A family ranch and Old West town where kids can pan for gold, take pony rides, and explore an authentic-looking frontier village. The ranch houses rescued exotic animals that kids can meet up close during guided tours. Special event weekends add themed activities but the regular visit is engaging enough on its own. Located in the scenic Hill Country between San Antonio and Boerne.
A world-renowned bouldering destination with thousands of rock climbing problems on massive syenite rock formations that also contain over 3,000 ancient pictographs. Access is limited to protect the rock art which means reservations are required but the experience feels exclusive and special. Guided tours of the pictograph areas teach kids about the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Even non-climbers enjoy scrambling through the natural rock basins called huecos.
Home to some of the oldest known pictographs in North America in the Fate Bell Shelter which is accessible only by guided tour. Kids who are into ancient history and archaeology will be absolutely captivated seeing 4,000-year-old rock paintings in their original setting deep in a limestone canyon. The canyon rim trail offers dramatic views of the Rio Grande and Pecos River confluence. This is a remote park that rewards families willing to make the drive.