Quick FactsOverview
About Garner State Park
Garner State Park, Texas is a 1,774-acre Texas state park on the Frio River in Uvalde County, approximately 31 miles north of Uvalde near the community of Concan. The spring-fed Frio River runs 2.9 miles through the park and maintains a temperature of approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The park is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and consistently ranks as one of the most popular state parks in Texas for overnight camping.
The land was acquired between 1934 and 1936, and the Civilian Conservation Corps built the original structures, including the dance pavilion and concession building that still stand. The park opened in 1941, named for John Nance Garner, a Uvalde native who served as Vice President from 1933 to 1941. The park expanded to its current size when 790 additional acres were added in 1976.
The Frio River is the defining feature of the park. The name Frio means cold in Spanish, and the spring-fed water lives up to its name year-round. Multiple swimming holes, rope swings, and tubing stretches are distributed along the river. For families looking for soaking pools in Texas with a full overnight camping experience in a scenic Hill Country canyon, Garner has been a multi-generational destination since the 1940s.
Location & Access
Getting to Garner State Park
Garner State Park is located at 234 RR 1050 in Concan, Texas. From San Antonio, take US-90 West to Sabinal, turn right onto FM 127 and follow it to Concan, turn right onto US-83, then right onto FM 1050 to the park entrance on Park Road 29. The drive from San Antonio takes approximately two hours. From Uvalde, take US-83 North for about 31 miles to the FM 1050 turnoff.
The park is open year-round with access hours from 8am to 10pm daily. Day use entry is $8 per person for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. The park reaches capacity regularly during peak season and turns visitors away once full. Advance reservations for day-use passes and camping are strongly recommended through the Texas State Parks reservation system. Arriving early on summer weekends is advisable for walk-in visitors.
The park is divided into Old Garner, which contains the concession area, dance pavilion, paddleboat rentals, and the deepest swimming areas near the river dam; and New Garner, which offers more secluded camping and river access. For visitors looking for hot springs near Uvalde in a developed state park setting, Garner provides the most complete Hill Country river experience in the region. Cell coverage within the park is limited and offline maps should be downloaded in advance.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Garner State Park Is Suitable For
Garner State Park suits families with children, groups, and multi-night campers who want extended river access in a managed state park setting with full facilities. The Frio River's 68-degree water, shallow wading areas, and inner tube rentals make it appropriate for a wide range of ages and swimming abilities. Equipment rentals including inner tubes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available at the Boat House near the Old Garner concession area.
The park is not wheelchair accessible to the river swimming areas. The Frio River banks are natural, rocky, and uneven, with no accessible water entry. TPWD's accessibility page confirms ADA-compliant restrooms, showers, one accessible cabin, and ADA parking, but trails are described as rugged and rocky. Visitors with limited mobility can access the visitor center, pavilion, and some campground facilities, but the primary river experience requires navigating natural terrain.
The summer jukebox dance tradition, held at the CCC-built pavilion most summer evenings since the 1940s, is a distinctive part of the Garner experience. Campsite and cabin reservations for peak summer weekends book out months in advance. Those seeking family hot springs near Uvalde with overnight lodging should plan well ahead and reserve through the Texas State Parks app or website.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Garner State Park
Garner State Park is a site where visitors should be mindful of river-specific hazards throughout their visit. There is no lifeguard on duty anywhere along the Frio River. Swimming is at the visitor's own risk at all times. River depth varies significantly, with most sections reaching 8 to 12 feet at their deepest. Visitors should assess depth before jumping or diving from any point, including rope swings.
Flash flooding is a serious and documented risk at Garner State Park. The Frio River can rise several feet in minutes following heavy rainfall upstream, even when skies above the park are clear. Visitors in the river or on low-lying banks must respond immediately to any evacuation warning. Monitoring weather in the broader watershed before and during visits is important, particularly for overnight campers sleeping near the river.
Feral hogs are present in the park, especially in camping areas. All food must be stored securely and never left unattended; coolers, food containers, and trash bags are all vulnerable. Hogs are most active at night and should not be approached. The park posts reminders about hog activity at campsite areas.
The river bottom can be slippery on algae-covered rock in lower-flow periods. Water shoes provide meaningful grip and protection. No glass containers are permitted at the river or in the park. Alcohol is not allowed. Pets are welcome on a leash but not in cabin areas. Visitors should pack out all trash and leave river access points clean for others.