Government Canyon State Natural Area

Hiked the Bluff Spurs trails (north & south). If you enjoy wildlife, flowers, scenic views, and birds this is the place to enjoy it. Day passes are $6, for camping it is recommended reserve in advance via the website. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Trails are maintained but the terrain is hilly and rough. Most of the trails are “no dogs allowed”. The huge number of trails and the remote location insures no crowded areas. We very much enjoyed hiking here and will be back to try other trails.

Government Canyon State Natural Area is only open Friday through Monday. If you are camping, I'd make a reservation in advance. If the trails are wet/muddy they will close access because of erosion. Some of the trails I hiked have dense cedar trees which block the wind so expect if the temperature is hot you won't get much breeze. Trails with small loose rocks make it a challenge for hikers. You also have to watch out for mountain bikers going very fast on shared trails. The trails are very well marked and the front country is more like a state park than a natural area. I'll be back again when it is cooler to explore more trails.

Such a beautiful area! We hiked almost 7 miles just past the tracks, hopped on Overlook Trail and then headed back. The tracks are really cool to see. The best view is from the Overlook Trail. The only negative, the trail is rocks. I'm not a fan of hiking on gravel but this was some smaller gravel and a lot of larger rocks. We hiked it in about 2 hours 20 minutes but took our time.

We hiked the Joe Johnston and overlook trails to the dinosaur tracks. Total time 2 hours & 45 minutes, length almost 7 miles. Trail had a minor amount of slope throughout, with biggest challenge very rocky surfaces at least 50% of the time. Trail was nice and shady much of the way with good signage. Signage for the overlook trail was incorrect as actual distance from tracks over a mile to the overlook. Good parking, good bathrooms at visitor center. We took a guided tour a week before to the old farm area and our volunteer guide was excellent. 👍

About a year ago I discovered government canyon and we love this park. It’s one of our go-to places for hikes with my 50 pound canine buddy. Savannah Loop is an easy 2 mile hike. We have the annual pass for the Texas state parks and it’s well worth it for regular outdoor activities all across Texas.

Very busy this weekend, but such a beautiful park. I recommend getting there early. Must see in the springtime. It’s just starting to get green, but after it rains a few more times, there will be flowers everywhere.

This is the third time we have been out to Government Canyon and this time our family joined us for a birthday hike. We had 5 kids and 6 adults. We all did the discovery trails since most of them don’t really enjoy hiking like we do. We love how family centered this park is absolutely loved and the discovery trail is fantastic for all ages! Stop by the rangers station and pick up the scavenger hunt for the kids or yourself. The rangers are all top notch, facilities super clean and the parking is great. Take the drive and visit this great state park!

Absolutely loved the hiking. Moderate to hard difficulty with how quickly I was pacing myself and thoroughly enjoyed the Joe Johnson trail that led into the Overlook trail. Beautiful views with great scenery. I loved every moment of it and could not be more thrilled with the 2 hour drive to get there. Will be going back to visit other parts for sure. 10/10 recommend!

Love how San Antonio has a piece of nature located in the heart of their city. This state park is conveniently located and in close proximity to where we live. It's best to go online and prepay entrance fee - approximately $6/person or free for person with a military park pass. Plenty of parking and their visitor center is clean and well staffed. You'll see signage of the most current birds cited and flowers that are currently in bloom. We have been here quite a few times, but this visit took us on the Joe Johnston trail. A moderate trail and easy to follow. The goal - to reach the dinosaur tracks and overlook. With all the rain we had recently, a variety of beautiful flowers were in bloom, I couldn't take a pic of all since there were so many beauties and my storage is full : ) When we reached the dinosaur tracks, most were covered by deep water, from the previous rains. Water was stagnant, therefore many mosquitoes were swarming. Make sure to cover with bug spray, I apparently forgot to cover my face, so I had a few bites to forehead and neck. I was able to take few of the tracks uncovered by the water. Another cool point on this trail was the overlook, located just above the dinosaur track area. There you'll see gorgeous views of the lush green hill country. All in all, the trail was approximately 6 miles. Well worth it. We'll be back, there's always a new area to explore : )

This is our favorite place local park to hike! Such a great area with lots to do and explore. The park often has events for Little Rangers and group hikes for all ages. There is an entry fee. Try the Overlook Trail! Different levels of difficulty are available for you!

