Garner State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Garner State Park offers exceptional RV camping across multiple campgrounds with over 400 sites, featuring Texas Hill Country's crystal-clear Frio River, legendary summer dances, and 16 miles of scenic hiking trails. Situated along 2.9 miles of the spring-fed Frio River within 1,774 acres of rugged limestone terrain, this iconic Texas destination provides diverse camping options from primitive sites to full-hookup facilities, making it perfect for Concan RV rentals and Uvalde travel trailer adventures seeking riverside camping experiences.
What Makes Garner State Park the Ultimate RV Destination?
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Garner State Park captures the authentic spirit of Texas outdoor adventure with its legendary combination of crystal-clear river swimming, traditional summer dances, and some of the most scenic camping in the Lone Star State. Famous for being the birthplace of Texas state park traditions, this 1,774-acre paradise stretches along 2.9 miles of the spring-fed Frio River, offering year-round recreation that draws families back generation after generation.
You'll discover endless adventure during your RV trip to Garner, from tubing and swimming in the notoriously cold Frio River to hiking 16 miles of diverse trails that showcase the Hill Country's unique ecosystem. The park's iconic dance pavilion comes alive during summer evenings with jukebox tunes that have been bringing people together since the 1940s. Whether you're exploring the Old Baldy Trail for panoramic Hill Country views, testing your luck fishing from shore (no license required), or simply relaxing under the towering pecan trees, Garner offers authentic Texas experiences you won't find anywhere else.
The summer season brings peak excitement with the famous Garner dance tradition, when families gather on warm evenings to dance to classic tunes in the historic pavilion built from local limestone and bald cypress. Spring and fall offer ideal weather for hiking and wildlife viewing, with comfortable temperatures perfect for exploring the park's diverse terrain from river bottom to rocky uplands. Winter provides a peaceful retreat with fewer crowds and excellent opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography.
During 2025, the park continues implementing improvements to enhance visitor experiences while preserving its rustic charm. With ongoing construction in the Pecan Grove area through mid-September 2025 and seasonal trail closures, advance planning ensures you'll make the most of your Hill Country adventure.
RV Rentals in Garner State Park
Transportation
Driving
You can access Garner State Park via Highway 83 from multiple directions, with the most popular route from San Antonio taking Highway 90 west to Sabinal, then FM 127 to Concan, and finally Highway 83 to the park entrance. The park accommodates RVs up to 40 feet in length on most roads, though some areas have restrictions for larger rigs. From November through March, driving conditions remain excellent with mild winter weather, making Garner accessible year-round, unlike many northern destinations.
Where Are the Best Gateway Cities for RV Rentals?
San Antonio Gateway Access: San Antonio RV rentals provide excellent access to Garner State Park, positioning you just 90 minutes from the park entrance via scenic Hill Country backroads. This major metropolitan area offers extensive RV rental options, from luxury Class A motorhomes to budget-friendly travel trailers, with full services and supply opportunities before heading to the park.
Austin Hill Country Access: Austin travel trailer rentals serve as an ideal launching point for Hill Country exploration, with Garner State Park approximately two hours south via back highways through charming Texas towns. Austin's diverse RV rental market provides excellent options for longer Hill Country road trips, combining multiple state parks and attractions.
Parking
You can park your RV at designated campground sites and day-use parking areas near the park's main attractions, including the famous dance pavilion, Frio River swimming areas, and trailheads. Parking becomes more limited during peak summer months and holiday weekends, when the park often reaches capacity by 10 AM and closes to day visitors. RV campers with reservations can enter even during capacity closures.
Public Transportation
While public transportation is not available within the park, you can reach nearby Uvalde via Greyhound bus service, then arrange transportation to the park. Once inside Garner, the park's compact size makes walking the primary method for accessing amenities, with paved paths connecting major areas and campground loops easily navigated on foot or bicycle.
Campgrounds and parking in Garner State Park
Campsites in Garner State Park
Reservations camping
Shady Meadows Camping Area
There are 12 full hookup, pull-through campsites located in the Shady Meadows Camping Loop, plus several water and 30 amp electric spots. Sites are reserved for RVs and trailers since no tents are allowed in this area. You can camp under the backdrop of forest-lined hillsides with access to picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers. RVers will absolutely enjoy the wildlife viewing area and playground nearby.
