The outdoor activities San Antonio offers are endless for visitors of all ages. From serene river cruises to thrilling rock climbing adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For boating enthusiasts, Canyon Lake Marinas offers a variety of marinas with boat rentals, fishing charters, and scenic cruises. You can also make your way to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, an iconic granite dome that is a hiker’s paradise, offering challenging trails with breathtaking views.
Perfect for a day of tubing or kayaking, Guadalupe River State Park provides a relaxing escape with crystal-clear waters. For pedestrian-only walkways along the San Antonio River, the River Walk offers a unique and charming experience with shops, restaurants, and boat tours. Of course, you can explore the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country at Cibolo Nature Center, which features hiking trails, wildlife exhibits, and educational programs.
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
In case you are wondering about the choice of listings in this article, here is how we come up with our recommendations.
Also, check out our posts on Backpacking Trails in Texas, Treehouses in San Antonio, Japanese Tea Garden San Antonio, and Things to Do at Night in San Antonio TX!
Outdoor Activities San Antonio
Outdoor Activities in San Antonio – Water Activities
San Antonio Outdoor Activities in Parks
Outdoor San Antonio Activities – Camping
Shopping as an Outdoor Activity in San Antonio
Outdoor Activities San Antonio – Sights to See
Outdoor Activities in San Antonio TX – Water Activities
Elmendorf Lake Park
This hidden treasure on the west side of San Antonio features a large lake that makes for a beautiful day outdoors. People may kayak in the lake, play in the jungle gym, and more. There is also a bird sanctuary where ducks can be seen swimming.
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: 3700 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207
- Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Boerne City Lake Park
This park has it all which is why it’s one of the best places to explore outdoor activities San Antonio. It’s the ideal site to spend a summer day, with a fishing pier and a boat dock. You’ll have plenty of areas to set up a picnic or lie in the sun since there’s lots of space and spots.
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 21 Upper Cibolo Creek Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
- Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Medina River
Medina River is a seven-mile-long natural environment area with pathways. This river is ideal for fishing, camping, and even a quick dip. You may even enjoy a picnic under the shade of a huge covered pavilion.
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: 15890 TX-16, San Antonio, TX 78264
- Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Landa Park
This riverfront park has a lot to offer. It’s a lovely park to visit when the weather is nice, with its 51 acres of enormous oak trees! Check out any of the three playgrounds, the miniature train, or the Comal Springs.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels, TX 78130
- Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Canyon Lake Marinas
With its gentle waters and various outdoor activities in San Antonio TX, choose from hiking to camping, renting out a boat, and even checking out the striped bass here!
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: 280 Marina, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
- Hours: Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Brackenridge Park
One of the greatest spots to fish and enjoy other San Antonio outdoor activities is Brackenridge, conveniently located near downtown. There are always events here like yoga, concerts, and Family Fishing Day, so stay updated with their socials!
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: 3700 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78209
- Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Aquatica
Visitors at Aquatica may cool down by sliding near stingrays, experiencing the adrenaline of water slides, and relaxing on beaches. This is one of the San Antonio outdoor activities, that has a heart-pounding water slide that incorporates enclosed aqualung tubes!
- Cost: $7.99 – $32.99
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
- Hours: Monday – Friday CLOSED | Saturday 10:30 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort has a 5-acre waterpark with a lazy river, golf course, pool, and hot tubs.
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Families, Friends, Couples
- Where: 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
- Hours: Varies
Pearsall Park
This is San Antonio’s largest splash pad and one of the coolest places to enjoy outdoor activities in San Antonio! Picnic tables, a new playground, a skate park, and magnificent vistas beyond the playground are all near the splash pad.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: 4838 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242
- Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 11:00 pm
Outdoor Activities in San Antonio – Parks
Mcallister Park
Not sure what outdoor activities San Antonio TX are pet-friendly? There are several hiking and bike paths in this park. It’s a dog-friendly walking track since it’s one of the less mountainous climbs. If your canine companion becomes thirsty, there is a covered dog park with water for them to drink.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 13102 Jones Maltsberger Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247
- Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Eisenhower State Park
Eisenhower is a popular choice among locals when they think about the different outdoor San Antonio activities to do. The hiking paths, which range from simple to challenging, will have you working up a sweat. If you have any breath left, there is a viewpoint at the summit where you’ll get a beautiful view.
- Cost: FREE for children (12 years old and under) | $5 per person
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 50 Park Rd 20, Denison, TX 75020
- Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Speaking of overlooks, this park in Fredericksburg has gorgeous views and cool hiking spots around. The scenery is so beautiful, you’ll be enchanted by one of the best outdoor activities San Antonio has to offer.
