From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and hills, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Alamo City with 12 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
State parks + wildlife areas
Government Canyon, 12861 Galm Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾, 🥾🥾, 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 40 miles of front + back country
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, front country only
From dinosaur tracks to overnight camping, this State Natural Area has everything an outdoors enthusiast needs. Don’t miss: Visit the Protected Habitat Area that is hiking accessible during September and February.
Calm rivers, lush foliage, clear skies — what more could you want at Guadalupe River State Park?
Photo by @ebryn
Guadalupe River State Park, 3350 Park Road 31
- Difficulty: 🥾, 🥾🥾, 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 13 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, keep on-leash
With 12 hiking trails, horseback riding, and mountain biking to choose from, there’s something for the whole family. After a scenic overlook trail, cool off in the river by tubing or canoeing. Are you a bird watcher? Check out the park’s field checklist.
Hill Country Natural Area, 10600 Bandera Creek Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾, 🥾🥾, 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 40 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, keep on-leash
Bring a horse (or two) and ride, bike, or hike through its vast trail system as you uncover historic landmarks like the Spring Barn and Comanche Bluff. Trail terrain ranges from flat, broad prairies to steep, rocky canyons.
Medina River Natural Area, 15890 TX-16
- Difficulty: 🥾, 🥾🥾
- Length: 7 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, keep on-leash
In addition to having a lovely outdoor hike, this property spans 511 acres allowing visitors to camp in this natural area. Don’t miss: Check out the information markers to learn more about the in the El Camino Real Wagon Trail.
Mission Reach, multiple entrances
- Difficulty: 🥾, 🥾🥾
- Length: 16 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, keep on-leash
From running to cycling and kayaking, this trail offers the best of San Antonio’s natural landscape. Visitors can easily hop on + off at any point and enjoy stunning local artwork like The Grotto, or visit the San Antonio Missions.
Far Northside
Comanche Lookout Park, 15551 Nacogdoches Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 4.55 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
This park is 96 acres and has multiples trails as well as an adjacent library. Take the Tower Loop trail and hike to San Antonio’s fourth tallest point at an elevation of 1,340 ft.
Friedrich Wilderness Park, 21395 Milsa Dr.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 10 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: No
Having 15 trails to choose from for all hiking levels, the majority of these routes are remote and don’t have access to drinking water. Plan ahead by bringing a water bottle and don’t forget the sunscreen. Yes, even if it’s cloudy.
Mud Creek Park, 16875 Jones Maltsberger Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.4 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, on-leash
This park features unmarked + natural trails. For those who don’t mind getting your shoes dirty, then this is an easy way to spend some time and reconnect with mother nature.
Greenways + trailheads
Eisenhower Park, 19399 N.W. Military Hwy.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: Six miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes, on-leash
Hike up to the observation tower for a sprawling view of the South Texas Hill Country. The trails are a mix of paved, mulch, and gravel surfaces.
McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 8.5 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Bring the pup along for your outdoor excursion. This park has various trails and surfaces for a short walk or lengthy bike ride. Cap off your outdoor journey with a trip to one of its dog parks and let Fido cool off at the puppy water fountains.
Walker Ranch Trailhead, 12603 W. Ave.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.63 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, on-leash
Only have a limited time to spend outdoors? This park is for you. The quick + brisk walk along its trail is a great way to clear your head after a busy work day.
Valero Trailhead, 5902 NW. Loop 1604
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 18 miles
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, on-leash
Whether you’re looking to add a 10-minute brisk walk to your every day life or are a runner seeking a 90-minute activity, this trailhead is for you. This trail offers multi directional routes in case you want to explore deeper into the Alamo City.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
