Garner State Park
Garner State Park is 1419.8 acres (10 water acres of the Frio
River) of recreational facilities in northern Uvalde County.
The Park's History:
Garner State Park was named for John Nance Garner, U.S. Vice
President, 1933-1941; the park was deeded in 1934-1936 from private owners and was opened
in 1941. An additional 788 acres were acquired in 1976. The park's improvements made by
the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Park Activities:
The park offers camping, hiking, nature study, picnicking, boating (non-motorized),
fishing, swimming in the Frio River (unsupervised), seasonal miniature golf, and paddle
boat rentals (mid-March through November), bike riding (surfaced), and a jukebox dance
every night during summer.
The Park's Facilities:
Facilities include campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; screened
shelters; an overflow camping area; a picnic shelter with a kitchen; a dining hall;
restrooms with and without showers; picnic sites; trailer dump stations; a group camp with
screened shelters adjacent to a dining hall; .6 mile of surfaced trail for bike riding and
day hiking; 5.5 miles of unpaved trails for hiking; and a seasonal concession with a gift
store, a snack bar, a miniature golf course, paddle boats, inner tubes, and laundry
facilities. The park's 17 cabins are very popular; each cabin has kitchen facilities,
linens, and towels, but no utensils, dishes, silverware, or blankets.
Special Conditions: Any cabin reservation for either Friday or Saturday must include both
nights. Hotel/motel tax is added to cabin rates.
Flora/Fauna:
The park is full of white-tailed deer. Garner offers an abundance of huge bald cypress,
oak, elm, and pecan trees.
Directions:
The park is located in Uvalde County, 31 miles north of Uvalde, 9 miles south of Leakey,
or 8 miles north of Concan on the Frio River. From US Highway 83, turn east on FM 1050 for
.5 mile to Park Road 29 to the new entrance.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: Elevation 1800 feet. Weather: July average high is 97; January average low is
37. May and October are wettest months. Open: 7 days a week year-round. Busy Season: Busy
season is swimming season.
Area Attractions:
State parks located nearby are Hill Country, Lost Maples, and Devil's Sinkhole State
Natural Areas, and Kickapoo Cavern State Park. Also nearby are John Nance "Cactus
Jack" Garner Museum in Uvalde; the ruins of historic Mission Nuestra Seņora de la
Candelaria del Caņon, founded in 1749; and Camp Sabinal (a U.S. Cavalry post and later
Texas Ranger camp) established 1856 and Fort Inge, established 1849.
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. For more details,
call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.