River Crossing Camping Area
The River Crossing Camping Area is a small campground located next to Shady Meadows and the Nature and Education Center. Nestled next to a flowering river, the campground offers about 10 sites for RVs and tents with water and electric hookups. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, grills, lantern posts, restrooms, and showers.
Pecan Grove Camping Area
This camping area offers amazing views of rocky Texan hillsides. While site lengths vary, motorhomes, trailers, and pop-ups up to 20 feet in length are permitted. There are 49 sites available, offering access to water connections, fire rings, outdoor grills, and picnic tables. You’ll be conveniently located near the boathouse for renting aquatic equipment, too. Generator use is allowed during the day.
Live Oak Camping Area
Live Oak offers sites for tents and RVs up to 65 feet long. You'll have access to electric and water hookups. Your site will be close to showers and restrooms, and you’ll be provided to picnic tables and fire rings with grills too. These sites offer breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country.
Oakmont Camping Area
The Oakmont Camping area offers 39 sites that offer water and 20- and 30-amp electric hookups. You can relax in the serenity of shady trees in the heart of the Texas Hill Country where some of the most scenic sites are near the beautiful banks of the Frio River. Also, you’ll have access to restrooms, picnic tables, outdoor grills, and fire rings. Generator use is permitted during the day.
Persimmon Hill Camping Area
Persimmon Hill offers about 20 sites for mostly tent camping only. However, some sites can accommodate pop-ups, trailers, and RVs up to 20 feet long. These scenic sites offer water connections, picnic tables, outdoor grills, and fire rings. Generators may be used during the day.
Rio Frio Camping Area
Located amidst shady trees, the Rio Frio Camping Area offers over 70 sites that vary in length with water and electric hookups, as well as water only sites for RVs up to 65 feet in length. You’ll have access to showers, restrooms, outdoor grills picnic tables, and fire rings to make your trip far more enjoyable.
Alternate camping
Frio Riverbend Cabins and RV Park
Frio Riverbend Cabins and RV Park offers a fantastic overnight destination just minutes from Garner State Park in Concan. This family-friendly campground provides a wonderful home base set directly on the crystal-clear Frio River, featuring full hookups and welcoming pets with certain restrictions. Open year-round, it's perfect for extending your Hill Country adventure beyond the state park.
Parkview Riverside RV Park
Parkview Riverside RV Park in Concan provides full hookup sites with 20/30/50 amp electrical service, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. The campground features both sunny and shaded campsites, an air-conditioned bathhouse, and clubhouse facilities. Located directly on the Frio River, it offers quiet mornings with coffee and river views while maintaining proximity to Garner State Park activities.
Seasonal activities in Garner State Park
Off-Season
Picnicking
The off-season is a great time to enjoy a relaxing picnic at this state park, when the air is cooler and the trails are less crowded. You’ll love enjoying a scrumptious meal while being surrounded by beautiful views of Texas hillsides and rocky canyon faces. Whether you want to picnic along the riverfront or on top of a hillside, Garner State Park is a scenic oasis for RVers.
Geocaching
Did you know that you can go on a 21st-century treasure hunt during your RV trip to Garner State Park? Geocaches are hidden items that you can find by GPS coordinates using a smartphone app.
You might find tradeable items for children or a log book to write your name for future explorers to see you visited. Geocaching is a family-friendly activity where you can find the hidden objects in the park. Like every outdoor activity, make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a pen or pencil to sign the logs in the cache.
Birdwatching
The spring is one of the best times of year to birdwatch at Garner State Park. Once you take your binoculars out of your camper, you can try to spot the endangered golden-cheeked warbler or the black-capped vireo, both of which are native nesters in this area. You’ll want to look high in the Ashe juniper or low in the shrubs to spot these rare species. You might also catch a glimpse of turkey vultures, mourning doves, and eastern bluebirds.
Hiking
Garner State Park is a perfect place for RVers to get out on the trail and hike on over 11 miles of scenic routes. If you’re looking for an easy trail, take a leisurely stroll along the grassy knolls of the park, like the half-mile Nature Trail. The short Nature Trail also features the park headquarters and bathrooms, and you won't have to worry about competing for trail space with bikers because it is a hiking-only trail.
