San Antonio Camping & Outdoor Recreation

Summer's here, and with the sun shining and flowers in full bloom, it's the perfect time to get back to nature. Camping is a great way for the whole family to get together and experience the great outdoors. Most camping exists in state parks, of which there are over 140 scattered throughout the different regions of Texas. Whether you're packing a van full of kids, planning a couple’s getaway, a trip with friends, a solo excursion, or a day trip to get out of the city, here are some of the best places to go camping in and around the San Antonio area:

Enchanted Rock – North of Fredericksburg, this place has a huge, granite monolith that's a favorite for hikers and climbers, plus lots of different hiking trails. If you tire of nature, head in to the city of Fredericksburg for a day excursion.

Canyon Lake – While it's a bit of a drive outside of San Antonio, the scenic beauty of Canyon Lake is well worth the drive. With 80 miles of shoreline, there are all kinds of exciting outdoor activities to take up here, from fishing and swimming to canoeing, boating, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and other water sports. It's also got some of the best whitewater in Texas along the Guadalupe River above the lake.

Blanco State Park – On the banks of the Blanco River, this is pure Texas Hill country, with bass fishing all year around. The drive is up 40 miles north of San Antonio.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park – Who says there are no mountains in Texas? Guadalupe Peaks is the highest peak in Texas at 8,749-feet. Hiking and bird watching are among popular activities, as is generally observing the wildlife.

Padre Island National Seashore – For over 100 miles up and down the Texas coastline, Padre Island is barrier island offers excellent spots for bird watchers, plus hiking, fishing, and biking along the island.  Corpus Christi connects to the north end of the park via the John F. Kennedy Causeway.

Paradis Canyon – In Rio Medina, this site has tubing, canoeing, paddle boating, and fishing await you at this campsite west of San Antonio. Great for a quick day trip out into nature!

Pedernales Falls State Park – Located between San Antonio and Austin, the Pedernales Rives cascades over layered limestone to create a beautifully scenic view. Go hiking, tubing, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, or swimming in the river.

Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area – For those that really want to get away from it all, this is literally in the middle of nowhere. This vast spread of land – over 260,000 acres – covers all kinds of unique desert habitat and archaeological sites plus float trips down the Rio Grande.

Author Bio:

Nadia Osman – Based in Los Angeles, Nadia writes travel articles for websites and blogs, as well as real estate and home furnishings, and home appliances such as a water softener San Antonio company.