Day Trippin' › Texas › From San Antonio › Best hikes
Our picks for the best hikes within 3 hours of San Antonio: 25 places, 4 under an hour away, 16 between 1 and 2 hours and 5 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 78205.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Natural Bridge Caverns, 31 min northeast of San Antonio.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#1 · Cave · 31 min northeast
Big show cave near New Braunfels named for the natural limestone bridge at its entrance. Two guided cavern tours plus zip lines, a maze and gem mining above ground.
Heads-up: Book online early for discounts. Discovery Tour about 75 minutes, Hidden Wonders about 70 minutes. Check the hours page before you go.
Photo: Jmbuytaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
#2 · State park · 1 hr 31 min north
A huge 425-foot pink granite dome north of Fredericksburg with about 22 miles of trails, rock climbing and dark night skies. The short, steep Summit Trail gives wide Hill Country views.
Heads-up: Reserve a day pass ahead to be sure of getting in. Dogs only in picnic areas, campgrounds and on the Loop Trail. No swimming and no bikes on trails. Little shade on the dome, so bring water.
Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0
#3 · Swimming · 1 hr 36 min north
A swimming hole under a roughly 50-foot waterfall in a box canyon west of Austin. A short, steep, rocky trail leads down to it.
Heads-up: Reservations required every day (morning or afternoon slot). Swimming is often closed for bacteria or falling rock, so call the info line before you go. No pets at all, even in cars. No water or food…
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#4 · Swimming · 57 min north
Four miles of Guadalupe River frontage north of San Antonio for swimming, tubing, fishing and canoeing. About 13 miles of hike and bike trails wind through the hills.
Heads-up: Reservations recommended. No glass or foam in the river area. All-terrain wheelchair available. Guided Honey Creek tours (no pets).
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#5 · State park · 1 hr 6 min west
Over 5,000 acres of canyons and creek bottoms near Bandera, on a former ranch, shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Heads-up: Reserve day passes. Pets on 6-foot leash, strictly enforced. No park store, bring all supplies. Trails close after weather, check status before going.
Photo: Margaretwmiller, CC BY-SA 3.0
#6 · Family fun · 1 hr 12 min northeast
284 acres of native Texas gardens and trails in south Austin, run by the University of Texas.
Heads-up: Only service dogs allowed. Card only. Summer hours start early and end at 3 p.m. Buy tickets ahead and carpool, parking is limited.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#7 · State park · 1 hr 15 min northeast
Onion Creek pours over limestone ledges at the Upper and Lower Falls, just 13 miles from the State Capitol. There are nearly 9 miles of trails, including a paved hike and bike loop.
Heads-up: Reserve day passes, as it often fills. No food, coolers, glass, speakers or pets in the water at the falls. Creek floods after rain. All-terrain wheelchairs for the Onion Creek Trail.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#8 · Bike trail · 1 hr 15 min northeast
A 2.8-mile hard-surfaced trail inside McKinney Falls State Park that suits road bikes, strollers and easy walks.
Heads-up: Part of McKinney Falls State Park, so reserve a day pass. All-terrain wheelchairs available on this trail. Hot in summer, go early.
Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt, CC BY-SA 3.0
#9 · State park · 1 hr 20 min north
The Pedernales River tumbles over wide limestone ledges near Johnson City. There are hiking, horse and mountain bike trails, plus a separate swimming and tubing area.
Heads-up: Often fills up, so reserve a day pass. No swimming or wading at the falls themselves. The river can flash flood in minutes, so leave if it rises or turns muddy. Juniper Ridge bike trail is for…
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#10 · State park · 1 hr 33 min northeast
A park in the Lost Pines forest with 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps cabins and buildings. You can see the forest regrowing after recent fires.
Heads-up: Reservations highly recommended. The seasonal swimming pool needs a separate ticket. All-terrain wheelchair can be reserved by calling the park.
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY 3.0
#11 · Cave · 1 hr 38 min north
A cave in Burnet County that the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared out in the 1930s, seen on guided tours. Above ground there are trails, picnic areas and a CCC exhibit.
Heads-up: Check tour times and buy tickets on the cavern's tour site. Day use only. Inks Lake State Park is nearby for camping.
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 · Swimming · 1 hr 38 min west
A favorite summer park on the Frio River in Uvalde County, with 2.9 miles of river for swimming and tubing and 16 miles of trails.
Heads-up: Reserve day passes, summer gates can close early. Jukebox dances on summer evenings. Tube and paddle boat rentals. Feral hogs raid unattended coolers.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Benjaminb~commonswiki assumed (based on…, CC BY-SA 2.5
#13 · Lake · 1 hr 45 min north
A clear blue lake among pink granite outcrops, with swimming, paddling and about 9 miles of trails. Devil's Waterhole is a favorite spot for a swim.
Heads-up: Reservations recommended for day use. No lifeguards. Park store rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. An all-terrain wheelchair can be arranged with the park.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#14 · State park · 2 hr 11 min east
Shady park on the Brazos River about 50 minutes west of Houston, with five miles of hiking and biking trails near historic San Felipe.
Heads-up: Trails close when muddy. San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and its museum are a short drive away. Reserve on busy days.
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
#15 · Lake · 2 hr 16 min southwest
A 1,680-acre lake on the east side of Laredo with a swim area, boating, fishing and hike and mountain bike trails.
Heads-up: Gate open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hot in summer, go early.
Government Canyon State Natural Area (32 min), Cave Without a Name (58 min), Blue Hole Regional Park (1 hr 5 min), Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (1 hr 15 min), Inner Space Cavern (1 hr 35 min), Lost Maples State Natural Area (1 hr 37 min), Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (1 hr 42 min), Mustang Island State Park (2 hr 18 min), Kickapoo Cavern State Park (2 hr 41 min), Buffalo Bayou Park (2 hr 47 min)
Our top picks are Natural Bridge Caverns (31 min), Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (1 hr 31 min), Hamilton Pool Preserve (1 hr 36 min), Guadalupe River State Park (57 min) and Hill Country State Natural Area (1 hr 6 min). The page lists 25 places in all.
25: 4 under an hour away, 16 between 1 and 2 hours and 5 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 78205.
Natural Bridge Caverns, about 31 min northeast of San Antonio.
3 need no pass or fee, including Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, Longhorn Cavern State Park and Buffalo Bayou Park. Fees change, so check each place.
23 of the 25 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.