Government Canyon State Natural Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Open daily; hours not posted
- Entrance fee
- $6 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 25 campsites
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(210) 688-9055
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Screwworm AlertJune 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do… (more)
June 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do not move the animal. Call the Texas Animal Health Commission at (800) 550‑8242 or contact a private veterinarian. For wildlife with suspicious wounds or maggots, notify park staff or call (512) 389‑4505.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Park ClosuresThe park will be closed on the following dates: • 10 p.m. on Nov. 16 to 7 a.m. on Nov. 20 • 10 p.m. on Nov. 30 to 7 a.m. on Dec. 7 • 10 p.m. on… (more)
The park will be closed on the following dates: • 10 p.m. on Nov. 16 to 7 a.m. on Nov. 20 • 10 p.m. on Nov. 30 to 7 a.m. on Dec. 7 • 10 p.m. on Jan. 4 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 8 • 10 p.m. on Jan. 11 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 15 Only permitted hunters will be allowed on these dates. Contact the park for more information. Trails Updates Check for trail closure updates. Check back for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Bexar County, about 5 miles west of Helotes, Government Canyon State Natural Area covers about 12,344 acres.
The park supports mountain biking, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: 25 campsites across 2 camping areas, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Open daily (hours not posted) | ||
| Entrance gate | Fri–Mon | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Tue–Thu | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — | |
| Office | Not stated | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open daily.
Gate hours, Friday - Monday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit. The Protected Habitat Area trails are open annually September through February. All other trails are open year-round. Pets and domesticated animals are restricted to the front country trails. Trails may close due to poor conditions or weather.
Closure information: Check our Twitter feed, Facebook page, or call us for capacity closures and trail reports.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | $6 |
| Child 12 Years and Under | Free |
Official wording
• Adult: $6 Daily • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites with Water (Walk-in) Walk in 20-60 yards from Parking Lot D to these tent sites. This is a sensitive natural and cultural resource area. Practice Leave No Trace principles. Camping activity must occur within a well-defined campsite impact area, containing a picnic table, fire ring, and tent space. All tents must be on the tent pads. You may not tie hammocks to trees or other vegetation. An excess vehicle fee will be charged for more than two vehicles per campsite. | 23 | Water nearbyShowersPicnic tableFire ringTent padWalk in 20 - 60 yards | $18 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Group Camps (Walk-in) Walk in 20-60 yards from Parking Lot D to these group tent sites. This is a sensitive natural and cultural resource area. Practice Leave No Trace principles. Camping activity must occur within a well-defined campsite impact area, containing picnic tables, a fire ring, and tent space. All tents must remain on the tent pads. You may not tie hammocks to trees or other vegetation. An excess vehicle fee will be charged for more than four vehicles per group campsite. | 2 | Water nearbyShowersPicnic tablesFire ringTent padWalk in 20 - 60 yards | $40 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
Camping details from the park
Reserve one of 23 walk-in tent campsites. We also have two walk-in group tent camps for up to 16 people.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingBikingMountain bikingPicnickingCamping
Trails
Our trails cross gently rolling grasslands and remote, rugged canyon-lands. Explore by hiking, mountain biking, or even trail running. Some trails are only for hiking – please observe trail signs. Find trails information, including suggested hikes.
Take a walk through time on the Joe Johnston Route to the Zizelmann House, built in the 1880s. You’ll pass 104-million-year-old dinosaur tracks and a prehistoric midden (look for a sign with information on this Native American site).
For great views, hike the Far Reaches Trail to the Chula Vista and Sotol overlooks, or to the North and South Bluff Spurs overlooks.
Trails may close due to poor conditions or weather. Check our Twitter or Facebook accounts for the latest trail reports, or call the park.
Contact us to ask about our all-terrain wheelchairs, available for your use in the park.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Park or camp store
- Wi-Fi
- Group facilities
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
We have several assistive chairs available for your use in the park; email us or call to reserve a chair for your visit: (210) 688-9055:
- Grit Freedom Chair
- Motorized Trackchair
- TerrainHopper motorized chair
Discovery Trail
Discovery Trail is 1.23 miles and has a packed decomposed granite surface. It is level, with boardwalks over low areas. Benches are at intervals along the trail. Look for plant markers, watch for birds, and enjoy nature all around you! Park at the Visitor Center, and follow the sidewalk to the trailhead. This trail usually remains open even after rainfall, because of its durable surface.
Nature Playscape
Our nature playscape is fully accessible with open space, tactile surfaces, and physical challenges - fun for all children! Its durable play surface is padded for falls. Ropes, steps, climbing rocks and stumps will keep kids busy with nature play. Picnic tables and benches surround the playscape.
Read more from the park
See a 360° image of the playscape.
Picnic Area
A few picnic sites are somewhat accessible. These sites have a hard surface, extended picnic tables and raised grills. From designated parking spots, you will follow a short hard pathway to the picnic spot. An accessible restroom and our accessible nature playscape are in this area, too.
Campsites with Water
Campsites have hard surfaces, but you will have to navigate 20 to 60 yards to get to them. Campsites 1, 14, 16 and 18 are accessible via a hard-packed gravel trail and have accessible picnic tables. All sites have fire rings with grills that are not raised. Water is nearby, but not at each site.
Read more and see photos on the Campsites listings.
Gallery
The Gallery is a large screened meeting space. It has a kitchen area with water, tables, chairs, ceiling fans and lighting. Nature is all around you just beyond the screens! Park in the Visitors Center parking lot and follow the sidewalk to the Visitors Center. The Gallery is adjacent. Another sidewalk leads to accessible restrooms, and on to the Discovery Trail (also accessible).
Read more and see photos on our Group Sites page.
Group Picnic Pavilion
The Group Picnic Pavilion has a roof, picnic tables and an outdoor fireplace. More picnic tables are in the area. A sidewalk leads from the accessible parking spots to the pavilion, and from the pavilion to accessible restrooms. The Discovery Trail trailhead is nearby.
Read more and see photos on our Group Sites page.
Restrooms
All frontcountry restrooms at Government Canyon are accessible. The restroom at the Visitors Center serves the Gallery, Group Picnic Pavilion and Discovery Trail trailhead. The restroom in parking lot C has designated parking and is near the day-use area, Frontcountry trailhead, nature playscape and amphitheater. The camping area restrooms have accessible sinks and showers, as well as an accessible family restroom with shower.
Camping Area Restroom
Sidewalk to HQ Restrooms and Trail
Day-use restroom
Conditions can change quickly. Contact the park for more information and to ask about the status of particular accessible features.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 12861 Galm Rd
San Antonio, TX 78254 - Nearest town
- Helotes — about 5 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 29.5493, -98.7647
- Phone
- (210) 688-9055
- GovernmentCanyonSNA@tpwd.texas.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Entrance gate: Fri–Mon 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Tue–Thu 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Gov Canyon State Nat Area3.JPG — Public domain (released by the author), Zereshk
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology