Bertram, TX
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Free federal refuge with birding trails and Junior Rangers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Free
Things to Do 2–3 Hours from San Antonio with Kids
15 kid-friendly adventures about 2 to 3 hours from San Antonio, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (21)
- 1-2 hours (43)
- 2-3 hours (15)
- 3-4 hours (9)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown San Antonio, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 2 to 3 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in San Antonio you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 2 hr drive
about 2 hr drive
Georgetown, TX
Cedar Breaks Park
Spacious lakeside campground with swim beach near Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Georgetown, TX
Garey Park
525-acre river park with trails and splash pad in Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Georgetown, TX
Good Water Trail
26-mile lakeside trail with canyon overlooks and Hill Country terrain. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Free
about 2 hr drive
Georgetown, TX
Inner Space Cavern
Walk through an Ice Age cave 30 minutes from Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Easy going.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Georgetown, TX
San Gabriel Park
Award-winning playscape and river trail in Georgetown. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Biking
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
about 2 hr 15 min drive
Junction, TX
South Llano River State Park
Crystal-clear spring-fed river for family swimming and tubing near Junction TX - camping under pecan groves with excellent wildlife viewing
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 2 hr 15 min drive
Junction, TX
South Llano River State Park Camping
Clear spring-fed river, four bird blinds and dark skies at a quieter western Hill Country campground three hours west of Austin
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 2 hr 30 min drive
Bend, TX
Colorado Bend State Park
70-foot Gorman Falls waterfall with spring-fed swimming holes. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 4+
- ~5h
- Paid
about 2 hr 30 min drive
Bend, TX
Colorado Bend State Park Camping
Rustic no-hookup river camping down six miles of gravel road, with Gorman Falls and guided wild cave tours for older kids
- Camping
- Ages 5+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 2 hr 30 min drive
Austwell, TX
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Endangered whooping crane habitat with auto loop and observation tower. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Free
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Rockport, TX
Goose Island State Park
Coastal camping by a 1,000-year-old oak with bay fishing and whooping cranes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Rockport, TX
Rockport Yacht Club Learn to Sail
An eight-day June learn-to-sail program on Aransas Bay, small classes, with a published non-member rate. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.
- Sailing
- Ages 8+
- ~6h
- Paid
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Somerville, TX
Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
Two-unit park connected by 21-mile trail with lake swimming. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr drive
Port Aransas, TX
Mustang Island State Park
Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~5h
- Paid