Garner State Park

Garner State Park sits on the Frio River in Uvalde County, 8 miles north of Concan and about 2 hours west of San Antonio. It’s best known for swimming and tubing in the clear, cold Frio, the summer jukebox dance at its 1930s pavilion and the short, steep climb up Old Baldy. The park often fills in summer, so reserve a day pass before driving out.

On This Page

• Swimming and Tubing the Frio River
• The Summer Dance
• Hiking Trails and Old Baldy
• Paddling, Fishing and Mini Golf
• Camping
• Cabins and Screened Shelters
• Best Time to Visit
• What Visitors Say
• Getting There
• Know Before You Go
• Nearby Parks
• FAQ
• Sources and Official Links

Swimming and Tubing the Frio River

Swimming and tubing in the Frio River are the main reason most people visit Garner State Park. The park holds 2.9 miles of the river, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), and swimming is allowed at the visitor’s own risk, with no lifeguards on duty. The deepest water is at the dam in the Old Garner area.

What the River Is Like

• Reviewers call the water crystal clear and cold, even on 100-degree days
• The bottom is rocky. Water shoes are the most repeated tip, and the July 2026 flood left sharper rocks, KSAT reported
• Visitors found the river too low to float in mid-2025 and early 2026, then strong for tubing in summer 2026
• On October 30, 2026, the Frio River at Concan gauge read about 71 cubic feet per second, close to normal for late October

Tubing and Rentals

The park store rents tubes for $10 a day plus a $20 deposit, according to the concession. Renters must be 18 or older with ID, and day users return tubes by 8 p.m.

• The float: put in behind the pavilion and float to the dam, about 90 to 120 minutes, then walk back. The tube shuttle is not running until further notice. For a float with a shuttle, Andy’s on River Road in Concan, about 7 miles south, rents tubes and runs a shuttle bus
• Life jackets: rentals are listed as unavailable, but the store sells them. TPWD advises them for children and weak swimmers

Rules on the River

Swim only in designated areas, and keep pets and glass out of them. Public drinking or displaying alcohol is against park rules: visitors report cooler checks near the river and open-container tickets of about $200. Some river access points are roped off so the banks can regrow.

The Summer Dance

Garner State Park has held jukebox dances at its pavilion on summer evenings since the 1940s. TPWD says it is the only dance pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in a Texas state park that still hosts regular dances. Reviewers describe it as a family tradition that spans generations.

• When: summer evenings until 11 p.m. The concession’s dance page lists nightly dances from 8:30 to 11 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend into mid-August, plus spring break dances, but its dates carry no year. Call the park for this year’s schedule
• Park hours: from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the park stays open until 11 p.m. No day passes are sold after 10 p.m.
• Parking: it fills on dance nights, and TPWD says gates can close to new arrivals as early as 8:30 p.m.
• The music: a jukebox, not a band. Visitors suggest bringing $1 and $5 bills
• Dogs: not allowed on the dance-floor level, but welcome on the lower stone patio nearest the river

Hiking Trails and Old Baldy

Garner State Park has about 16 miles of trails, according to TPWD, and most are rocky and steep in places. The best-known hike is Old Baldy, a short, hard climb to views over the Frio canyon.

Miles and ratings as TPWD lists them, without saying one way or round trip. The park trail map (PDF) adds shorter trails, such as White Rock Cave Trail and Madrone Walkway, that bring the total to about 16 miles.

Old Baldy

The Old Baldy Trail is only 0.5 mile, but TPWD rates it challenging and calls it very steep and rocky. Reviewers take about 35 to 45 minutes to reach the top, and many say it is harder than they expected. The rock gets slick after rain, and summer hikers go early, then cool off in the river. The summit looks down on the river, the dam and the campgrounds.

Crystal Cave and Trail Tips

Crystal Cave is about 30 feet deep and sits at the end of the 0.6-mile Crystal Cave Trail, which TPWD rates challenging. Bring a flashlight.

• Markings: reviewers report poorly marked junctions and side paths. Load the TPWD interactive trail map or carry the park map
• Closures: as of October 2026, the Blinn River Trail is closed, as are parts of the Madrone Trail and the lower CCC Entrance Road Trail near the Scenic Overlook construction
• Bikes: the park map marks the Frio Canyon, Old Horse, Ashe Juniper, Madrone Walkway and Highway trails for hiking and biking. The rest are hiking only

Paddling, Fishing and Mini Golf

Away from the swimming holes, Garner State Park has paddling rentals, free fishing and an 18-hole mini golf course, all near the Old Garner day-use area.

• Paddling: the Boat House rents 1-person kayaks for $15 an hour, plus 2-person kayaks, paddle boats and stand-up paddleboards for $20 an hour. Renters must be 18 or older with ID. It opens daily in summer, on weekends or Saturdays in spring and fall, and closes in December and January
• Fishing: no fishing license is needed to fish from the shore inside the park, and the park loans fishing gear
• Mini golf: the concession’s 18-hole course costs $7 for a first round for ages 4 and up, and $4 for a second round
• Wildlife and night sky: TPWD notes golden-cheeked warblers along the Old Entrance Road in spring. Visitors report deer, armadillos and dark skies with the Milky Way

Camping

Garner State Park has 347 campsites, according to TPWD, all with water and most with electricity. TPWD lists no tent-only or primitive sites. The park splits into two areas along the river: Old Garner, near the store, pavilion and dam, and New Garner, quieter and farther from the concessions.

