Garner State ParkAbout Garner State Park
Garner State Park is a Texas state park in the Hill Country along the Frio River near the community of Concan. It is a longstanding recreational park that combines river access, trails, camping and a historic pavilion used for social events.
Visitors use the park for swimming and tubing on the Frio River, campground stays and short to moderate hiking, including the short ascent to the viewpoint known as Old Baldy. The park’s pavilion hosts nightly summer dances and park-run activities that are a major seasonal attraction.
The park was developed and expanded during the 20th century as part of Texas’ state park system and retains era-authentic park structures alongside modern visitor facilities. Management emphasizes recreational use of the river corridor and maintenance of trails and campsites.
Garner State Park occupies several hundred to more than a thousand acres of Hill Country terrain along the Frio River in Uvalde County, Texas, a short drive from U.S. Highway 83 and the small town of Concan.
- Frio River: The park lies along the Frio River and is popular for swimming, tubing and riverside picnics during warm months.
- Seasonal peak: The park operates a busy summer season with campsites, cabins and a nightly pavilion dance that draws regional visitors from late spring through early fall.
What to See#
- Old Baldy: A limestone hill and short trail that rises above the Frio River to give panoramic views over the canyon; it is a popular short hike for visitors wanting a lookout without a long trek.
- The Pavilion: A 1940s-era open pavilion on the riverbank used for the park’s nightly summer dances and social events; it is a historic park structure and focal point for visitor gatherings.
Best Time to Visit Garner State Park
Best visited late spring through early fall-spring and fall for hiking and cooler weather, summer for the river and the park's famous pavilion dances.
Weather & Climate near Garner State Park
Garner State Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 34°C. Moderate rainfall (670 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 2° - 16° | 7° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 4° - 18° | 11° | 36 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 31 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 12° - 26° | 19° | 57 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 84 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 77 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 21° - 34° | 27° | 56 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 21° - 34° | 27° | 75 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 18° - 31° | 25° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 21° | 14° | 39 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 3° - 17° | 8° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Garner State Park
Garner State Park sits near Concan, Texas-about 75 miles northwest of San Antonio (roughly 1.5-2 hours by car) and about 140 miles southwest of Austin. From US-90/US-83 take local county roads to FM/RR 1050 and follow signs into the park; nearest small town is Concan (watch for limited services).
Tips for Visiting Garner State Park
- Arrive before 9am on summer Saturdays to claim a riverside parking spot near the pavilion-parking fills fast.
- Bring cash or card; the park's concession and vending options take both but cell reception can be spotty.
- Stay for an evening dance at the park pavilion (Saturday nights, summer). Even if the band is just a cover group, the concrete dance floor and generations of footprints make it worth it.
- Hike the Old Baldy trail for a 360° view; the first switchbacks are steep-wear shoes with grip and go early to avoid heat.