This Mountainside River Is The Best Place To Go Tubing This Summer In Texas
It isn’t often that mountains and rivers share the same terrain, so Garner State Park is truly a special place. Weaving right through it is the famous Frio River, which runs along the base of Old Baldy: a mountain covered in breathtaking lush greenery. Hop in a tube and float on by the majestic natural wonder, letting a gentle current send you drifting downstream.
Hiding in the small town of Concan, Garner State Park is one of Texas’ most popular family vacation spots during the summer - and for good reason. It spans nearly 2,000 acres and offers a multitude of outdoor recreation activities including hiking, bike riding, canoeing, fishing, miniature golf, and everyone’s favorite: tubing.
2.9 miles of the pristine Frio River wind through the park, providing ample opportunities for visitors to jump in and float the day away. Lush, evergreen trees line the banks and create an atmosphere akin to a faraway tropical paradise.
Sandbars are incrementally spaced so as to allow for easy entry. Just launch into the gentle current and paddle or float until your desired exit before steering off towards the side.
You’ll pass right by the famous Old Baldy, feeling so small beneath its towering majesty. It isn’t often the beach and mountains share a landscape, making this tubing experience truly once-in-a-lifetime.
16 miles of scenic trails also meander about the terrain and beckon nature lovers to discover their secrets. There are hikes available for all skill levels, and you can check out this Interactive Trails Map to learn more. If you’re up for it, scaling the mountain is only a half-mile endeavor (a challenging one, at that, but totally worth it.)
Interested in extending your visit overnight? Screened shelters, cabins, and rugged tent sites are available for rent. Due to how busy the park gets during this time of year, camping is your best bet for securing entry - not to mention it guarantees you a spot at the nightly jukebox dance underneath the pavilion, a Garner summer tradition dating back to the 1940s.
Address: 234 Ranch Road 1050, Concan, TX 78838. Park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, however early closure is a possibility if capacity has been prematurely met.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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