Things to Do in Bandera, Texas

Bandera City Park offers a variety of fun activities. There's picnic areas with pavilions and BBQ pits, perfect for a family get-together. Swim, relax in the sun, explore the fascinating wildlife and enjoy the beautiful view of Medina River.

Hill Country State Natural Area offers a wide range of fun things to do in the outdoors. Some of the best activities include camping , hiking and horseback riding. The hiking trails range from easy to difficult, giving you the option to choose a steeper trail or a more easygoing path. Bring your own horse for a ride through the prairie with proper stalls and water troughs provided. Hill Country State Natural Area has a number of excellent hikes that can be enjoy by all hiking skill levels. Cougar Canyon to Hermit's Trace Loop is a moderately difficult, 7.2-mile loop, with an elevation gain of 669 feet. The best thing about this trail is the wildflowers. Note that the trail may be closed at times to allow hunting. Spring Branch and Wilderness Trail is a moderately difficult, 7.4-mile loop, with and elevation gain of 908 feet. It offers great views of local wildlife. Note that the trail may be closed at times to allow hunting. Medina Loop is a moderately difficult, 4.1-mile loop with beautiful wildflowers and great views of Texas Hill Country.

Bandera has a number of great outfitters offering a variety of horseback riding packages. Rides can be short, one-or-two hour rides around town of longer events through the areas surrounding Bandera. Three excelent companies that handle horseback rides are Bandera Historical Rides, Juniper Hill Stables, and Outlaw Outfitters. Bandera Historical Rides offers horseback rides in Bandera. You enjoy a 2-hour ride around town, and you get free admission to the Frontier Times Museum. Juniper Hill Stables is located in the Hill Country State Natural Area. Rides can be from one to five hours. Riders have access to over 50 miles of trails. Outlaw Outfitters offers rides of one to four hours. You'll get to enjoy 5,400 acres of Bandera Texas Hill country. Be sure to ask about their 2-hour sunset ride, one of their most popular rides.

The Medina River is one of south-central Texas’ most iconic attractions. Here, you can enjoy kayaking, tubing, picnicking, and swimming on one of the most well-know rivers in Texas. And, the best part? Bandera Crossing is right next to Medina River.

Did we mention Bandera Crossing is a designated Wildlife Management Area? Well, it is. At Bandera Crossing, we provide a safe haven for a variety of wildlife native to this part of Texas.

Central Texas has some of the most fascinating small towns you’ll ever come across. While they all share the history and culture that makes Texas, well, Texas, each town is unique in its own way.

San Antonio is a great place to visit if you’re into history and Texan-Mexican restaurants. The city is one of the most visited cities in the United States and the most visited city in Texas.

Garner State Park is the perfect place to camp and hike. Spend the weekend swimming or canoeing in the Frio River and enjoy the stunning view of the wildlife. Garner State Park also offers equipment rentals, barbecue pits, miniature golf and so much more.

Government Canyon State Natural Area has so much to offer with more than 40 miles of trails, some of which have the only known dinosaur tracks in Bexar County. Admire the scenery on a relaxing picnic or enjoy the variety of fun activities such as hiking, geocaching, camping, and more.

Lost Maples State Natural Area is known for the beautiful autumn colors. It's the perfect place to admire nature on a relaxing hike or staying the night in a campsite which includes water and electricity. Bird watch during the day and stargaze during the night. Two of the best hikes in Lost Maples are the East Trail Loop and the West Trail Loop. Lost Maples East Trail Loop is a moderately difficult, 4.4-mile loop along the Sabinal River. It offers a nice view of a waterfall, as well as the Grotto. Lost Maples West Trail Loop is a moderately difficult, 7.0-mile loop along the Sabinal River. It runs along Can Creek and the Sabinal River, and features a lake view. This is a great trail to take when fall colors are out.

There's so much to explore at Medina Lake. While staying at the offered campsites, Medina Lake gives you the options to bike, fish, hunt, hike, and so much more. Another popular activity available is birding, you could have the chance to bird watch during spring migration or summer nesting.

Texas Hill Country is famous for its great music, and for its great musicians. Many of country music's most respected artist play this area, regularly. We've listed a few of our favorites on this page.

Old Tunnel State Park has unique activities for your enjoyment. Come and participate in Bat Emergence and attend the nightly educational presentations, watch as the bats emerge during the night out of their tunnel. Take a hike and go bird watching on the half-mile trail.

There's always something to do at Utopia City Park. Enjoy swimming, fishing or canoeing in the lake or have a picnic at your campsite. It even offers a huge dance floor and a stage with plenty of space for kids to run and play.