Fantastic, well maintained, private tent spots. Do not expect showers. They have port-o-johns and a pit toilet. It looks like they are in the process of upgrading the bathroom situation. HIking is extremely rocky, you will want thick soled shoes. Hiking loops make endless combinations here possible and quite fun. Visitor center is currently closed because of Covid-19. Will come back to this park with my family for sure.

Over 12,000 acres and 40 miles of trails. And you have to reserve far in advance as they only let 75 people in at a time. And they are closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I have been trying to check this place out for a long time, but every time I am in the area something prohibits it. I understand covid is a concern. But come on. 75 people. They should just close it.

Well maintained and really nice folks. The trail system is extensive! The longest loop is 14 miles (no backpacking sites). The trails were closed due to heavy rainfall until the afternoon when it was a bit too hot for me but I did manage to hike the Bluff Spur trail. Campsites are very roomy and shaded but sound travels very easily between campsites. Note that the park is closed most of the week and camping is only Friday and Saturday nights to respect the land and animals. I might be back when its cooler if Im in the area to do a long hike, but I wouldnt say its a park I will go out of my way for. Still very beautiful

This is a beautiful state park not too far from San Antonio. However we were not lucky enough to be able to experience it. By the time we got there they had run out of open spots for the day and we were not able to book it before the time. Hopefully we will get to enjoy this on our next trip to San Antonio.

Walked to the Dinosaur tracks, what a walk! Its 5 miles there and 5 miles back. I liked that it was clean no trash, people walking by were friendly and everyone said hi! My husband and I felt safe and there are many trails. The trees along the trail make it pretty shady so it wasnt so hot and there are signs everywhere to know how far you are from the next trail.

So beautiful and serine. Family oriented. Well placed. Loved this place. The guide at the entrance was very friendly and most helpful.

We had a wonderful time. The Joe Johnston trail was beautifully kept with rocks, dirt, gravel pathes with inclines and declines that are worthy of the rating of moderately difficult. There was actual wildlife and signs of that are present. Bring a pack for your comfort as there is no potable water, places for snacks and some of the trails take a while depending on your speed and ability.

Super opportunity to get out and explore some of the beautiful trails just outside of San Antonio. The park has plenty of parking and a nice office with maps etc. Take plenty of water with you and have sturdy hiking boots as most of the trails are rocky and can be challenging on a hot day. There are a lot of things to see here so take your time and enjoy. Look for those dinosaur Tracks!

Take a break! from your busy schedule and visit well maintained beautiful Canyon State Natural Area. It is recommended for hikers and those love to see nature. Some trails are challenging, but if you love walking, youll enjoy it here. Based on my personal experience I recommend the following.• bring plenty of water.• wear hard sole shoes• take hiking/walking stick• keep the trails map with you• avoid headphone… enjoy the NATURE

It’s the closest park to hike or bike near me.I enjoy seeing the wild pigs and other animals.

Did the Lytle hike. My dog and I enjoyed it. Good easy hike.

Tried twice at 8 am, gate closed. Called, but the recording said it opens at 7. Wished I could have seen the park! Finally got thru . Park will open Aug 21. Closed because of Covid. Update: you have to make a reservation, even for hiking! I dont think I will ever see this park. It should say it on their website!Update: 11/26. Finally got in. Didnt realize only the first part is petfriendly! And most of the area was burned. You might want to wait if youre planning to bring your dog! It smelled bad and some spots were even still smoldering!

Great park and the employees are always helpful. The Dino tracks are 5 miles round trip. Not a hard hike but too far with kids in the afternoon. Bring water. There is none on trail. Go in the AM when its cool. Also reservations for day entry are needed right now.

Clean and well kept up. My three year old enjoyed the Discovery Trail and it wasnt too long for him. There is also a play area that he really enjoyed. Plan ahead if you want to go on the weekend morning. During the heat of the summer getting reservations (due to Covid 19) can be a week or two out.

Lovely hiking trails. We camped overnight and had a very pleasant experience.

Beautiful clean hiking trails! Beautiful outdoor pavilion for my wedding venue! Excellent staff!