Campsite Types

Prices are TPWD’s per-night rates, plus the daily entry fee.

• Full hookup (12 sites, $35): Shady Meadows, New Garner. Water, sewer, 50-amp; pull-through, no tents, no shade
• 50-amp electric (137 sites, $26): Rio Frio and Live Oak, New Garner, with showers nearby
• Electric (39 sites, $26): Oakmont, Old Garner, a short walk from the river
• 30-amp electric (35 sites, $22): River Crossing and Shady Meadows, New Garner
• Water only (49 sites, $20): Pecan Grove, Old Garner, near the river and pavilion. Units 20 feet or less
• Water only (75 sites, $15): Persimmon Hill and Rio Frio, New Garner. Units 20 feet or less

The reservation site lists 323 sites, fewer than TPWD. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring with grill. Only the full-hookup sites have sewer; other RVs use the dump stations.

Which Area to Book

• Old Garner (Pecan Grove, Oakmont): closest to the river, dam, store and dance, and the pick for first-timers, reviewers say. Expect more noise
• New Garner (Live Oak, Rio Frio, Shady Meadows, River Crossing, Persimmon Hill): more secluded, with quiet hours enforced after the dance and level, well-kept sites
• Winter: Live Oak and Persimmon Hill close in winter, January and February per TPWD, or December through February per the reservation site

Reservations and Camp Rules

Book early for spring, summer, holidays and weekends; reviewers call peak-season sites hard to get.

• Campsites, cabins and screened shelters open for booking 5 months ahead; check-out is noon
• Up to 8 people per site; quiet hours and generator curfew run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Each extra vehicle past two costs $5 a night, and vehicles stay on pavement
• The reservation site says there are no gate codes and no entry after the gate closes. Late arrivals wait in the headquarters lot until the office opens at 8 a.m.
• Raccoons, feral hogs and stray cats raid campsites. Lock food and coolers in a vehicle

Cabins and Screened Shelters

Garner State Park rents 17 cabins and 37 screened shelters, according to TPWD, and both book up fast in summer. The cabins sit in the Old Garner area, and TPWD’s park history says the CCC built cabins here in the 1930s.

Cabins

• Rates: 13 cabins with a fireplace cost $150 a night and 4 without cost $130, plus tax, with a 2-night minimum. The rate covers 4 people, up to 6 at $10 per extra person
• Inside: two double beds, a kitchen sink, microwave, refrigerator, stovetop with no oven, a bathroom with a shower, and central air and heat
• Bring: dishes, utensils, linens, blankets, pillows and towels
• Rules: no pets, tents or RVs at the cabins. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. Cabin 18 is ADA equipped

Screened Shelters

A screened shelter is a roofed, screened room with a picnic table, a light and an electrical outlet. Campers bring their own bedding.

• Pecan Grove, Old Garner (21 shelters, $35): close to the river and the pavilion
• River Crossing, New Garner (16 shelters, $30): reviewers like the river-front shelters here
• Rules: up to 8 people, no RVs, tents only in designated areas and no pets. Each has a fire ring and water spigot outside

Group Camp and Group Hall

The Cypress Springs Group Camp ($400 a night) has a dining hall and five air-conditioned bunkhouses for up to 40 people. The Group Hall in Shady Meadows ($75 a day) holds up to 64. Both book by phone only, up to 12 months ahead, at (512) 389-8920.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring through summer is the season for swimming and the dance at Garner State Park, and it is also when the park fills. Fall and winter are quiet, and mid-November brings color to the trees along the river.

• Spring (March to May): spring break and Easter are among the busiest weekends. Water levels vary, so check the river gauge before planning a float. May is one of the two wettest months
• Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day): nightly dances, all rentals open and July highs around 97°F. Capacity closures are common, so book a day pass up to a month ahead and arrive early
• Fall (September to November): crowds drop after Labor Day. Reviewers say mid-November is the prettiest time. October is the other wettest month, so watch for flood alerts
• Winter (December to February): the quietest season, with January lows around 37°F. Two camping loops close, the Boat House closes in December and January, and a January public hunt closes the park for about a week (January 2 to 9 in 2026)

What Visitors Say

Garner State Park averages 4.8 stars across 1,000 Google reviews from May 2025 to October 2026, and 4.7 stars across about 6,660 reviews overall. Most visitors call the river and the dance the highlights, and the complaints are consistent.

• The river: clear, cold water gets praise in about 200 reviews. Low water spoiled tubing for some visitors in mid-2025 and early 2026
• Getting in: visitors without a day pass were turned away on summer days, including a Tuesday morning in July 2026
• Crowds and noise: summer weekends and holidays are packed, with late-night music in some campgrounds. Weekdays, fall and winter are quiet
• Bathrooms: most reviewers call them clean, including a newer air-conditioned shower house. Some older restrooms look dated
• Trails: Old Baldy is the favorite hike and harder than many expect
• Construction: a one-lane stretch with a traffic light near the Scenic Overlook meant long waits in 2025 and 2026. TPWD suspended that work in April 2026
• Staff: rangers get praise for help in storms and emergencies. Park police are strict on speed, parking and alcohol

Getting There

Garner State Park is on US 83 in the Frio River canyon, 31 miles north of Uvalde and 9 miles south of Leakey. From US 83, turn east on FM 1050 and go 0.2 mile to Park Road 29 and the park entrance. From San Antonio, take US 90 west to Sabinal, then FM 127 to Concan and US 83 north.

Drive times to park headquarters:

• San Antonio: about 2 hours (92 miles)
• Austin: about 3.5 hours
• Houston: about 5.5 hours
• Dallas: about 7 hours
• Uvalde: about 50 minutes

A few things to know before driving out:

• Capacity: on busy days the park closes to visitors without a reservation as early as 10 a.m. and reopens by 6 p.m. A reserved day pass or campsite guarantees entry
• Floods: the Frio rises fast after heavy rain. The park closed July 16, 2026, when the river crested near 20 feet at Concan, and swimming reopened July 21

Know Before You Go

Garner State Park is busy, river-focused and strict about its rules. These fees, rules and tips matter most.

• Fees and passes: $8 a day for adults 13 and older; children 12 and under get in free. Entry is charged on top of camping fees. The Texas State Parks Pass ($70 a year) covers entry for the holder and guests
• Booking: day passes go on sale 1 month ahead online or at (512) 389-8900, for a Day Entry (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) or Evening Entry (7 to 9 p.m.) slot, and they guarantee entry when the park is full. Campsites, cabins and shelters open 5 months ahead
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and until 11 p.m. on summer dance nights. Everyone 4 and older wears a wristband for the whole visit
• Dogs: on a leash 6 feet or shorter and attended at all times. Not in swimming areas, buildings, cabins, screened shelters or on the dance floor
• Shade and fires: the riverbanks have little shade, so bring a sunshade and water. Burn bans happen in drought; check before lighting a campfire
• Wildlife: reviewers report an occasional water moccasin in the river. Since July 2026 the reservation site has warned that New World screwworm is in parts of Texas, so check pets often
• Closures: the Blinn River Trail is closed, a January public hunt closes the park for about a week, and the whole park closes April 12–22, 2027
• Facilities: the park store sells groceries, ice and RV supplies (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in summer). A cash-only grill and an ice cream shop open in summer
• Cell signal: spotty. Reviewers say AT&T works better than T-Mobile, so download maps and passes before arriving
• What to bring: water shoes, life jackets for kids, small bills for the jukebox, a flashlight for Crystal Cave and sturdy shoes for the steep, rocky climb up Old Baldy

Nearby Parks

Four other TrekTexas guides are within about 2.5 hours of Garner State Park. Bear Creek State Park, a new state park less than a mile away, is not yet open for camping.

• Lost Maples: about 28 miles north, known for bigtooth maple fall color and canyon trails
• South Llano River State Park: about 77 miles north near Junction, with river tubing and paddling
• Government Canyon: about 84 miles east in San Antonio, a natural area with long hiking trails
• Guadalupe River State Park: about 90 miles east, with river swimming and tubing
• More parks within reach of San Antonio: Parks Near San Antonio

FAQ

Is a reservation needed to visit Garner State Park?

Not always, but a reserved day pass is the only way to guarantee entry. The park closes to day visitors without one when it reaches capacity, which is common on summer days and holidays.

When is the Garner State Park dance?

On summer evenings until 11 p.m., nightly from about Memorial Day weekend into August. Call the park or check the concession for this year’s dates.

Is Garner State Park open after the floods?

Yes. As of October 30, 2026, the park is open and swimming is allowed at the visitor’s own risk, though the Blinn River Trail remains closed. Check the alerts page before going.

Are dogs allowed at Garner State Park?

Yes, on a leash 6 feet or shorter on trails and campsites. Dogs aren’t allowed in swimming areas, buildings, cabins, screened shelters or on the dance floor.

Sources and Official Links

Facts in this guide were last checked in October 2026 against these sources.

• Garner State Park and park history (TPWD)
• Entrance fees and Texas State Parks Pass (TPWD)
• Campsites, cabins, screened shelters and group facilities (TPWD)
• Trail list and trail map (PDF) (TPWD)
• Park alerts and state park rules (TPWD)
• Texas State Parks reservations: Garner
• Park store and rentals, Boat House and dance schedule (park concession)
• Frio River at Concan gauge (National Weather Service)
• Frio River flood report, July 2026 (KSAT)

Featured photo: Photo: Ashton Brown