I have been to this state park several times. They have many beautiful trails and mainly the dinosaur prints. Sadly the weather is either too cold or too hot. It was a bit of a struggle keeping hydrated and enjoying the hike. I would keep on going though despite the weather and exploring more trails

I absolutely loved this place. Another fun state park I was able to enjoy. I really had no issues getting around, and I felt the paths were easy to follow. There were many trails you can take here, and thankfully, the map calls out the paths and how difficult it can be to do. There is also a visitor center you can check on for scheduled events or information about the park thats nice to check out. Keep in mind that you have to make a reservation to get in, but it's pretty easy to do. I did the Joe Johnston trail, and there were many markers that were easy to follow and didn't feel I would get lost. It did have off the path trails but I didn't do them. Alot of pretty flowers to look at, many butterflies around, and the sound of birds chirping in the early morning; it was a very peaceful hike. I did get to see the dinosaur tracks, which were pretty cool. I think this would be fun for kids to explore. I also was able to see zizelmann house. Though you can't really go in, it was interesting to view and did have some facts sign around. Overall, I recommend this place for anyone to explore. I definitely plan to visit again soon before it gets too hot.

Great gathering space in nature. Sink, ceiling fans, tables and chairs for up to 40 guests. We brought more tables but there were plenty of chairs and room. No glitter, confetti or balloons but we had a background and stand for it. $60 for 9am to 9 pm. $1 admission per person. No loud music but we played games, had food, gave prizes and opened presents. Highly recommend for family gatherings and birthdays. No pets in the gallery. There's also a pavilion and amphitheater for larger groups.

Beautiful scenery, well mapped out trails, hours of possible adventure! Free for disabled Veterans but for non Veterans the fee is around $6. Plan your visit, there are trails for every levels of adventure you are willing and or able to take!

4.5 rounding down. there are a few interesting trails that are closed for a good portion of the year in the backcountry section. there are a lot of loose chunky rocks on most of the trail. the zizelmann house was boarded and gated up. the trails network is great, well marked, and has long distance.

Government Canyon State Natural Area is a great place to get outside and enjoy a beautiful texas day. It was really cool to get to see the real dinosaur track fossils. It is a short drive from San Antonio.

Beautiful and accessible park with awesome amenities. Since it's so close to San Antonio proper (22 mins), I will be choosing this as my go to for hiking and camping. The trails are paved and very well kept. The staff was also very friendly and the restrooms were really clean. I was able to bring my dogs for hiking because they have two pet friendly trails. The awesome part is that they have dinosaur tracks that you can view, but you cannot bring your dogs to those trails. They also have these really cool lockboxes to protect your things if you're staying overnight. The amphitheater is pretty big too.

I camped here this weekend (2/18/23) and the facilities were beautiful. The restroom was a bit on the cold side as the temperature inside was colder than the temperature outside. They held their 100th year event and we arrived at the end. We were able to attend the ranger talk in the amphitheater with hot cocoa. That hit the spot. The site we were at was big enough to fit our 14x10 tent with room to walk around. The hikes around us were beautiful. We tried the Sendero Balconies on bike. It was very challenging. I already RSVP'd to the next ranger events coming up as this park was amazing

I know people sometimes complain about paying for parks but I enjoyed this park so much that I wouldn't mind going paying at all. The staff was so kind pointing you in the right direction and making sure you are safe with this heat. Clean and beautiful park.

