This area features a 3,400-foot boardwalk along a Salado Creek wetland area.
7. Mission Reach
Located in the central area of San Antonio, Mission Reach is part of the River Walk which covers a whopping 15 miles of scenery. This includes a walk through the historic area of downtown San Antonio. Mission Reach is eight miles of the 15 miles of the River Walk and travels south, past four interesting sites that you can visit along your hiking trail.
These sites are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and include Concepción, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada. It is a paved trail that moves along the San Antonio River, and it is open all year long.
8. O.P. Schnabel Park
If you are looking for an easy to vigorous hiking trail, you can head to the Northwest area of San Antonio. There you can hop on the trail at the 202-acre O.P. Schnabel Park. This gorgeous trail includes hillsides, wooded areas, and even a rocky creek bed. You may spot rabbits, deer, and other wildlife along this fun trail. If you are a more adventurous hiker, you can embark on the Big O.P. Loop with the Bluff and Tower Loops for a longer hike.
9. Pearsall Park
For an easy hiking path that is great for your entire family, you can head to Pearsall Park near the Lackland Air Force Base, southwest of San Antonio. It is a shorter tail that features a trailhead at the Leon Creek South Greenway. You can take off on a 1.5-mile hike-and-bike trail.
10. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Are you are craving a hike along with rugged Texas landscapes that feature plenty of beautiful plants as well as oak and juniper trees? Then you will enjoy the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. It is an easy to vigorous trail that is located near San Antonio in the northwest area. According to the San Antonio Culture Map, it is considered to be Hill Country and offers seven miles of trails for your hiking pleasure.
11. Barton Creek Greenbelt
The seven miles of easy to vigorous trails at the Barton Creek Greenbelt offers several different entry points and even unofficial trails for plenty of hiking fun for all ages. For beginners, the best starting place is at Loop 360 or the entry point at Zilker Park.
12. Enchanted Rock State Park
The Enchanted Rock at this state park is basically a pink granite dome that rises about 425 feet above the ground. It covers about 640 acres of beautiful land. This monolith hiking trail is a more vigorous and difficult one than most on our list.
13. Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park is known for its many popular river trails. It even offers more primate trails in the Bauer Unit area. Hikers can choose to move along the Bamberger Trail and head to the Curry Creek Overlook trail. This park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will need to make reservations ahead of time to hike on the trails.
14. Lost Maples State Natural Area
The Lost Maples State Natural Area is one of the most popular in Texas. It is located northwest of San Antonio and offers stunning views along with varying levels of difficulty when it comes to hiking. This gorgeous area offers more than 10 miles of trails for hikers. Including the Maple Trail, the East Trail, the East-West Trail, the West Trail, and the West Loop Trail.
There are many sites to see along the way, as evidenced by the Monkey Rock on the East Trail. You may need to book a reservation to head out on these trails that are open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
15. Garner State Park
Boasting 16 miles of very scenic trails, Garner State Park is for all ages and hiking skill levels. There is even a 2.9-mile trail that leads to the Frio river. It has plenty of space to set up camp for a night or two. For more experienced hikers, a 45-minute hike along the Old Baldy Trail will offer plenty of views of the beautiful Frio River as well as Hill County.
16. Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System
The Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System (Greenway) encompasses about 82 miles of accessible trails that provide fun for hikers of all ages. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. They wind through many of the most beautiful areas of San Antonio.
Some even make their way along several different waterways in the area. Leon Creek, Medina River, Salado Creek, and the Westside Creeks, which include Zarzamora, San Pedro, Martinez, Alazan. Apache, and the Tributary Creeks, such as Huesta Creek and Culebra Creek.
17. Bamberger Nature Park
Bamberger Park is located on Babcock Road in San Antonio. The two-and-a-half miles of scenic hiking trails also offer a biking path. The trails are paved with concrete in some areas and pugmill in other parts of the trail. The trails are open to the public from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days per week.
18. Headwaters at Incarnate Word Park
This 53-acre park offers several different trails that are made for the entire family and people of all ages to enjoy. There are not many inclines on this mostly dirt and gravel trail system. People enjoy the peace and serenity it brings. Along with scenic views of nature. It opens daily at 8 a.m. and welcomes the public.
19. Hill Country Park
If you want to hike, run, walk, or bike on beautiful trails that offer plenty of wildlife, gorgeous trees, and even waterway views, Hill Country Park is for you. It is touted as an urban jungle with pretty views and is very well-maintained. The Hill Country Trailhead is accessible to the Leon Creek Greenway. It opens every day at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 9:30 p.m.
20. Lady Bird Johnson Trail Head
The Lady Bird Johnson Trail Head actually offers two trails. One trail that is paved and another that is natural. It is touted as being very well maintained and not too overcrowded. This makes for a nice, peaceful hike. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 .m.
You can also read:
