San Antonio is a city rich in history, nature, and culture. The city’s famous riverwalk is a big draw, as are the missions and the Alamo.
You’ll also find a variety of ways to get outdoors in San Antonio, including by hiking the many trails in town. Here are some of the most popular trails in San Antonio, although your choices are numerous!
1.) Hillview Nature Trail Loop
2.) Cedar Flats Trail
3.) Bush Hill via Hillview Nature Trail
4.) San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach Trail
5.) Lytle’s Loop Trail
Hillview Nature Trail Loop
The Hillview Nature Trail Loop is a very popular path for runners and hikers, so you’ll likely encounter many people on the trail. It follows the perimeter of Eisenhower Park, so you’ll get a good overview of the area. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen as several areas of the hike are quite sunny without tree cover. There are some shady spots to cool you off as well, however. Also, be sure to climb the viewing tower for great views.
Address: 19399 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78257
Mileage: 2.9 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This trail is packed dirt, with larger rocks in some parts. It is not accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The trail has a combination of sunny and shady terrain, and you’ll want sunscreen and sun protection while on this hike.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail that can be hiked by kids. There is some elevation gain, and you may want a backpack to carry young children if they get tired.
Open year-round: Yes
Miles from downtown San Antonio: 22 miles from downtown San Antonio
Pet-friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? Yes, this trail is easy to walk with kids. It does have some uphill, but they can take things slowly. They will enjoy the viewing tower that looks out over the landscape.
Cedar Flats Trail
The Cedar Flats Trail is an easy, popular trail that can be hiked in less than an hour. It does have a steady incline from the start to the lookout tower. You’ll find many different plants, wildflowers, and trees along the hike and there are benches for a rest stop along the way as well.
Address: 19399 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78257
Mileage: 2 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This is an asphalt trail that is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. There are some steeper sections that may require assistance.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail that can be hiked by kids as well as adults.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown San Antonio: 22 miles from downtown San Antonio
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? Yes, this is a kid-friendly trail. There are benches where they can rest on the hike, and the distance makes this manageable for most kids.
Bush Hill via Hillview Nature Trail
The Bush Hill via Hillview Nature Trail is a popular San Antonio path for running and hiking. It leads to Bush Hill, where you’ll find nice views of the surrounding area. This is a great trail for the entire family!
Address: 19399 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78257
Mileage: 2 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This is a crushed stone path that has roots and other small obstacles on parts of the trail. It isn’t suited for strollers or wheelchairs.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail and can be hiked by kids. There is a slight elevation gain, and there is a mix of sun and shade along the trail.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown San Antonio: 22 miles from downtown San Antonio
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? This trail is kid-friendly. It connects with many other trails at Eisenhower Park. The end of the trail, at Bush Hill, has a nice lookout over the area.
San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach Trail
The San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach Trail is one of the better-known areas of San Antonio. It wanders by the river, the plaza, the Alamo, many of the city’s parks, some of the missions, and other fascinating San Antonio landmarks. You can walk the entire trail, or stroll and take time to stop at shops or restaurants along the way.
Address: 331 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210
Mileage: 5.7 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This trail is a paved sidewalk through parts of downtown San Antonio. It is possible for strollers and wheelchairs to use this trail.
Difficulty: This is considered an easy trail. There is 141 feet of elevation gain over the course of the almost-six miles of trail. You can also adjust the mileage and turn back early to make this a shorter, out-and-back hike.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown San Antonio: 2.8 miles from downtown San Antonio
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail. They are allowed off-leash in some areas along the trail.
Kid-friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail that follows the San Antonio River. You’ll pass several landmarks, cafes, and other fun spots along the path.
Lytle’s Loop Trail
The Lytle’s Loop Trail is a popular spot for birdwatching, mountain biking, and hiking so there’s a good chance you’ll see other people on the trail while you’re hiking. This is a great family trail, and if you have younger kids who can’t hike the entire path, you can always turn back at any point and shorten your mileage. Look for local wildlife and native flowers along the path.
Address: 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254
Mileage: 4.4 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This trail is packed dirt and may be hard for strollers and wheelchairs to navigate. There are several exposed areas that can be hot during summer.
Difficulty: This is considered an easy trail, although it is more than 4 miles long. There is a slight elevation gain as well.
Open year-round? Yes, but best used from February through October.
Miles from downtown San Antonio: 26.5 miles from downtown San Antonio
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail. Kids may spot wildlife along the trail, along with wildflowers and plants. While there is a per-person fee for adults to use this Natural Area, kids 12 and under are free.
San Antonio Trails
Several of these San Antonio Trails are at Eisenhower Park, which provides lots of beautiful, outdoor space to explore. And, of course, you can’t have a trip to San Antonio without wandering the River Walk Trail through downtown, where you can see several of the city’s missions.
RV Camping in San Antonio
RV camping is a great way be near San Antonio’s open spaces and hiking trails! There are several RV campgrounds in San Antonio, and state parks like Blanco State Park are just over an hour away. You’ll find lots of hiking trails near San Antonio campgrounds and parks, as well as places to picnic, cycle, horseback ride, and more.
RV Rentals in San Antonio
There are lots of RVshare RV rentals in San Antonio, so you can choose one that fits your plans and your group. If you want to head into the wilds of Texas near San Antonio, you may want a smaller Class B campervan or pop-up trailer that isn’t hard to maneuver. If you want lots of room, or space to bring kayaks, ATVs, or other toys, you may want a toy hauler trailer or a Class A motorhome. There’s something to suit you, whatever you desire!
Other Things To Do in San Antonio
There are lots of other things to do in San Antonio. Palmetto State Park is about an hour away, and you can paddle or fish the San Marcos River, or admire the fascinating palmetto trees in the park. You can learn some area history at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park or the Alamo. When you get hungry, stop in at Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine for a tasty meal.
Happy (hiking) trails to you!
