Crownridge Canyon Natural Area might be one of San Antonio’s best-kept secrets. The day my husband and I were there, we had all 207 acres to ourselves, save for one or two other visitors.
Located at 7222 Luskey Blvd. off of Camp Bullis Road, the natural area was purchased by the City of San Antonio in 2001 to help protect the Edwards Aquifer, the main source of water for this region. The natural area opened in March 2006 to provide a hands-on laboratory for visitors to learn about water conservation and to experience the natural environment. A tile mural by Oscar Alvarado, an artist who has many works along the San Antonio River Walk, illustrates the importance of rain in this age of drought.
The 1.3-mile Red Oak Canyon Trail is ADA Level 1 certified. The paved trail makes for easy walking. The .7-mile Bear Grass Trail is slightly challenging but worth the effort. Tree branches somewhat screen the surrounding McMansions, reminding visitors why purchase of the acreage for public use was a brilliant move by city leaders.
The natural area is open seven days a week, except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, from 7:30 a.m. until sunset. Entrance is free, as is the parking. A covered pavilion and benches scattered along the trails provide a perfect picnic opportunity. Bring along a pair of birdnoculars to see if you can spy the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler from March until July. If you aren’t able to see one, maybe you’ll be able to hear one!
Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!
Great post, Denise. Sounds like a place that I’d like to visit. 🙂
Bob, You would love Crownridge, and Friedrich, and Mitchell Lake, and… Isn’t it PAST time that you and your lovely bride visited San Antonio? 🙂 Cheers, Denise
Love this secret place but it won’t be for long! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Adios,
Tu amiga Sarita
Sarita, We need to go for a walk at Crownridge. Say when! Besos, Denise
One of my favorite parks in San Antonio, Denise. I’m so glad you profiled it.
Susan, I’m just so happy to have discovered it. What a jewel! Cheers, Denise
What an beautiful and pleasant little park. We visited in May 7 2020 for the first time after seeing it for a number of years while driving by. My wife Stephanie, our son Will and I had a very enjoyable afternoon exploring this scenic Hill Country park.
Mike, San Antonio is blessed with wonderful green spaces! I’m so thankful that our city and county leaders have prioritized them. Thanks for reading/commenting! Cheers, Denise