Known as the longest trail in the park, the Frio Canyon Trail is 2.9 miles long, encircling both the Nature Trail and the vast majority of the northern side of the park. This trail features a hike near the Persimmon Hill, River Crossing, and Shady Meadows Camping Areas, as well as a wildlife viewing area, parking, visitor center, and a playground.
If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can take a more strenuous hike in mountainous areas of the park to catch some amazing views along the 2.5-mile Ashe Juniper Trail. Also, you can check out the sometimes chilly, 30-foot deep Crystal Caves on the Crystal Cave Trail, or take in the breathtaking sight of the Frio River Canyon on the Old Brady Trail near the Pecan Grove Camping Area.
You'll find the White Rock Cave along the short and steep Bird Trail, and you'll be able to visit a scenic overlook on the Madrone Walkway that ends with a mini-golf course in the Oakmont Cabin Area. Whichever trail you choose, make sure to consult weather conditions and safety tips for hiking in some of the rough terrain.
Nature Photography
You won’t be disappointed when you bring your camera during an RV trip in the off-season at Garner State Park. You’ll have a better chance of getting some amazing shots of nature and wildlife without worrying about the distracting crowds found during peak season. You can take incredible pictures of the rocky backdrop with the Balcones Canyonlands, the winding banks of the Frio River, or panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country.
Garner State Park offers a unique landscape for photographers to experience with the ancient rock formations including the Edwards Plateau and Glen Rose Formation. Each geological masterpiece once housed dinosaurs, and remains of fossils are still found today.
You might also get to snap a shot of wildlife native to the area like raccoons, white-tailed deer, the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, and Rio Grande turkeys. Not to be forgotten, Garner State Park also exhibits beautiful plant life to compliment any of your landscape photography; here you'll find Ashe Junipers, Texas Madrones, and old Cyprus trees.
In-Season
Biking
Once you take your bike out of the travel trailer, you can head out onto the trail on one of the park’s idyllic biking routes. There are several trails that allow you to cycle through the enchanting scenery of the park.
The Frio Canyon Trail is an easy, flat, nearly three-mile trail that will take you through incredible sights of the canyon and surrounding mountains along the northern part of the park. The nearly one-mile Old Entrance Road is a great paved route open to cyclists where you can catch a glimpse of endangered golden-cheeked warblers.
Also, you can ride along the 0.6-mile Highway Trail starting at the Old Civilian Conservation Corps entrance from the 1930s. Or, journey along the Ashe Juniper trail with 2.5 miles of loops along the southern portion of the park. Prior to going for a ride, ensure that you are on the correct trail because some trails are hiking only, and be aware that the biking trails are also open to hikers.
Did you enjoy reading this guide? For more Texas Hill Country adventures, check out our Lost Maples State Natural Area guide or explore our Austin to Anaheim road trip guide.
Mini-Golf
If you want to enjoy a family-friendly activity during your stay at Garner State Park, you’ll love a visit to the miniature golf course. Located near the Oakmont Cabin Area and at the end of the Old Entrance Road Trail, the young and young-at-heart can enjoy endless rounds of thrilling mini-golf during the peak season. You can enjoy 18 holes as you try to be the hole-in-one champion!
Boating and Fishing
Garner State Park is a haven for RVers who love getting out on the water for some aquatic adventures. You can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and tubes to enjoy thrilling fun on the Frio River. Whether you want to paddle your canoe or go tubing, you’ll enjoy a fun and relaxing time with a crystal clear view of Texan forests and hillsides. You can also enjoy a fun-filled afternoon hooking your bait while fishing along the serene riverfront.
Swimming
The beautiful Frio River flows right through the park, making it a perfect spot for swimming in authentic nature. Once you park your RV you can buy swim gear and sunblock at the Park Store and head on over to the river to beat the summer heat. Make sure you pay attention to swift currents and the weather in order to have fun while swimming safely.
It is strongly advised by the park that all children swim with another person and with a life jacket strapped on. The currents at the park can quickly change due to the flash floods, wind, or tides, and swimmers are asked to leave the area if these changes occur or if the river turns a muddy brown color.
Summer Dancing
If you want to park your RV and head out onto the dance floor, you can bring your whole family to a summer dance at Garner State Park. You can take part in a traditional activity that's been going on since the 1940s and join locals and travelers at one of their regularly scheduled jukebox summer dances at the concession building. You can boogie all night to classic oldies and Top 40 hits in the heart of Texas.