What a gem right in our backyard. Government Canyon is an aquifer recharge area, so thankfully saving land in the middle of development. The canyon requires reservations and a $6 fee per car. Definitely make reservations online beforehand because they sell out at peak times. There are so many trails to choose from so plan that out prior as well. While known for the dino tracks, this hike is pretty long for kids. If you are going to do that one plan on three hours. The photo is from the Spurs Overlook trail, which only took around two hours. It had really cool terrain, but was not too challenging. There is not really any water available so definitely pack water and snacks. There were a few spots that get a bit confusing so have the phone GPS. Overall a really beautiful preserve with lots of wildlife. There are also walk-in tent sites, but all looked to be full. I saw a sign for pavilion rental for events and it was really affordable. Around $60 for the full day. With all of the development in this area I'm so thankful for the farm and ranch land conservation program. Places like this will continue to exist for future generations.

We came camping for Thanksgiving this year and loved this park! Easy to get to, affordable as most Texas State Parks are. Staff was friendly and helpful, campsites were clean and well-maintained. There is a restroom near the sites that has private showers, a family restroom, and then men's/women's restrooms with multiple stalls. The only thing lacking are some electricity outlets if you needed to do any charging or use a pump for any of your gear. We hiked on the Savannah trail and the signage was pretty confusing, but I think it's because it overlaps with Lytle's Loop? Not sure... the trails could also use more dog waste stations to keep the areas cleaner. Overall though, a great experience. We'll be back and try out a different site in the campground.

Nice spot that most just drive past. Good trails , I mean it no Yosemite but it's great spot to get some walking miles in.

Who knew that a state park this fantastic existed in San Antonio!? We've visited many TX state parks and this one was right up there with our favorites. The trails were well groomed, park employees were super helpful and facilities were clean. Great time of year to visit but make sure you make a reservation. We aren't hard core hikers so we stayed on the more simple trails. Still beautiful!

We decided to take pictures here for my niece who is graduating! We entered through the side of government canyon and parked at the dead end. Then we walked near the dam and the view was breathe taking! I definitely want to come back but this time to enjoy the water!

This is an amazing and inspiring location if you've never walked in real dinosaur footprints! The recent upgrades are great additions. It's easy to locate and the park rangers are all very kind and helpful.

Have been going to this state park since we have lived in SA. The kids were 3 and 5 the first time we hiked there and now are in college still enjoying a little peace and quiet right outside the sprawl of SA. Have hiked and biked these trails and think it is a little rough for mountain biking, but did have some good runs out there. Wish the backcountry was open to bikers, because these are the best trails in the park. This area is only open in the winter months and decided to head out in January for a nice cloudy day. It is a long ways to get to the backcountry, but you pass the dinosaur tracks if going the big trail of Joe Johnson. Also get to see an old homestead and a beautiful setting with the windmill. This is a wonderful park for all levels and ages of outdoor-ians. There are campsites with new bathrooms.

Excellent park for hiking and doesn't get crazy-crowded like Friedrich and Eisenhower. I LOVE that dogs are not allowed in the back country area...I get sick of seeing dog poo everywhere at the other parks in SA, since many don't clean up after themselves. Staff are friendly Only thing is there is only one primitive toilet on these long trails and it's far...I wish they would put a couple of others. There are nice and clean ones at the parking lots at least. Sometimes it does take a while to get in if the line is long at the entrance

Absolutely loved this State Park! The campsites were very private and the bathrooms/restrooms super clean! No water or electric connections and some campsites require some walking to get to them. The hiking trails were great and the Rangers were very helpful and friendly.

Great place to go for a hike. Went on a short 4 mile hike through the park and had a wonderful time. Be sure to take water and keep track of where you are because you could end up on a very long hike. Have snacks also. Definitely coming back, I want to do the dinosaur footprint hike next time!

I live in the Canyon and love it here. Plenty of wild life and miles of trails. Take your trash when you leave and don't let your kids wander too far. Large packs of coyotes are present and will eat your children if left unattended.

I lived in SA back in the day, yet this is the first time I learn about this park/trail and it was awesome First off I wish I'd done more research before heading out cause I'd have brought a waterpack instead of a water bottle.. and probably a knee brace too lol Walked about 5.5 miles but was told there are about 40miles of trails overall.. massive place! It was great... and would love to go in a bike too... Year pass is up at 12/31 of that year so was told to go back early January and be able to get the full year out of the pass... (that should maybe be updated??) Great retreat out of the city hustle!