Love this park and we go all the time because it is close. Dinosaur tracks was a big hit with my kid but is quite the hike. There are tons of trails but they do close when it rains so pay attention to the forecast as they are often closed for days after. The park annual pass is well worth it if you go more than 3 times or so to any state parks. This is great for novice and intermediate hikers and may be a bit boring for those seeking advanced sights or challenges. I am a Colorado hiker so this is nice to just play around at with my child and teach about plants, animals, and survival things.

My family had a great time here! Plenty of nice walking/running/multi-use trails with shade. And yes, it can be very hot here so make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen if needed. You can bring dogs but their limited to the multi-use trail. Overall a very nice park!

Excellent state park with a good variety of trails and terrain. Nice facilities as well.

Im sure park is beautiful but people at the admissions booth were extremely rude and hostile. In a very cold way indicated that will not be seeing the park today without a reservation. Then, as i was leaving i pulled over to the shoulder to type in on my GPS my next destination and the park attendant told me i must to leave the property immediately!! Wow! Alrighty, thanks for making sure I have a great day!

Amazing park, great beautiful trails, spent the whole day here and will be back next time Im in town !

FACT: I love this place. FACT: I am in favor of masks and other interventions to reduce transmission of COVID-19. ***But, the restrictions in access to this OUTDOOR park are absolutely ridiculous! We know outdoor spaces are much much safer than indoors. And this is 12,000 acres of space. Even in the busiest of times (pre COVID) I never felt the pro was crowded. On a 3 hour hike, I literally might pass 15 people. To restrict access the way that it Is currently is a counter to scientific thinking and a clear overreaction.

Great place. People who are working here are very friendly. Attention: if you are coming in Autumn it will be hot. So dont forget to bring some water or buy it in their shop. They already had 14 rescues from overheating this year. The hiking walk to dinosaurs prints takes around two hours and no water places around. Its highly recommend that you have water with you. Place itself is amazing. If you have comfortable shoes you will be fine, I didnt plan ahead so I had to suffer a little bit. But the memories will stay forever with me. Love it

Came here and took my son and two nieces camping. It was a nice park but they are currently rebuilding their Bathrooms. Not a big deal, until you have 3 kids with smores all over them and no real bathroom to clean them up.A lot of the campsites are hike in sites. Again not a big deal until you have kids and all the stuff that comes with them.The park Rangers were amazing and nice. Half of the trails are still closed but we did all 7 miles of the lower ones and it was perfect.

Very beautiful nature with flowers, trees, cacti, butterflies, and even snakes. Along with a few miles long hike; a great way for exercise. Watch your steps, there are many rocks come from different sizes along in some paths that may cause you to trip. Did I mentioned rattlesnakes?

Its really a nice place for all levels of hikers.

Great hike, but make sure you take extra water when its so hot. Especially if you bring a pet. Super tough on the dogs.

Ran here on an early Saturday in July, temperature was great, plenty of shade, the steam had to be waded at the dinosaur tracks about 2.5 miles from Backcountry trailhead but only knee deep. Trails are pretty rocky so dont go too minimal with footwear. Mix of double and single track, not too much elevation. Trails are very well marked but I had the map saved on my phone too. Check the map posted at the trailhead so you know the closed trails, mostly those farther out. Really enjoyed it!

Did a 12 mile hike here. Hardly anyone there. Nice and flat. Dinosaur tracks were cool! Beautiful wildflowers. Staff at visitor center was friendly and helpful and told us which trails were closed.

This is a gem of an area right in San Antonio’s back yard. Staff is great and you can tell they care about this park. The trails are rugged, fun and easy to navigate. Dinosaur tracks are mostly currently underwater but it’s still a fun hike. Beware of rattlesnakes! The wildflowers are out in bloom so enjoy them before they’re gone!

Well maintained park, the entrance fee is $6 per adult, children under 12 are free and adults 65+ are $3. The trails are fun to hike and range in milage and difficulty so there is something for everyone. Camping is available I think its $12. We saw a lot of interesting insects, birds, and a ton of butterflies around the wildflowers. Make sure to bring water!

Great place to camp and hike! The park rangers are always so nice and helpful. The camp sites are very nice and well kept. I love that its so close to the city. I will return again and again!

