Government Canyon State Natural Area

This park has active alerts

Events

Check our Holiday Schedule page to learn about when you can visit.

August 2025

Aug 16
9:00a
End Date

The Wonder of Texas' Native Plants

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a plant walk to discover the diverse native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs of Bexar County.

September 2025

Sep 6
8:00a
End Date

Intro to Hiking for Women

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Want to spend more time in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, but unsure how to begin? Hiking is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the outdoors and provides a great source of relaxation and physical fitness.
Sep 6
9:30a
End Date

Junior Ranger Academy

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Explore the trails at Government Canyon with a ranger and earn your Junior Ranger badge.
Sep 13
9:00a
End Date

Adaptation Artistry

Government Canyon State Natural Area
How do spotted fur, big ears, long tails, and other special features help animals survive in a challenging environment? Stop by to learn more at a touch table and craft station. All are welcome, but this activity is timed to coincide with Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.
Sep 20
9:00a
End Date

Name That Tune: Birdsong Edition

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Most avid birders eventually add sound identification to the tool set they use in identifying birds. But bird songs convey more information than just the identity of the singer.
Sep 27
8:30a
End Date

CANCELED-Birding for Beginners

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Was that a kinglet, or a kingbird? Learn how you can add birding to your outdoor skills set.
Sep 27
8:30a
End Date

Veteran Suicide Awareness Walk/Ruck

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Join us for a walk in honor of those we have lost to suicide and in support of those still struggling to find a way to live after their service.

October 2025

Oct 4
8:30a
End Date

Grit and Grace: Women's History Hike in Memory of Kyle Cunningham

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month. Let's kick off the celebration with a hike honoring the women whose efforts led to this land's preservation. We will be hiking this time in memory of one of Government Canyon's founding mothers, Kyle Cunningham, who passed away in May 2025.
Oct 4
9:00a
End Date

Connect to the Canyon

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month, and we've scheduled a series of activities to celebrate! This weekend, we're using art to connect with our natural and cultural history.
Oct 4
2:00p
End Date

Colors of the Canyon

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month, and we've scheduled a series of activities to celebrate! This weekend, we're using art to connect with our natural and cultural history. Stop by to create beautiful artwork that captures the colors of Government Canyon.
Oct 11
8:00a
End Date

Trek to the Dino Tracks

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month, and we've scheduled a series of activities to celebrate! This weekend, we're focused on our ANCIENT history. Take a 5-mile guided hike to see the dinosaur tracks at Government Canyon.
Oct 11
9:00a
End Date

Trek to the Dino Tracks

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month, and we've scheduled a series of activities to celebrate! This weekend, we're focused on our ANCIENT history. Take a 5-mile guided hike to see the dinosaur tracks at Government Canyon.
Oct 18
9:00a
End Date

Conservation Community Fair

Government Canyon State Natural Area
This October is Government Canyon's 20th Anniversary month, and we've invited all our friends to celebrate!
Oct 19
9:00a
End Date

The Wonder of Texas' Native Plants

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a plant walk to discover the diverse native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs of Bexar County.
Oct 25
6:00p
End Date

Wildlife Trick or Treat

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a short, wooded hike to visit a series of trail stations where you'll learn about "spooky" wildlife including scorpions, bats, spiders and more. Bring your trick-or-treat gear!
Oct 25
6:15p
End Date

Sounds of the Night

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sssshhhh...did you hear that? What was that noise?

November 2025

Nov 1
2:00p
End Date

Nature's Gifts

Government Canyon State Natural Area
The diverse native plants of south-central Texas have always offered food, medicine, fiber, and other gifts to people who know how to use them.
Nov 8
8:00a
End Date

Veterans Day Hike

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Come out to Government Canyon State Natural Area and celebrate our military members with a Veterans Day Hike!
Nov 22
10:00a
End Date

Make Your Own Yucca Fiber Twine

Government Canyon State Natural Area
For thousands of years, humans have used the fibers within yucca leaves to create cordage for a variety of uses. Stop by and try it yourself!
Nov 28
6:00p
End Date

Night Hike

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sunset can transform a familiar trail into a new environment with sights and sounds not experienced during daylight.
Nov 29
10:00a
End Date

Make Your Own Yucca Fiber Twine

Government Canyon State Natural Area
For thousands of years, humans have used the fibers within yucca leaves to create cordage for a variety of uses. Stop by and try it yourself!

December 2025

Dec 6
8:00a
End Date

Explore the Canyon

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Join dedicated volunteers for an informative and FUN hike at Government Canyon SNA
Dec 6
10:00a
End Date

Winter Holiday Traditions

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way by hand-crafting items families might have been made on the historic ranches that became Government Canyon.
Dec 6
7:00p
End Date

Christmas Campfire Story and S'mores

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, then make s'mores over our campfire.
Dec 13
10:00a
End Date

Reading Ranger: Dino Story and Craft

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, followed by a craft. We'll bring the hot cocoa.
Dec 20
8:00a
End Date

Winter Bird Walk

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Search for vesper sparrows, loggerhead shrikes, spotted towhees, and other winter residents in the varied habitats along Lytle's Loop.
Dec 20
9:00a
End Date

The Wonder of Texas' Native Plants

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a plant walk to discover the diverse native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs of Bexar County.
Dec 26
10:00a
End Date

Junior Ranger Academy

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Explore the trails at Government Canyon with a ranger and earn your Junior Ranger badge.
Dec 27
9:00a
End Date

Trek to the Dino Tracks

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a 5-mile guided hike to see the dinosaur tracks at Government Canyon.

January 2026

Jan 3
6:00p
End Date

Full Moon Hike

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Join us for a short hike in the Frontcountry under the silvery light of the moon.