I had not been to Garner State Park since I was in middle school, but have always had fond memories of it. So when the opportunity for a quick trip presented itself, I had to jump on it. This post isn’t exactly a travel guide like my other travel posts, but rather a small glimpse into what camping (or glamping, in the case of yours truly) can be like in just a few short days. As a newbie glamper, I am certainly no expert. But if you’re looking for a restful, beautiful, and socially distanced little getaway in Texas, then Garner State Park is a great option. In this post I’m sharing what is available to do there and my packing list! There are also some pretty cute puppy pics, so keep reading!

For those not familiar with our huge state, Garner State Park is located in Concan, Texas about a couple hours west of San Antonio. It is quite large and very well maintained, with over 1,700 acres of gorgeous Hill Country terrain. 

What To Do At Garner State Park

You can do as much or as little as you’d like. I recommend hiking some and then swimming (weather permitting) in the Frio River. It’s pretty cold year round but feels so good on a hot day. I visited the last week of September, and while we enjoyed a little cool front of mornings and evenings in the 50s, it still got pretty warm during the day. The Frio is one of the clearest and cleanest natural bodies of water I’ve ever seen in the U.S. and there are plenty of places in the park to wade in. Lola loved swimming in it, too.

There are cabins, campsites, and screen shelters available for rent. I joined my parents in their RV, which is my preferred way to camp. I’ve done tent camping once and let’s just say that is so not for me. I enjoy the comforts of home a trailer provides. It’s fun to string up some lights for a little ambience and get cozy under a blanket by the fire. I like four walls around me when I sleep.

Glamping is an easy way to enjoy a vacation while still practicing social distancing. We had so much room in our campsite to spread out, and even though we saw and spoke to other people in the park, it was easy to maintain our distance. Most people I saw were wearing masks in public areas like restrooms and the gift shop.

Bring your dog to Garner State Park and take them on the hiking trails with you. I love that this is an option! I saw so many dogs as well as responsible dog ownership. Bella can’t really do long hikes anymore so I brought Lola with me and she loved it! I’ve never really seen her quite so much in her element as she was hiking with me. And at night, she would curl up in my lap by the fire. To say I felt “all the feels” is an understatement. Just remember to bring enough water for your fur babies when you’re hiking and give them enough rest along the way. We hiked in the morning and late afternoon to avoid high temperatures as well.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was going to the Frio by way of this rocky beach. We ended up calling it “Pebble Beach” simply because the shoreline is covered by smooth white rocks. We brought towels and chairs and enjoyed a late afternoon swim. Lola loved warming herself on the rocks and napping in the sun. 

My Packing List For Garner State Park

For hiking and swimming:

• Swell bottles – I like that they keep water cool. I brought enough bottles for myself and Lola.
• Day Pack – A small backpack was enough to carry water, a first aid kit, my phone, etc.
• Athletic clothes – I hiked in leggings and tennis shoes. For some of the more strenuous hikes, I recommend these hiking boots for additional support.
• Sunscreen – In addition to wearing a hat, I applied my favorite Supergoop! Sunscreen. They also make a lip balm that I wish I had had. My lips got a little chapped from all the wind.
• Water shoes – They’re not the most flattering but they will help keep you from slipping and falling on rocks in the water
• Swimsuit & sandals/flip-flops

For My Dog Lola:

• Collapsible bowls for food and water – I just bought these bowls from Amazon and love them! They come in a two pack and are large and sturdy. They also come with a carabiner to clip to leashes or bags.
• Tie-Out Cable – This is handy to have at the campsite. It keeps Lola safe with the freedom to move about. 
• Hands-Free Dog Leash – This was by far the best thing to have for hiking. It allowed me to balance myself better and Lola didn’t feel any difference from her regular leash.
• Large towel for drying off after swimming
• Dog blanket for around the fire or in the trailer
• Food and treats

For The Campsite & RV:

• Camp chairs – I bought this set of two from Walmart for only $20
• Corn Hole (Baggo) – A fun campsite game
• String Lights – As I mentioned, a little ambience is nice in your campsite. You’ll see a lot of other campers do this. I brought a simple string of white Christmas lights. These twinkle star lights are pretty cute!
• Bluetooth speaker (if your RV doesn’t have an exterior sound system)
• Extra batteries for lights
• Travel size toiletries
• Yeti tumbler – I love having my coffee in the morning outside.
• Travel sized cooler – I love this one for its size and the colors are really cute!
• S’mores skewers for the fire pit

And as always, don’t forget your mask!

We had such a wonderful time that we have already planned a return trip later this year! Have you been to Garner State Park?

xo – Erin

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