Great camping spot for beginners! Each reservation ($9 per day with the State Park pass) comes with its very own private camping alcove, nestled amongst trees. The alcove includes ample space for two tents (that's the max number permitted), a fire pit, camp bench and food storage box. The amenities include a fresh water tap near the parking area, free parking, new & clean restrooms, and fire wood for purchase ($5 for 5 logs - cash only). I highlight that it's a safe spot for beginners because you're close enough to fellow campers to hear their sounds, whilst still maintaining your sense of privacy. The fellow campers are all very friendly and helpful. Would recommend bringing a tent air mattress as the ground is quite gravelly, and plenty of blankets to stay warm at night. We completed the Joe Johnston hiking trail (about 5.7 miles) to see the fossilized Dinosaur tracks. You get a much better view of the tracks from the Overlook trail (1 mile, connects to the Joe Johnston trail).

Such a nice state park. Beautiful views and nice trails. It was a good work out. It is a well maintained park. And it was only $6 each adult.

This is a beautiful escape from the city. It's close enough to San Antonio for people to spend the whole morning and afternoon. We picked the Joe Johnston trail to start with. It's fairly level with several slight inclines. About 3.5 miles in, we turned back and were able to enjoy the same view from a different perspective. The gift shop has all sorts of souvenirs from magnets and books to walking sticks and t-shirts. Ranger Ric (in the gift shop) was very helpful and kind enough to tell us about all the trails and scenic points on the map.

Government Canyon State Park is a busy state park very close to Sea World in San Antonio. They were sold out for the day but I hardly saw anyone while hiking. The hikes are long and some are pretty strenuous without much shade. I hiked 14 miles getting into protected area that is only open September-February. Drink lots of water! The recommended amount is 1 liter per hour. Pretty park with nearly 40 miles of hiking trails. There is really no easy (or short) way to get to the backcountry and protected habitat trails but it was a great day of hiking.

My dogs love it here. We walk the trails then head to the dog park. Nice group humans and dogs at the dog park. The parking lot does get full. If you have a big truck, might be a tight fit depending on how busy the park is that day. Over all the park is clean and well kept. I feel safe walking here. Lots of bikers. They will usually warn you when they are coming up from behind.

We visited Government Canyon for the first time today. It was a beautiful day for a hike! The visitor center and restrooms are near the trailhead start and are very clean. We started on the Joe Johnston trail, headed up the Overlook Trail, down the Windmill Trail and finally, headed back on the Wildcat Canyon Trail. It was a total of 8.6 miles and took @ 3.5 hours. I highly recommend wearing hiking boots if you're doing these trails. The surface of the trail is extremely rugged and rocky. We're thankful we had our boots on, otherwise our feet would have been hurting. The overlook was a pretty view but most of the trail was dense with live oak trees and cedar. We're excited to check out the other trails next time around.

Do you know what rocks are? Well government canyon has all of them. If you plan on riding a bike on the trails there make sure you're riding a full suspension enduro bike with at least a helmet because if you ride anything with a rigid frame or a bike with no shocks and you have fillings, you won't have them when you leave. It's Sylvester Stallone in that boxing movie what was it called??

Whenever anyone hear "San Antonio," they think: Riverwalk! If you're speaking to someone with an adequate education, you'll probably hear: "Alamo. Remember the Alamo!" Well, we decided to visit San ANtonio for neither of these reasons (and we've already patronized them in the past). After a lovely google and yelp search, we found GCSNA! What a wonderful Park! Park? Is it okay to call this a park even though it's a "natural area?" We really enjoy hiking, so we opted for outdoor days and indoor evenings. We started off by taking the Joe Johnston trail to the dinosaur tracks, yes, dinosaur tracks! There aren't many, but it's still neat to see them roped off and preserved. Then, we proceeded to the Canyon Overlook trail, which was beautiful (and about 7 miles). There were only 2 drawbacks on this trail: 1) rocky trail (really-larger than gravel rocks) and 2) limited signage (didn't always know if I were still on the correct trail). Unfortunately, I went back to the hotel with a bruised toe since my hiking boots were not up to the challenge of this trail. My husband was fine since he was wearing toe-reinforced hiking boots. The next day we hiked 9 miles on the Recharge and Far Reaches trail, and the only complaint on this trail was the lack of signage as well, but it was less rocky and my feet didn't feel so beat up on day 2 - yay! Needless to say, these two days were tiring since we're amateur (at best) hikers and found these trails to be both beautiful and challenging. We do hope to return and try out some of the other ones next time (after I buy some new hiking shoes).

