Guide to Texas State Natural Areas and Parks near Bandera, Texas

Bandera City Park sits within the downtown area and offers plenty of activities. Visitors can go fishing, swimming or picnic in the park. There is also a playground as well as barbecue pits and pavilions to rent. The Medina River runs along the park to add to its scenic beauty. You can visit the park from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. Come see why Bandera City Park is one of the more popular things to do in the city.

Just northwest of Boerne, Texas sits the 365-acre Joshua Springs Park and Preserve. This space is home to eight miles of multi-use trails that allow for hiking and biking. Little Joshua Creek feeds into a nine-acre lake, offering plenty of chances to go kayaking or fishing for bass, catfish and crappie. The park opens each day at 7 a.m. and closes at 7 or 8:30 p.m. depending on the season. Spending time at Joshua Spring will introduce you to a wide array of wildlife.

Hill Country State Natural Area is home to over 5,000 acres of protected land. This former ranch features rugged canyons, plateaus and creek bottoms. Some activities you can do while visiting the natural area include backpacking, nature-watching, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trails range from easy to challenging and all differ in length. If you're looking for some fun things to do in Bandera, visit Hill Country State Natural Area for a good time.

Government Canyon State Natural Area sits on the outskirts of San Antonio but boasts 12,000 acres of protected wilderness. There are over 40 miles of trails that allow you to go hiking or mountain biking. Government Canyon is also home to dinosaur tracks that date back 110 million years. The natural area features three sectors: the frontcountry, backcountry and the protected habitat area. The backcountry is home to the most trails but each has plenty of trails to venture on when you visit. When you go hiking at this San Antonio park, keep your eyes peeled for some local wildlife.

Honey Creek State Natural Area sits next to Guadalupe River State Park. The protected area offers weekly two-mile nature walk tours of the area along with other activities. What you'll see is a 1.5-mile spring-fed creek that draws in a host of wildlife. There's also a fair amount of protected plants that are worth seeing. This is a great place to pair with a visit to Guadalupe River State Park, which features four miles of riverfront as well as hiking, swimming and many other activities.