GOVERNMENT CANYON,1 This state natural area offers 
visitors a wilderness experience, just steps from home 
…we have details ahead on Passport to Texas. 

This is Passport to Texas

Comprised of more than 12-thousand acres of mostly 
undeveloped land, Government Canyon SNA, outside of 
San Antonio, is not a state park.

15—Although we’re part of the Texas State Park system—we’re 
actually a natural area. So, our focus is primarily natural and 
cultural resource management. However, we do provide 
recreational opportunities here. We have about 40 miles of 
hiking and biking trails.

Superintendent Chris Holm says guests experience 
something entirely unique when they visit the site. 

15—It is a unique experience, as we’re so close to the city of 
San Antonio. But yet, when you get out here and start hiking or 
biking into what we call the backcountry area, you think you’re 
out in the great wilderness of the North or something.

Open for visitation Friday through Monday only, 
Government Canyon frequently reaches maximum site 
occupancy on weekends. 

16—Almost every weekend we’ll have a capacity closure 
because we get too many people coming out. We want people to 
experience Government Canyon. We want them to develop a 
love of the place. Stewardship. But at the same time we don’t 
want it to be destroyed [from overuse]. And, so, there’s a 
balancing act.

Tuesdays through Thursdays, site staff focus on resource 
management. There’s more info on Government Canyon 
at texasstateparks.org.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I'm Cecilia Nasti.