By Max McNabb
Concan is a small town in northern Uvalde County. Located in the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River and State Highway 127, Concan has been a popular tourist getaway since the 1970s. The town owes its name to a Mexican card game, “coon can,” a forerunner of Gin Rummy. Concan was settled in the 1840s and first began drawing tourists in the 1920s, when the town’s population was only around 20. Its reputation as the perfect summer vacation spot has grown in the decades since.
Garner State Park is located seven miles north of Concan on U.S. Highway 83. The park along the Frio was dedicated in April, 1941 and now stretches 1,420 acres. It’s celebrated for its many opportunities for family recreation. Over 200 species of birds frequent the park. In the spring, many birdwatchers flock to Concan. The park also contains hiking trails, picnic facilities, and camp sites.
Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Garner State Park
Concan boasts a Roy Bechtol designed 18-hole golf course. Concan Country Club, also known as the Golf Club at Concan, is open to the public. Enjoy the exceptional Hill Country scenery while you play the course amid rolling hills.
Dude ranches offer horseback riding for even more family fun and adventure.
If you’re more at home in the water, summer is the perfect time to experience the clear current of the Frio. Kayak and tube rentals are available. Some services offer to bring you up the river to a designated drop off site, then pick you up downriver after you’ve had your fun. Whether you enjoy fishing swimming, or snorkeling, the Frio has something to offer everyone. Dive the deep holes, their water so clear you can see the bottoms.
Photo: Neal’s Lodges on Facebook
The Rio Frio Fest is an annual music extravaganza. The festival features numerous Texas musicians each year.
The rustic cabins of Neal’s Lodges are a popular place to spend the night. Neal’s Dining Hall serves up tasty chicken fried steaks and delicious desserts like brownie a la mode. You can enjoy a wonderful meal with a view overlooking the Frio. Texas Country Reporter even featured the restaurant in a 2012 episode.
Photo: Neal’s Lodges on Facebook
If you’re planning a getaway during the colder months, Concan in the fall and winter offers many possibilities for hunting. Deer, wild turkey, and dove can be found in the rugged hills.
From March through October, experience the majestic sunset flights of 17 million Mexican free-tailed bats from a cave near Concan. The bats emerge to begin their nightly hunts at sunset. The cave is located on FM 2690, only four and a half miles from US 83 and Texas 127. For guided tours or to place reservations, please call 830-966-2320.