I'm reviewing this as a Houstonian who wanted some good hikes and a place to camp. There was A LOT to love about this place. There were some difficult long hikes with some elevation and there were also some easy trails for a morning stroll. There was more noise in the front country. For solitude enter the backcountry. A short easier yet varied hike in the backcountry was Bluff Spurs. Our least favorite trail was Lytle's Loop. It was dull and mostly exposed. Campsites were very clean but not really a place to hang out. I don't recommend it for families with small kids. Unlike State Parks, there is NO room to run and explore. A family next to us was letting their kids play in the bathroom construction zone which was gated off. I really loved all the signage throughout the park. They have a great sense of humor and it is evident that they love their jobs and the environment.

Who knew this hidden gem was right in San Antonio's own backyard??? Beautifully preserved natural area that is kept clean AND NATURAL! Many trails to choose from - from easy to really rough. Wooded areas to savannah grasslands. Historic ranch buildings and even dinosaur tracks in the limestone. Nice secluded tent camping sites in the Front Country but none in the Back Country - not sure if it is even allowed. The camping sites have a decent ground level grill with a good picnic table and even a wood cabinet to keep your food in to prevent the animals from getting to it. Running water available near most of the camp sites. Pets only allowed on the Front Country trails and biking only allowed on certain trails on both the Front and Back Country trails - get a map when you go in to make sure you know what is allowed where. Two bathrooms with running water available near the parking lots but only one primitive bathroom available in the Back Country. Near the Visitor Center, there is a picnic pavilion and also a screened in meeting room available for rent. The picnic pavilion has two nice grills to cook on, a fireplace and even has ceiling fans and lighting. I didn't see any electrical outlets available though. There is a water spigot on the back side of the grill area but you need a special tool to turn it on - not sure if that is available to the public or not. The screened in room near the visitor center has a small kitchen with cabinets, a sink, and running water. See my pix for more details on these facilities. As everyone else has stated, bring plenty of water and take care of your pets - they don't show the oncoming symptoms of heatstroke like we do. Keep them them hydrated!

Our team hiked out on an October Saturday morning with tolerable heat and a gentle breeze. The admission was supposed to be $6 a person but our ringleader decided to obtain an annual pass ($70, military discount available), making our admission free for the all who can fit in the car. The visitor center is hard to spot. Basically, walk towards the voices. Obtain your government pass there, buy trinkets from the gift shop, learn from all the educational booths, and enter a raffle. We learned that there were maybe three mountain lions between the Government Canyon State Natural Area and Camp Bullis and to huddle and make ourselves look big when we see a mountain lion. The trails are pebbly! Our group had fun calling out all the obstacles (rock, branch, other hazards) while we hiked. What we probably should have called out were the pile of poops along the way, from which we had many a close call. The pebbles are precarious and I twisted my ankle hard once going down a steep spur. If a trail run was conducted here, there would be many ankles rolled and falling comrades to attend to. A good hike with shady overhangs and no mountain lion attacks (or any other animal sighting for that matter). Unfortunately, much more pebbles than I deem safe for a fast speed hike (run). Four stars, may come by again for a slow hike.

Great views , easy trial to walk! Really pretty and easy on the feet! Go here if you want to get a great walk in and breathe in some fresh air!!!!

