Parks and Natural Preserves

For relaxation and recreation, San Antonio boasts several city parks—Crownridge Canyon, Eisenhower, McAllister, Stone Oak, and Walker Ranch among them. The city's star park, however, is picturesque Brackenridge Park, at Broadway and Funston, northeast of downtown in the Alamo Heights neighborhood. In 2006 the comfortably aged park emerged from a five-year, $7.5-million makeover that, among other improvements, transformed roads once used by cars into paved trails for bicyclists and joggers. Additional recreational opportunities at the park include golf , picnicking (grills are provided), pedal boating, fishing, and, for the little ones, burning off energy on the playground equipment. Another option is simply unwinding with a stroll and feeding the ducks. The San Antonio River runs through the park, as does one main thoroughfare, Red Oak Drive.

For more information on Brackenridge Park and other parks in San Antonio, visit the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department's website, www.sanantonio.gov/sapar.

Friedrich Wilderness Park. On the outskirts of town (about 20 mi from downtown off I–10), this 600-acre hilly haven for rare birds and orchids offers more than 5 mi of hiking trails, including one handicapped-accessible trail (rollerblades and bicycles are not allowed). Bird-watchers from around the world are often spotted here. Some species are seasonal, such as blue jays (fall and winter), eastern meadowlarks (spring), red-winged blackbirds (spring and summer), scissor-tailed flycatchers (spring, summer, and fall), and double-crested cormorants (winter). See turkey vultures, finches, Carolina wrens, doves, northern woodpeckers, northern cardinals, mockingbirds, and more year-round. 21395 Milsa St., North, San Antonio, Texas, 78256. 210/207--3781; www.fofriedrichpark.org. Free. Daily 7:30–sunset.

Government Canyon State Natural Area. The area is home to numerous varieties of trees and several species of rare birds, such as the golden-cheeked warbler, which you can check out in the 8,600-acre park in Bexar County, just outside San Antonio. It offers views of surrounding Bexar County and glimpses of San Antonio. Protected Habitat Area trails are open September through February, but other trails are available year-round. The park is for day-use only, and, like any good outdoor area, offers Wi-Fi. 12861 Galm Rd., North, San Antonio, Texas, 78254. 210/688--9055; www.tpwd.texas.gov. $6. Fri.–Mon. 8–6.