Government Canyon State Natural Area

Town

San Antonio

Good for

trail running, mtb, hiking

Trailhead

Park entrance and headquarters (Galm Rd); Frontcountry and Backcountry trailheads are inside the park
12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254

Trail miles

About 40

Fees & hours

Day-use fee of $6 for ages 13 and up (12 and under free); open daily, with gates 7am-10pm Friday-Monday and 7am-8pm Tuesday-Thursday; reservations recommended because the park can fill to capacity.

Know before you go

• Trails are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and runners, but bikes are prohibited in the Protected Habitat Area, on the Discovery and Overlook trails, and on the Bluff Spurs.
• Protected Habitat Area trails are open only September through February (so closed roughly March-August); all other trails are open year-round.
• Pets are limited to frontcountry trails; none on the backcountry dinosaur-tracks route.
• Trails can close for poor conditions or weather, and the park can close at capacity; check the park's social feeds or call.
• Scheduled hunt closures (permitted hunters only), as posted 2026-10-28: 10pm Nov 16 to 7am Nov 20; 10pm Nov 30 to 7am Dec 7; 10pm Jan 4 to 7am Jan 8; 10pm Jan 11 to 7am Jan 15.
• Pets on leashes of 6 ft or less in Texas state parks.

Info checked

Oct 28, 2026 from official park pages. Closures change; check before you go.

Government Canyon is a large state natural area on San Antonio's northwest edge, where the trail system crosses grassland, wooded draws and canyon country before rising to limestone ridges with overlooks. Routes run from easy loops of a few miles to longer backcountry outings. It suits trail runners and mountain bikers wanting sustained mileage, and hikers heading for the views. Some trails are for foot traffic only, and reservations are advisable on busy days.

Official park page → Official trail map → Directions