Summary
It is situated on the Frio River and offers visitors a range of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing. The park is known for its beautiful scenery, including limestone cliffs, clear water, and abundant wildlife.
Some of the main attractions in Garner State Park include the Old Baldy Trail, which leads up to a scenic overlook with panoramic views of the park, and the Frio River, which is a popular spot for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. Visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
Interesting facts about Garner State Park include its designation as a National Historic Landmark and its role as a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, such as the 1980s classic "Dirty Dancing." The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, armadillos, and a variety of bird species.
The best time of year to visit Garner State Park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but visitors should be prepared for hot temperatures and larger crowds. Overall, Garner State Park offers visitors a unique and beautiful outdoor experience in the heart of Texas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Garner State Park
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454
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355
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Garner SP Entrance
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