Garner State Park
Garner State Park is a summer tradition for a lot of Texas families: cold river water, a long afternoon in the shade and a dance when the sun goes down.
What it is
The park sits near Concan in the Hill Country, at 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838. It covers 1,774 acres and has 2.9 miles of the Frio River. You can swim, float on an inner tube or take out a paddle boat. Shore fishing needs no license.
The dances
TPWD says dances have been held at the concession building on summer evenings since the 1940s, with jukebox music. The concession building and dance pavilion were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
What to do
There are 16 miles of trails. Rentals include paddle boats, kayaks and tubes. You can stay in screened shelters, cabins or campsites.
A day at the river
The Frio is the draw. Most visitors spend the day in and around the water: wade in, float on a tube, or paddle a boat and then dry off on the bank. If you would rather stay on land, the 16 miles of trails climb into the Hill Country terrain around the river, and shore fishing is open to anyone without a license.
Come evening, the pavilion is the center of the park. Dances happen on summer evenings at the concession building, and it is the kind of tradition that families return to year after year. Even if you do not dance, it is worth walking over to watch and listen.
Getting there
The park is near Concan. Plug the address into a current map and leave early on a summer weekend. TPWD’s page links to a map and directions.
When to go
The busy season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, plus other holidays. Hours are listed as 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The wettest months are May and October, and July afternoons average 97F, so summer is when the river is most welcome. The park often reaches capacity, and TPWD strongly recommends reservations for camping and day use. Fees change, so check the official page.
Good to know
Feral hogs are present, so do not leave food unattended.
One practical tip
Reserve ahead and arrive early. Parking fills quickly, and gates can close as early as 8:30 p.m. when the park is full, so do not count on walking in late.
Official page: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/garner.
Keep exploring
Another Hill Country canyon, Lost Maples, is lovely in the fall. For a granite hike, see Enchanted Rock.