Nature Trails with Clear Destinations
A five-mile hike in Government Canyon State Natural Area leads to the only known dinosaur tracks on public land in Bexar County. This gives the route an unusually specific destination for a nature hike. The area lies on the edge of the Balcones Escarpment. A shorter option within the natural area is the 1.23-mile Discover Trail, which is accessible and educational. The trails differ both in length and in focus: the longer one leads to the dinosaur tracks, while the shorter one has an educational emphasis. You can choose a trail based on two specific questions: Would you like to take the longer route to the tracks, or are you more interested in the shorter Discover Trail?
Mission History and Trails
The Alamo was founded in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero; in 2015, it became part of the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is this sole World Heritage Site. The Alamo’s daily free offerings include admission to the historic Alamo Church and Long Barrack, school visits, a living history camp with demonstrations, an educational film, and special exhibits. Check the current schedule before your visit.
At Mission San José, ranger-led programs are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Check the schedule before your visit. The Hike & Bike Trail offers another way to get oriented: it connects all four missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park with downtown San Antonio. This gives you different ways to explore: scheduled programs at Mission San José and a trail connection between the missions and downtown.
Museum, Garden, and Water
The Witte Museum offers experiences focused on nature, science, and culture. The B. Naylor Morton Research and Collections Center offers glimpses of objects that are not displayed in the Witte Museum’s galleries. If you’re interested in what you can discover beyond the gallery exhibits, the Center offers its own way to access these objects. Check the ticket requirements in effect before your visit.
At the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Kumamoto En is a unique, peaceful garden. The same garden’s Family Adventure Garden offers a different focus: areas where children can run, play, and explore. The two places appeal to different interests—peaceful garden surroundings on one hand, and movement and exploration for children on the other.
On the water, the Mission Reach Paddling Trail runs downstream from Roosevelt Park to the Camino Coahuilteca take-out point near Mission Espada. The route is eight miles long. Its direction of travel, endpoints, and length provide a clear guide to this paddling section and distinguish it from the Government Canyon trails, which are described by their length and destination.
Discover more destinations: San Antonio, Universal City, Von Ormy, Live Oak, Elmendorf, Jim Wells, Jack County, Austin County.
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