This is a contributed piece by our non-profit partner, the San Antonio River Foundation
Spring is here and there is no better time to get outside! After months of online school and virtual meetings, we all are starved for a healthy dose of nature. Fortunately, the San Antonio River Basin offers so many great opportunities to accommodate the wanderlust in all of us.
As the non-profit partner of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority), the San Antonio River Foundation was established to provide amenities and enhancements along the San Antonio River and its tributaries not funded by public monies. We invite you to visit the River Authority parks and trails to enjoy the wonderful art installations and educational resources that were made possible through our joint efforts!
While we are obviously biased towards the outdoor opportunities provided by the River Authority throughout the San Antonio River Basin, we are also thankful for all the other open, public green spaces in the area and for those who work to preserve and protect them. The River Authority has created the San Antonio River Basin Guide that you can download or print to help you plan a great day exploring nature- and cultural-based outdoor resources. Here are some of our favorite recommendations for additional recreational opportunities in San Antonio for you and your loved ones to explore!
Kayak the River Walk
Photo credit: The San Antonio River Walk
Did you know that you can paddle the San Antonio River Walk? There are several sections including the King William and Mission Reach paddling trails that are available to the public year-round! Most recently, people can now kayak the downtown stretch of the river. Gain a new view of this famous section of the River Walk from a kayak and enjoy a quiet morning before all the hustle and bustle of downtown fires up!
Visit the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge
Photo credit: Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy
If you haven’t been to Phil Hardberger Park, you are in for a real treat! Both sides of this 311-acre park offer an abundance of ways to engage with nature, and now you don’t need to be concerned over which side you should park because of its new LAND BRIDGE! How cool is that?
Bike the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System
Photo credit: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation
When you live in a city of 1.7 million people, you can escape and feel like you’re miles away in the country when you visit the Howard Peak Greenway trail system! With so much native flora and fauna, you can get a huge dose of nature without ever leaving the city limits. With so many miles of trails, with varying degrees of difficulty, you can pick and choose which is right for you and your family. Try setting a goal to bike all the roughly 80 miles of trails along our creeks and water ways, but you better hurry because the River Authority and local partners like the City of San Antonio and Bexar County have plans to keep building more!
Hike the trails in Friedrich Wilderness Park
Photo credit: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation
You’re not alone if you haven’t heard of this oasis on the far north side of San Antonio! Located across from the Dominion on the way to Leon Springs, Friedrich Wilderness Park affords a glimpse of what the north side of the city’s landscape looked like decades ago before development forever changed it. With hiking trails from beginner to advanced, this park offers something for everyone.
No matter what you choose to do, take advantage of our springtime weather and go outdoors with friends and family!
