Welcome to another Outside Scoop with the Youth Odyssey crew! This time we will be taking a look at Garner State Park and all the amenities it has to offer. Youth Odyssey takes kids to Garner all the time and it's one of our favorite camping spots. So let's break it down and talk about the park and all the great things to do there...
The Trails
There are some AH-mazing destination hikes at Garner. You can hike up to caves and scenic overlooks. Probably the most popular and challenging hike is the Old Baldy trail. This trail is pretty steep and rocky so you'll definitely want a good pair of hiking boots to protect those ankles. Even though it is challenging because it is so steep, it's not a long hike at all. The hike is only a mile there and back and once you make it up to the summit, all the hard stuff was totally worth it. The view is fantastic! You can see all over the surrounding areas and you'll get a great look at the Frio River. We highly recommend this trail to hikers out there who want to challenge themselves and enjoy the Texas hill country views.
The Swimming
The Frio River runs right though Garner State Park and it's a big attraction there. In fact, many people come to Garner just to float in the river. Did you know that frio means cold in Spanish? Well just dip your toes in the river and you'll figure that our pretty quickly. It is a spring fed river and it stays about 68 degrees year round making it a popular oasis for people wanting to escape the Texas heat.
The Campsites
The campsites at Garner State Park are pretty basic campsites that include a water spicket and fire pit. There are campsites for RV's and even cabin rentals (way cool). The tent camping sites are pretty spacious and the restrooms are well kept and operate pretty smoothly. The only complaint we've ever had from kids is about the taste of the water. It is very mineral heavy and tastes a bit like sulfur but if you can see past that then you'll have a great experience camping at Garner.
The Verdict
Garner State Park is a great place for the whole family and theres something for everyone to enjoy! There is great hiking, swimming and during the busy season there are a lot of events at the park for young couples, teens and families. The park is definitely worth checking out and spending a few days camping and enjoying the hill country.