This is a great local state park in San Antonio! Love the proximity so I don't have to get up super early to go hiking and then have a long drive back after a tiring hike. Less travel time means more trail time! The big draw to this park is that it has dinosaur tracks which is pretty cool to see. There are 3 areas blocked off where the tracks are. The park has a front Country and a back country. The front country is the ONLY place you are allowed to walk your dog. It has 2 loops, the Savannah loop which is 2.12 mi and Lytle's Loop which is 4.74 mi. The back country is where you will see the dinosaur tracks, an old house for the 1880s, and a couple of other interesting areas. There are a lot of different trails you can go on that loop around. To see the dinosaur tracks you will need to go on the Joe Johnston Route which is 4.45 mi. From that route alone you can get off on other routes and loops. My best friend and I took Joe Johnston and saw the tracks then went up to the Canyon overlook then went down on the Sendero Balcones and my watch said we had hiked 9.67 mi. But you could go a lot longer if shorter because all the other route and loops within. The trails offer a lot of great signs to help guide you. Though we planned to go down a different trail but somehow missed it so we ended up going longer than we planned. Always bring plenty of water and a little snack because you never know how long you *can* be out there. Lastly, I did see people mountain biking but they have some big rocks so bring the big tires.

Cool park. Make sure your in somewhat good health because the hike can be brutal lol!!

Dino tracks, great trails all levels of challenges, and easy parking! We will be back to try the other trails!

This place is great for those that want to start hiking, but don't have too much knowledge of the outdoors. I love the affordability of this place, along with how well the trails are maintained. There are picnic areas, benches throughout the trails, and plenty of trail markers. I opted for the Savannah Loop and Lytle's Loop today and I was very happy with the hike! For you dog mom's/dad's, the trails also have poop bags located throughout and a water bowl at the beginning to let your pets hydrate.

Amazing! The park is beautiful and surroundings are lush and the wildlife is and trails are everywhere. I love that you can feel far from the city in this park. It's definitely not like other nearby parks where you feel so close to the road, etc. I am definitely going back.

My friend and I came here a couple of weeks ago. There are plenty of places to park and plenty of hiking trails. I don't remember what the trail we went on was called. We got to see the dinosaur tracks which was cool. There are a lot of spider webs so I recommend wearing a cap and bringing sunscreen/bug spray. The restrooms are clean and they have a space that you can reserve for meetings. There isn't service then hiking so that's something to keep in mind. This area is closed to the public Tuesday-Thursday and admission is $6 per person. The views are beautiful, I will definitely come back. This is a picturesque place to take photos. The park rangers are friendly and helpful too.

Just a nice place to get away from the stress in life. Peaceful and beautiful affordable place to relax.

You could hike for days at this place! I don't know how it happens but I always se to get lost in here. The trails are pretty easy here with various terrains. I have done the back country and the frontier trailhead and both offer easy-moderate level and lengthy trails. This is a great place for dogs since the trails are fairly easy but I wouldn't take them too deep into the backcountry. I recommend using the All Trails App for the live map because it is very easy to get lost with all the different trails. They could use more signage as well to better direct you.

Nice spot to take the dogs for a walk/hike when the weather is cool. Be sure to make reservations and only certain parts of the park are open to dogs.

Wonderful trails. A Texas treasure. The staff was helpful and the trails clearly marked.

Great area to hike, at least early in the morning during the summer. Best during the fall winter and early spring, Multiple trail choices and wildlife variety from season to season as well within season from migrating birds to butterflies.

It's beautiful, clean and has many trials to choose from for your comfort level. I need to go back to explore more trials! There are lots of trees that provide shade on hot days. There are clean restrooms and even picnic areas! Definitely worth the visit. But you're going to want to spend a lot of time here so take plenty of water and snacks.

For those who like the outdoors this is a great place to take a long stroll whether you're a walker or trail runner this is the place for you. If you're lucky enough you may be able to see the dinosaur tracks in the creek!

A great place to hike for all levels. I would recommend paying for your reservation ahead of time to get through the check-in point easier. Depending on what time you go, there may be a bit of a line to get in.