Would your ideal vacation spot be a perfect wilderness retreat filled with hiking, canoeing, tubing, geocaching, and even dancing? For many, the answer is yes, and each year many outdoor enthusiasts choose Garner State Park as their ideal summer destination. Packed with numerous nature-based activities, loaded with the wonders of Mother Nature, and highlighting the beauty of the Frio River, this state park could also be your premier location for summer outdoor adventures. Not familiar with this amazing state park in Uvalde County? Here are 5 interesting facts to know about Garner State Park.
1. Rent
This beautiful state park is located in Concan, Texas, on the southwestern edge of what is known as the Edwards Plateau in the Balcones Canyonlands. It was created during the Cretaceous age due to fault line activity. Deep cliffs and mesas define this picturesque canyon land and surround clear rivers and streams, perfect for fishing, canoeing and tubing. The place, although visited by many year after year, remains largely unchanged by human activity. Natural changes that occur due to weathering, flooding, or plant growth can constantly redefine the landscape without human intervention.
2.Wildlife
Since the naturalness of this park is preserved as much as possible, much wildlife lives and thrives there. Visitors to the park will frequently see this wildlife all around them. Squirrels, raccoons, and white-tailed deer are the most common, but more exotic animals also exist. Look for Rio Grande turkeys and mourning doves among a wide selection of diverse birds. If you are a bird watcher, then you are in luck. The golden-cheeked warbler and black-headed vireo, both endangered species, nest in the park from spring through summer.
3. The Cold River
Emerging from springs as the West Frio River, it quickly joins 2 other tributaries and flows southeast for 200 miles before emptying into the Nueces River. The name Frio means cold in Spanish and this name perfectly describes the crisp, cool waters that attract bathers and campers along its shores. This river is recognized in the song “All my Ex’s live in Texas” by George Strait, who grew up in Frio County.
4.Geocaching
Combine the joys of hiking and exploring with a scavenger hunt and you have geocaching. Hundreds of geocaches are hidden throughout the park and can be found using a GPS device or smartphone app with GPS capabilities. The GPS device tells you how far away a geocache is and you need to go out and find it. They can be hidden in trees, under rocks, or even placed behind signs and landmarks. Often a geocache will house a logbook so you can write your name and claim victory over that treasure forever.
5. Dancing
In the 1940s, on summer nights, people would gather at the concession building in the park and throw a dance. This tradition has survived to this day and the park hosts dances every night. They are very popular and require getting there early as they fill up quickly.
As you can see, this national park is a wonderful vacation destination filled with wildlife and natural beauty.