This area is a must hike. The paths are clean, and well kept. The terrain is gorgeous and some or the trails will give more seasoned hikers a challenge.

Beautiful hiking trails and very friendly park staff. The trails are very clean and well maintained. The dinosaur footprints were really hard to see though due to water and standing algae.

Went on a nice walk on the Discovery Trail, enjoyed the paved trail with informational signs on the different plants there. A great way to spend outdoors.

Drove an hour to find out you need a reservation. Park was full but no line. Thank China for Covid

I’d heard of this park from fellow San Antonians. We did a day hike and did the overlook trail. It was so beautiful! Almost the whole trail was shaded. I do recommend wearing a thicker sole shoe or hiking boots. We wore some regular athletic shoes and my feet were a little tired from the rocks. Can’t wait go to here again once I get some better shoes and do the longer trails!

Just a day after heavy rains the park shined brightly green with wild flowers, butterflies & birds galore! Only the main trail was open but there was plenty of nature to adore. The park store had some interesting and informative items for sale. Extensive, pristinely clean picnic grounds are offered in wooded settings. Limited weekday hours so verify access before going.

I love this park! Amazing trails for hikers and friendly ones for all the family. It is also a great place to read peacefully or to do some challenging mountain biking. It has it all!I just hope they can reopen the protected habitat area soon, which has been closed since September rains. Overall, it is one of my fav parks in San Antonio metro area.

Great time today, I took several different trails today and was not disappointed.

Very nice place the hiking trails are exciting. You must Carry a map since the signs dont have any information but codes that match the map.

We have visited Government Canyon State Natural Area about 5 times in the last few months and its great as lots of options for hikes of all levels. Remember to book for the weekends at least a few weeks ahead

We arrived late and they had our site info ready. The sites are spacious and clean. They also come with a secure cabinet for your food to keep the animals out. They are building showers and when thats done this place will be perfect. You can hear road noises because its right at the edge of town, but you barely notice. We didnt get to hike to the dinosaur footprints because the rain closed the trails but we will definitely come back to try again.

Good hiking, clean state park, nice bathrooms, lots of trails to choose from.

We went on a free weekend excited to see dinosaur tracks, the TPWD website said some trails may be closed, but when we arrived were told all but Discovery Trail were in fact closed. The pay center said to check back at noon which we did but by then my children were completely unimpressed. I will say the trail was easy and informative.

Really well maintained trails and amazing bird watching! We had a great time camping and cant wait to go back after the bathrooms are finished being built.

Very nice facilities with friendly staff, well maintained trails with lots and lots of gorgeous scenery, great spot for nature enthusiasts.

I love this place so much! Its so calm and secluded from the world, a great place to get your mind off the world. Its also marked very nicely and clearly for you to understand where you are at all times. Im definitely going back again another time.

Went and did the Lytles Loop and had a blast. A lot of great peaceful parts. We will be going back soon.

Hiked the Lytles Loop Trail, an easy 4.4 mile loop trail within the Government Canyon State Natural Area, operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife in San Antonio, Texas. Encountered a strange piece of vegetation along the trail. If you know the name of this unusual plant, please let me know.

Excellent nature area close to San Antonio, well marked trails. Some trails on the front country are damaged by the fire. But overall a good experience.

Awesome park! Cheap fun hike with a couple nice overlooks.

Lytles Loop. Next time I will park in Parking Lot C where campers park. Awesome wildflowers.

Very pretty area that feels secluded even though its pretty close to town. Nice trails with well-groomed gravel and pretty foliage all along. Clean and attractive visitors center and surrounding facilities. A little bummed that after a day of rain they closed all but one trail. Also the WiFi at the visitors center is unnecessarily slow (

Great campsites. Set back a little bit from the road/parking lot so that theyre really peaceful. Everything is very clean and well maintained. Althis ugh the park was full, it didnt seem crowded at all; we barely heard or saw our neighbors. We had a great time, the only thing that could make it better would be a hot shower!

Great nature hike! Be careful of the mountain lions and coyotes, but its still really nice out there.

Although some of the trails were closed when we went which was 2 weeks ago, we had a good time! It was a great workout with a great view!