- Cost: FREE for children (12 years old and under) | $8 per adult
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- Hours: Daily 6:30 am – 8:00 pm
San Pedro Creek Culture Park
This creek in the middle of the city has been carefully landscaped, making it one of the most interesting outdoor San Antonio activities. You can take a stroll or see if you can hop across the stones to the other side. Local artists have created murals, tiled benches, and more just for you.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 715 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78204
- Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Camanche Lookout Park
All roads lead to… the lookout? This park has an abundance of trails, trees, an amphitheater, and a lookout from the Colonial period. You can’t go up to the top but the area has a pretty high elevation- in some spots, you can see for miles.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: 15551 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247
- Hours: 5:00 am – 7:15 pm
Hemisfair Park
One of San Antonio’s favorite public hang-out spots, this park has free workouts, children’s programming, nearby shopping, and delicious eats. Put this on your list of places to for outdoor activities San Antonio.
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Hours: Daily 5:00 am – 12:00 pm
San Antonio Outdoor Activities – Camping
Hill Country State Natural Area
In the country’s Cowboy Capital, Bandera, TX, this natural area spans over 5,000 acres featuring canyons, creeks, and plateaus. It’s also a fantastic location for equestrian riders.
- Cost: FREE for children (12 years old and younger) | $6 per adult
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: 10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003
- Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe State Park, located in Spring Branch, is ideal for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and tubing. There are also more than 13 kilometers of hiking and bike trails making it easy to do different outdoor activities in San Antonio TX.
- Cost: FREE for children (12 years old and younger) | $7 per adult
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
- Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool is a fantastic summertime getaway as well as a great fall foliage attraction. There’s lots of shade, water fun, wildflowers, and more at this park on the Sabinal River.
- Cost: FREE for children (12 years old and younger) | $6 per adult
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885
- Hours: Daily 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Outdoor Activities in San Antonio – Shopping
Southtown
This is the art capital of the city. Here, you’ll find galleries, museums, pubs, food truck parks, B&Bs, and a whole bunch of history. Be sure to check out the sidewalk chalk artists, it’s one of the outdoor San Antonio activities you can’t miss out on!
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Friends, Solo, Couples
- Where: Southtown, San Antonio, TX 78210
- Hours: Varies
The River Walk
Tourists flock to the River Walk all the time but locals know what’s up– get a ride there, then walk around! Besides getting in your steps, the people-watching, shopping, and events there are so many outdoor activities San Antonio visitors can find here.
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: San Antonio, TX 78205
- Hours: Daily 24/7
Pearl Farmers Market
Discover the vibrant Pearl Farmers Market, a local gem in San Antonio, Texas. This bustling market offers a delightful array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live music.
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Families, Friends
- Where: 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
- Hours: Monday – Friday CLOSED | Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Historic Market Square
If flea markets are your scene, San Antonio has plenty of them because they’re some of the best outdoor activities San Antonio has. The Historic Market Square alone has a ton of boutiques and contemporary shopping spots. You don’t want to miss the free events they have all year round!
- Cost: Varies
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo
- Where: 514 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207
- Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Outdoor Activities San Antonio TX – Sights to See
San Antonio Zoo
Although it may not seem so from the entrance, the Zoo is 56 acres in size and home to 750 different species! There are signs placed around the Zoo to help regular or new visitors navigate the Zoo. Strollers and wheelchairs may also use the ramps at the Zoo.
- Cost: $26.99 – $31.99
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
- Hours: Sunday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Saturday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is a 250-acre marine mammal park in the city. It also functions as an animal theme park and an oceanarium. There are roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions in the park making it one of the best outdoor activities San Antonio has to offer.
- Cost: $7.99 – $34.44
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
- Hours: Monday – Wednesday CLOSED | Thursday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm | Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Saturday 10:30 am – 11:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Cibolo Nature Center
Here, you can go birding, listen to a book reading, learn about composting, or attend a farmers market. Check out their other outdoor activities San Antonio visitors and locals can enjoy by following their socials!
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Children
- Where: 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
- Hours: Saturday – Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
San Antonio Botanical Garden
This garden is dedicated to keeping nature alive. You’ll be wowed by the cherry blossoms, ready to run through the open fields and picnic near the flowers.
- Cost: FREE for children (2 years old or younger) | $13 – $15 per child (3 years old – 13 years old) | $18 – $22 per adult
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo
- Where: 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209
- Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
There’s no better way to spend the day than learning about our culture and history. Visit the numerous historical missions and preserved buildings- you get to see more than just the Alamo with these San Antonio outdoor activities. Bring a picnic and plenty of water- you could spend the day here!
- Cost: FREE
- Best For: Families, Friends, Solo, Children
- Where: San Antonio, TX, United States
- Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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