San Antonio has seven state parks within 50 miles, and three of the closest each go a different way. Government Canyon, northwest, is 13,000 acres of wilderness protecting the city’s drinking water, with dinosaur tracks 104 million years old. Guadalupe River, north toward Spring Branch, has four miles of river frontage for swimming, tubing and paddling. Landmark Inn, west in Castroville, tells the story of a town planned in 1844 on the Medina River. This is the outdoor half of the day. The eating half is at the end: one table on the way back from each park.
We run State Park Near Me, a directory of every state park in the country, and we are a guest here. Top of San Antonio asked for the parks. They supplied the restaurants.
The day, in order
Check the calendar first, because both state parks close for permitted hunts in late November, on different dates. Both also say they often reach capacity, so reserve a day pass online for weekends. Government Canyon’s gates open at 7 a.m. and its back-country Protected Habitat Area trails are open from September through February, which makes fall the season to go. A burn ban is in force there, so no wood or charcoal fires. Guadalupe River asks visitors to bring their own drinking water to help conserve the park’s supply. Landmark Inn is the easy half day, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Government Canyon
On the north side of the city sits a 13,000-acre wilderness that protects San Antonio’s drinking water, with more than 40 miles of trails across grasslands, canyons and limestone ridges. The Joe Johnston Route leads to the 1880s Zizelmann House, past dinosaur tracks about 104 million years old and a prehistoric midden; pets are not allowed on that trail. The 1.23-mile Discovery Trail is accessible and suits families, but it closes Saturday, October 24, for maintenance. Entry is $6 for adults. Gates are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday and to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The park is closed for hunts from 10 p.m. November 16 to 7 a.m. November 20, and from November 30 to December 7.
Guadalupe River
Four miles of the Guadalupe River run through the park, and most people come to swim, fish, tube and canoe. Step away from the water for the River Overlook Trail, or the Bauer Unit’s moderate to challenging trails. A new five-mile paddling trail starts at the park when water levels allow. Next door, Honey Creek State Natural Area is visited only on guided 2.5-hour hikes on Saturday mornings, by registration, with no pets. Entry is $7 for adults, and the gate is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bring your own drinking water, as the park asks. The park closes from 8 p.m. November 20 to noon November 24 for a permitted hunt.
Landmark Inn
Castroville was planned in 1844 as an exurb of San Antonio, a day’s wagon ride west, and the Texas Historical Commission says it is now about 25 minutes by car. It calls itself the Little Alsace of Texas. Landmark Inn sits on the banks of the Medina River and tells a story of migration, industry and preservation, with public tours, living history programs and special events. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, veterans, teachers and first responders, $2 for ages 6 to 17, and $8 for a family of two adults and one child. The site reported its phones and internet down on October 21, so check its web page before you rely on calling.
The full list
Directions, maps and the official site for each of these, plus the other four state parks within 50 miles, are on our side. The state parks near San Antonio page on State Park Near Me lists all seven, closest first, with a page for every park.
Where to eat after
The parks sit in three directions, so here is one table on the way back from each, from three Top of San Antonio lists: brunch, fine dining and Indian. The scores are theirs, not ours.
Comfort Cafe
Insider Score8.5
Brunch · Bandera Road
After a morning at Government Canyon, on Bandera Road on the way back in. A weekend brunch with a community mission regulars talk about; the chicken and waffles and blueberry pancakes are the anchors.
Chama Gaúcha
Insider Score8.5
Brazilian steakhouse · Sonterra
After Guadalupe River, at Sonterra on the US 281 drive back south. The full rodízio, with gaucho servers working the room; the picanha comes properly rested and sliced at the table.
Himalayan Kitchen
Insider Score8.0
Indian and Himalayan · Loop 1604 West
After Landmark Inn, on Loop 1604 as you come back in from Castroville. Chicken momos, butter chicken and lamb biryani are the orders the list names.
Scores are Top of San Antonio Insider Scores. Restaurant photographs from Yelp.
Sources. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department pages and alerts for Government Canyon State Natural Area and Guadalupe River State Park, and the Texas Historical Commission page for Landmark Inn State Historic Site, checked October 21, 2026. Distances are straight-line from the San Antonio town center, from State Park Near Me. Restaurant scores and notes from the Top of San Antonio brunch, fine dining and Indian guides, October 2026. Top photo: the Guadalupe River at Guadalupe River State Park by Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; park photo credits are under each photo.
State Park Near Me writes for State Park Near Me. State Park Near Me lists every state park, historic site, beach and recreation area in the United States, with directions and the nearest other parks. Every park page links to the park's official site. This piece was written for Top of San Antonio.