Friedrich Wilderness, Eisenhower, Medina River, Crownridge Canyon, and Stone Oak Parks are the jewels of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Natural Areas Division. Hiking, observing wildlife, and learning more about South Texas native species are among the activities encouraged in the natural areas. Admission is free at these parks. Educational informative programming is offered throughout the year at all of the parks.

Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa
Open seven days a week (except Christmas and New Year’s)
7:30 a.m. - sunset

564-6400 (for information on Friedrich, Eisenhower, Crownridge Canyon, Stone Oak or Walker Ranch Parks)
Friedrich Wilderness Park is 600-acre home for rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching. Perched on the edge if the Balcones Escarpment, Friedrich is a nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds: the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. The park offers 5.5 miles of hiking with varying degrees of difficulty.

To protect the endangered species, pets are not allowed. Rest rooms and water fountains are found at the entrance to the park. Visitors are encouraged to bring water bottles for longer hikes in warm weather. Rules include no fires, no smoking on trails, and hikers are required to stay on designated trails. Pedestrians only; roller blades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, etc. are not allowed.

Eisenhower Park
19399 Northwest Military Highway
Hours: 6 a.m. to Sunset

Nearby Eisenhower Park, south of Camp Bullis on Northwest Military Drive, offers an additional five miles of trails for hiking, jogging and nature study. Special markers, designating examples of Texas Hill Country vegetation, have recently been added along portions of selected trails. A marker guide is available at the trailhead near the public restrooms. This 320-acre park contains excellent examples of Texas Hill Country landscapes, including wooded dry creek beds and rocky canyons. Pets are allowed on leash, but please be prepared to remove any droppings your pet may leave. Barbecue and picnic facilities are available. A large event pavilion is available by reservation. Two smaller pavilions may also be reserved. (Call 207-3120 for facility reservations.) No roller blades, scooters, bicycles, etc. are allowed and hikers are required to stay on designated trails. To help preserve the health and beauty of this sensitive natural area, please do not disturb the plants, rocks or animals.

 

Wild Week!

Session I         June 15 - 19    9 a.m. – 12 noon

Session II       June 22 - 26    9 a.m. – 12 noon

Cost: $75 (limited partial scholarships available)

Friedrich Wilderness Park

21395 Milsa Road

564-6400

 Five-day hands-on ecology day camps presented by Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park and thea Parks and Recreation Department Natural Areas. The camps give children a chance to explore the workings of the natural world. Professionals and volunteers in the natural sciences facilitate multidisciplinary activities that challenge the campers to investigate animals, plants, rocks and more. The emphasis is on direct experience with nature; older campers are challenged to dig deeper into the daily topics. Limited to 25 campers ages seven – 12. Pre-registration required.

 First Saturday Interpretive Walks

Friedrich, Eisenhower, Crownridge Canyon and Walker Ranch

Reservations: 564-6400

These walks are designed to give individuals and families an introduction to the natural and cultural history of San Antonio’s natural areas. The hikes are conducted the first Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. A $2 donation is recommended.

 The 2009 dates and locations are: April 4 – Eisenhower Park; May 2 – Friedrich Wilderness Park; June 6 – Crownridge Canyon Natural Area; Aug. 1 – Eisenhower Park; Sept. 5 – Friedrich Wilderness Park; Oct. 3 – Crownridge Canyon Natural Area; Nov. 7 – Eisenhower Park; and Dec. 5 – Friedrich Wilderness Park.

 Second Saturday Programs

Natural Areas

Reservations: 564-6400

Recommendation Donation: $3 per person or $5 per family

Experience the natural world through a variety of programs on topics ranging from wildflowers to astronomy. Hikes are often part of the package. Some of the upcoming programs include:

 April 11 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Neighborhood Birds – explorations in the world of birds with Tom and Patsy Inglet. Learn to use binoculars. Friedrich Wilderness Park.

 May 9 – 9 a.m. – 12 noon. Plant Hike – PEAK training with Cyndy Nemcik, Leave No Trace instructor. Promotes environmental awareness in children.  Friedrich Wilderness Park.

 June 13- 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Meeting Snakes. Explore snakes of the San Antonio area with members of the South Texas Herpetology Association. Eisenhower Park.

 July 11 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Our fossil P.A.S.T. Clayton Nye, president of the Paleontological Association of South Texas, will present an introduction to paleontology and local fossils. Eisenhower Park.

 Aug. 8 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon – What’s bugging you? We all love those creeping and crawling bugs. Holly Camero leads our exploration into the world of the six-legged. Eisenhower Park.

 Sept. 12 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Tunas, nopales and more. Join Patty Pasztor, native plant expert, in a fun exploration of natural fibers, foods and other uses of local plants. Eisenhower Park.

 Oct. 10 – 7 – 9 p.m. Welcome to My Web – A lively investigation of spiders with a brief walk to look for them with Dr. Cary Guffey from Our Lady of the Lake University. Eisenhower Park.

 Nov. 14 – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Native American stories. Lipan Apache storyteller Emma Ortega shares her stories, including the story of what the turkeys saved. Eisenhower Park.

 Dec. 12 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Star gazing Party with the San Antonio Astronomical Society. What’s to see in the crisp, clear winter skies. Eisenhower Park.

 Wild Wednesdays

Extraordinary Experiences in Nature at Friedrich Wilderness Park, 21395 Milsa. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, and Aug. 19.  Family oriented activities targeted at children ages 7 to 11 years. $3 a class with a maximum of $6 per family per class. Call 564-6400 for more information and reservations. 

Medina River Natural Area
15890 Highway 16 South
7:30 a.m. – sunset (Closed Christmas and New Year's)
Program Reservations: 624-2575
Camping Reservations: 207-7275
Medina River Site Map (PDF)

A 511-acre Natural Areas park on the site of the old proposed Applewhite Reservoir property, this natural area opened in April 2005. It is located at 15890 Highway 16 South.

This natural area gives citizens access to a beautiful natural area that has been enhanced with six miles of trails with interpretive features representing what was once El Camino Real wagon trail for the settlers. The northside of the park includes a large covered pavilion, restrooms, trailhead, parking and a staff building. The park, which will eventually link greenbelts and trails over a 10-mile area known as City South, also features a group camping area available by reservation. This area includes parking, camping, restrooms, water service and a small covered pavilion for camping activities. For information on how to utilize the group camping area click here.

Medina River Natural Area Second Saturday Program
Medina has an active community education program that includes a Second Saturday Program in which people are invited to participate. Topics vary and may include a hike. A donation of $2 for individuals and $4 for families is recommended.

Viva Voluntarios:
Help keep Medina River Natural Area clean and a wonderful place to hike and camp. This volunteer clean-up event occurs the last Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Plant native trees, remove non-native plants, and pick up trash. Call the park for more information at 624-2575.

Stone Oak Park
20395 Stone Oak Parkway
Open seven days a week
7:30 a.m. - sunset
The first phase of this park opened in March 2006 and includes a multi-use trail system, covered shelter, interpretive signage and cave protection features. A second phase will be under construction during the summer of 2006. When completed it will include additional trails, a natural playground and outdoor classrooms.

Texas Trail Network Trail Registry

San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio Audubon Society

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Comments can be sent to kirvin@sanantonio.gov.