Texas isn’t done showing off. The Hill Country just scored a brand-new crown jewel: Bear Creek State Park. Imagine 1,720 acres of wild canyons, shady Cypress stands, and creeks so clear they look like they were sketched in watercolor. And the kicker? It’s less than a mile from Garner State Park, the granddaddy of Texas summer getaways.
Right now, Bear Creek is a dream under construction. Texas Parks & Wildlife snagged the land with $33.5 million from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund—a billion-dollar war chest voters approved in 2023. The idea is simple: give Texans more room to breathe, wander, and unplug.
Biologists are scouting the land for treasures—rare birds like the golden-cheeked warbler, tucked-away wildflowers, even hints of cultural history. The park won’t open tomorrow, but when it does, expect dark-sky camping, splash-happy creek days, and trails that make you forget you ever owned a couch.

Frio River serenity at Bear Creek

While You Wait: Adventures Next Door

Bear Creek’s future is bright, but its neighbor Garner State Park is already buzzing:

• Float the Frio River: tube, kayak, or just let the current carry you.
  
  
• Climb Old Baldy: short, steep, and worth every bead of sweat for the canyon views.
  
  
• Crystal Cave: flashlight in hand, crystals sparkling all around.
  
  
• Summer Dance Hall: jukebox blaring under the stars—a Texas rite of passage.

And when your legs are tired, grab some ice cream at the Garner concession stand or challenge your crew to a round of mini-golf.

Climb Old Baldy for sweeping views

Beyond Garner: Concan & Uvalde

The Hill Country doesn’t quit:

• Lost Maples State Natural Area: autumn turns the canyons into a fireworks show of red and gold.
  
  
• Frio Bat Flight: millions of bats taking over the evening sky—spooky, spectacular, unforgettable.
  
  
• Historic Uvalde: stroll the Briscoe-Garner Museum, tour the Aviation Museum at Garner Field, or catch a show at the Grand Opera House.
  
  
• Old-school eats: Rexall Drug & Soda Fountain has been slinging burgers and floats since 1883.
  
  
• Ox Ranch: ride in a Sherman tank, feed a giraffe, or try your hand at off-road chaos.

Concan itself has become a hot travel spot, cracking the nation’s top ten destinations for the Fourth of July. Between the Frio floats, starry skies, and wide-open landscapes, it’s no mystery why.

The Big Picture

Bear Creek State Park isn’t open yet, but when it is, it’ll give Texans another slice of Hill Country magic. Until then, you’ve got Garner, Concan, and Uvalde ready to keep your weekends full.

Pack the cooler, crank the playlist, and save some room for Bear Creek on your future adventure list.