Lots of trails for hiking and biking. Miles and miles of technical mountain biking. Wide open trails in dog-friendly area, some parts are shaded but huge areas with no shade - so bring water for the pups!! Wish they allowed off-leash (come on command “leash”) hiking.

Beautiful park, lots of trails and scenery. The visitor center is helpful.

Trails are easy. There are shady paths as well as some with more sun exposure. Biking is possible but not overcrowded with bikers. Should bring plenty of water. Family friendly.

One of my favor hiking trails in SA!!! The only downside is only open from F to M. Admission fee is also required. The trails are pretty long, so make sure you come at least 2-3hrs before sunset.

Wonderful day. The flowers were spectacular.

Beautiful! TPW personnel everywhere. Friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely be back!

I love this park. Its a great hike but can be rocky. No water on trails so make sure you bring plenty, especially in the summer. The higher trails are open to the direct sun from about 11:30 till 2:00 pm. The lower trail is flatter but a beautiful 4.74 mile easier hike. No dogs on upper trails but the front country lower trail allows dogs.

Wonderful park, cant wait until they open up the dinosaur tracks trail again!!!

I love this park! When its open... the trails tend to close when it rains. Its to preserve the trails but at the same time it can be a bummer when looking for a place to hike in the natural elements.

This place is Awesome. Been in SA for 10 years and should have made it sooner. We usually go to places with water but this is a nice hiking place. Definitely going to take my mountain next time.

Love this park! My favorite trail is the Joe Johnston, not a super great place after it rains! Make sure the ground dries a little first but I can hike the trails all day here! The staff is also always friendly.

My biggest complaint about this park is the online map view. The map shows that all sites have a paved road that goes directly into them. Most of the other state parks, if the campsite is a *hike in* spot, the map shows a dotted line or some other indicator that it is a trail to get there, not a road.This is not the case at Government Canyon. The online map shows roads and trails as being the same, so imagine our surprise when we showed up for overnight camping and learned that we had to hike in to our spot. The hiking trails themselves could also definitely use some clearer marking on the trails themselves.Another annoyance: the park guide told us when we got there that no generators of any kind were allowed (we had a small one for charging phones, running a fan, ect) and we assumed it was to keep the place quiet and natural.Fine.THEN THE GUN RANGE NEARBY STARTED, EVERY NIGHT, AND WENT ON FOR _HOURS_.What???Two of our campers were literal Iraq War veterans and wanted to know why we were camping in what they dubbed PTSD Park.There *really* needs to be a warning for this.Overall, this was definitely not one of our more enjoyable trips.

Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Great trails for everyone. The discovery trail is stroller friendly and has great signs with bits of information about stuff you can find there. We have also done part of the dinosaur track trail but our little ones were not up for it. We have not tried the other trail yet but plan to.

Came in for a hike out in the dark overall great place to do so. Cleared my head and chatted with my partner had a great time. Only issue we had was the map needs more details for the trails but even with minor inconvenience we still had a great time like the self pay station was fast and easy to use.

I absolutely enjoyed running the trails here!! I would totally recommend this park, its a great place to get some running in!

Great trail system NW of San Antonio. Very simple drive to get out there. The main draw is the dino foot prints, but note that its about 2.5 mile trek to get out to see them through mostly flat, but rocky terrain. There is a nice overlook path just above the dino tracks that offers a great view of the region.Important to note, dogs are not allowed on the back country paths (where the dino prints are), but are allowed on the front country.Cost is 6 dollars per adult. kids 12 and under are free.

I love this park because weather your looking for a short hike or very long one its all here.

Love this place. Miles of trails. Cant wait to explore it all.

Great trails and park. Just remember to book and reserve your visit ahead of time.

Great park! Great hiking trails so close to SA. We come here all the time since we live in the area, why wouldnt we! Its beautiful and right in our backyard! They do charge but, if you buy yourself a State Park Pass, it pays for itself in no time!

There are many different trails. So you can go for a leisurely walk or a multi mile hike. The trails are well kept and park clean. Love going here alone or bring the family.

