Bexar County offers a range of ways to plan a trip: parks with open landscapes, nature trails and historic sites. The Bexar County Parks Division manages and operates 11 parks and 3 community centers, with a total of more than 480 acres of recreational space in the county. The park facilities are open to the public; some areas can also be reserved for private use. So when planning a park visit, keep both your preferred location and the intended type of use in mind. This will help you tailor your choice to walks and scenery, nature trails or history.
Choose nature: open fields or hiking trails
Bullis County Park is in the northernmost part of Bexar County. There you’ll find open fields, opportunities for walking and seasonal wildflowers. If the wildflowers are what draw you to the park, factor their season into your plans. Along with this seasonal feature, open fields and walking opportunities shape the visit. Another park, Comanche Park, is located along the Salado Creek Greenway.
At Government Canyon State Natural Area, you can choose between two nature experiences based on trail length and focus. The Discover Trail is 1.23 miles long, accessible and educational, and suitable for the whole family. A five-mile hike leads to the only known dinosaur tracks on public land in Bexar County. The comparison offers two specific points to consider: the Discover Trail focuses on its educational character and suitability for the whole family, while the longer hike has the dinosaur tracks as its destination. This can help you decide whether you prefer a nature trail or a longer hike with a clearly defined destination.
Mission history and other cultural sites
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes four mission sites: Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Together with The Alamo, these four mission sites form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage designation thus links the four missions with The Alamo, while the national historical park encompasses the mission sites.
Other places also offer their own historical and cultural connections. Walker Ranch was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1975. At San Pedro Creek Culture Park, public art honors the history of San Pedro Creek and its significance to the region. The choices therefore range from a World Heritage Site and a register listing to an artistic tribute to regional history.
Hot Wells adds a timeline to these stories: Bexar County acquired the ruins and surrounding land in 2015 for preservation and public use. The park on the historic site opened to the public on April 30, 2019. The two dates distinguish the acquisition of the site from the park’s later opening.
Plan for local products
The Bexar County Parks & Recreation Farmers Market program offers fresh local foods and handcrafted products. This adds another focus to your trip alongside parks and cultural sites. If visiting a market matches your interests, check the current Farmers Market schedule before your visit. That way, you can include this offering in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Helotes, Leon Valley, Callahan County, Grayson, Bandera, Shelby County, Montgomery, Real County.
Return to the main travel overview: Texas.
