It’s officially (and finally) fall! The air is about to turn crisp, pumpkins are beginning to adorn front porches and the kids are settled back into a school routine. What better time to spend a weekend away? This busy time of the year begs for a weekend trip that is a good mix of active outdoor entertainment and relaxation. There’s absolutely no better place to experience both than in scenic and quaint Boerne, Texas.
Boerne is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, just 15 miles from San Antonio. Boasting a thriving downtown area, complete with shopping, food to please most any palate, and unique art galleries, Boerne also happens to be home to 11 local parks which each highlight the natural beauty of this historic Texas burg.
Here are five Boerne parks that are not to be missed this fall:
Photo: Amanda Spencer
Looking for a quiet lake experience? Boerne’s City Lake Park is your spot. Open to only non-motorized boating, you’ll find folks swimming, fishing, kayaking and paddling their way around this lake. Need to rent a boat? You’re in luck because there are several paddle sports and boat rental companies located nearby.
2. Guadalupe River State Park
3. The Cibolo Nature Center and Herff Farm
Photo: N. Wolf
The Cibolo Nature Center has 100 acres of Texas Hill Country beauty to explore, featuring four distinct ecosystems. Enjoy the wildflowers, bees, butterflies, and birds who call The Cibolo Nature Center home. There’s a beautiful visitor center that hosts a children’s discovery center and also features large, shaded porches with rocking chairs and even hammocks for some authentic hill country R&R. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to the nearby historical Herff Farm, and see the gardens and wildlife that were the vision of the original inhabitants of the farm back in the late 1800’s. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, make sure to stop by the farmer’s market held at the farm.
4. Joshua Springs Park and Preserve
Photo: Facebook/Kendall County Parks
If you’re traveling with a beloved four-legged member of the family, they’ll undoubtedly appreciate the enclosed dog park at Joshua Springs Park and Preserve for both large and small dogs. After a visit to the dog park, be sure to plan a hike on one or more of the trails within the park – all of which are ADA compliant. With a playground for the kids, a stocked pond for fishing, and even areas where horses are allowed, there is truly something for everyone (and thing) at Joshua Springs Park and Preserve.
5. Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area
Photo: Facebook/Kendall County Partnership for Parks
If birds are your thing, then Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area is where you need to be. Featuring three bird observation blinds and six unique wildlife habitats in the 117-acre park, you’re sure to see a “lifer,” (bird watcher lingo for a bird you’ve waited a long time to see in nature) along with many others to delight you. Be sure to check out the three miles of nature trails and keep an eye out for jackrabbits and other hill country critters.
Most of the parks in Boerne make a perfect day outing, so get out, get active and then plan the rest of your day around trying an exciting restaurant in town before settling in at a charming Boerne bed and breakfast or inn. For more information on Boerne parks, lodging and dining, visit www.visitboerne.org.