Awesome place close to the city that has hiking and biking trails. Staff is knowledgeable. Clean restrooms and well put together visitors center. If your looking to get away from the big city life, head to Gov State Canyon.

Its just awesome. Unfortunately it is so wonderful that every nice day to take a hike it is extraordinary busy. Probably because it is in such a great location for a short getaway. Highly recommend it if you live in the San Antonio area!!!

We loved it, wish there were more trails open. My girls and I had a great time.

It would be great if the website or the phone message included the vital information that you need a reservation. Complete waste of time checking the hours and the covid guidelines and even calling and then driving there to be turned away. Thanks for nothing.

It was very peaceful going for a walk here. They have different trails. Some are more challenging than others. They have a visitors center where they sell items such as a walking stick and t-shirts. The price of admission is $6 for adults. Make sure to bring water.

We like going here but were very disappointed to find out we couldnt bring our dogs into the back country. The back country has some great loops with some moderate elevation at times. For the most part, I would rate these trails as easy to moderate. Loose rock and narrow trails would make it hard for those with disabilities, inappropriate shoes, or inexperience. The front country has 2 loops. One is roughly 2 miles, the other is roughly 4 miles. All flat. Could bring a stroller if you really wanted to!

The trails are amazing, views are gorgeous. Kids love the naturescape playground and the dinosaur tracks.

Miles and miles of biking and hiking trails with several large parking lots. Many park rangers walking around, with central complex of buildings, bathrooms, and gift shop. Trails can be easy or challenging. Wild animals present, be on lookout. Ancient walkway for dinosaurs, footprints left, you can get within a few feet.

Nice place to hike and get away from the city.

Great hike even better views

Well kept trails and good markings. While the Texas landscape leaves something to be desired, this is a great park! Very lcean restroom facilities and friendly staff as well.

GCSNA is a beautiful place to go hiking. The trails difficulty vary, so theres something for everyone whether youre an experienced hiker or a novice. However, in the summer heat, even the simplest trails can become difficult. That being said, please take a lot of water with you. The average person needs about 32 oz. for every hour youll be hiking, so plan ahead and be prepared. I have seen many people at this park carrying one 16 oz. water bottle and no backpack, so its obvious they didnt have anymore water on them. I pity them. Also, watch out for rattlesnakes if youre hiking the less crowded trails.

Great local place to go hiking! Make sure to check the Facebook page before you head there they tend to reach capacity on the weekends.

The paths are really fun and the dinosaur footprints are great. If you havent seen many before, youll probably be underwhelmed because they are just semi-uniform holes in the ground. Honestly though, theyre millions of years old, what do you expect?

This place is AMAZING! Lots of trails; however some you cannot go if you have a dog, which only lets you go on like a third of the trails (still more than enough). There’s also bikes allowed in some so you have to watch out for them.

Beautiful place to explore. I was only able to spend a few hours there before dark, but Ill absolutely be going back.

Beautiful scenery. bring water.

Really nice for a leisure hike. And very close to San Antonio so it’s easy enough to go their. Make a day of it and bring a picnic

The speciality here is Dinosaur track. If you can walk 5-6 miles I recommend visiting the Dinosaur tracks. Its one of a kind. Please note you should see it from the lookout. Otherwise you might not be able see the actual shape of the track. Be sure to check their website. They have some valid tips.

Beautiful natural area. Miles of trails. Pay close attention to the difficulty levels of the trails. They are true. Always bring lots of water especially during summer. Some trails are in canyon areas and there is hardly any breeze there. There is also the Discovery Trail which takes just 30 minutes to complete and is made up of flat easy trail path.

This is definitely a great place for hiking. Trails are clean of garbage and the scenery is absolutely beautiful! We will definitely be returning for another hike in the very near future. Their maps and trail markers are very clear and detailed. I highly recommend taking plenty of water. 1 bottle per mile, per person. Also... dont forget to eat and bring light snacks for your breaks. Mind your footing and keep a steady pace. Dont hurry or rush. Take your time to breath in and soak up that natural air. The sounds of the forest are so calming and relaxing. Definitely a great way to spend the day unwinding from the city!

Great place to hike, but be aware of the heat. Some parts are closed until fall.