Retama Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Retama Park is a horse racing track located in Selma, Texas, just outside of San Antonio.


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Summary

It hosts live racing events from June to August, with simulcast racing available year-round. In addition to horse racing, the park also has a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a sports bar and grill, a steakhouse, and a concert venue.

One of the main reasons to visit Retama Park is to experience the excitement of live horse racing. The park has a spacious grandstand and a variety of betting options, including both traditional and electronic wagering. There are also numerous TVs throughout the park, so spectators can keep up with other races happening around the country.

In addition to the racing itself, Retama Park also offers several points of interest for visitors. The park has a Hall of Fame exhibit showcasing past champions and important figures in the racing industry, as well as a statue dedicated to the legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker. There is also a playground for kids and a pavilion available for rent for events and parties.

Interesting facts about Retama Park include its status as the first Class 1 track in Texas, and its use as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including the NBC drama "Friday Night Lights." The park also has a unique partnership with the nearby Natural Bridge Caverns, offering visitors discounted tickets to both attractions.

The best time of year to visit Retama Park is during the live racing season, which typically runs from late June to early August. During this time, the park has a festive atmosphere with live music, special events, and plenty of opportunities to cheer on the horses. However, the park is open year-round for simulcast racing, so visitors can enjoy the excitement of horse racing anytime.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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