Guadalupe River State Park is one of the most scenic state parks in the US State of Texas, situated on a short stretch of the Guadalupe River in the Comal and Kendall Counties. The State Park is located to the northwest of the city of Bulverde, approximately 64.37km north of the city of San Antonio and 128.75km southwest of the capital city of Austin. The Guadalupe River State Park covers an area of 7.85 sq. km and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In 1974, the land of the Guadalupe River State Park was acquired from private owners by the State parks department, and in 1983, the park was made open to the public.
Geography Of Guadalupe River State Park
The long Guadalupe River serves as the principal attraction of the Guadalupe River State Park. The Park features a 6.44km stretch of the crystal-clear, bald cypress tree-lined Guadalupe River that serves as a popular tourist destination and offers many recreational activities such as canoeing, swimming, fly fishing, kayaking, tubing, rafting, etc. In addition to this, the Guadalupe River State Park also offers many other recreational activities like hiking, camping, picnicking, birdwatching, etc. A 2-hour guided interpretive tour is provided for the neighboring Honey Creek State Natural Area.
About 20.92km of hiking trails in the park offer hikers, horseback riders, and bikers many hiking opportunities based on their skills and desired destinations. Some of the best hikes in the Guadalupe River State Park include the Bauer Trail, Bamberger Trail, Bald Cypress Trail, Cedar Sage and Barred Owl Loop Trail Hofheinz Trail Loop, River Overlook Trail, Painted Bunting Trail, etc. Besides this, the park’s 8.5km equestrian trail is also used for mountain biking, and the park also serves as the starting point of the Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail. There are also 85 water and electric campsites and 9 walk-in tent sites in the Guadalupe State Park. The Discovery Center is a mini-museum located at the end of the Cedar Sage Trail, where the interactive exhibits offer lessons for the youngsters on the different natural features of the Guadalupe River State Park.
Wildlife Of Guadalupe River State Park
The Guadalupe River State Park contains several plant species, including Ashe juniper, bald cypress, evergreen oak, pecan, sycamores, mesquite, etc. Some of the notable animals found in the State Park include armadillos, raccoons, skunks, white-tailed deer, etc. The American Conservancy has designated the Guadalupe River State Park and the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area as Important Bird Area. It has been recorded that both the park and the natural area are home to more than 200 avian species, including the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
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