Thread: Garner & South Llano State Parks questions/info request

Welcome,
You may get more advise than you ever thought but always helpful. My children were summer-raised on the Frio and in or around Garner. We have always loved the Frio. We have gone to New Braunfels in the past and even a couple of times when our kids were young but the Guadalupe was never our cup of tea. It can be a family place but also, it can really be too rowdy for young families. The Frio always seemed to be a calmer river and there is so many places to stop and play while you float (or walk in drier times). The Frio is not as wide (in my opinion) and I always thought the kids had a better shot at getting to shore if they had to. There are lots of places to rent tubes, in the park and at other locations around the river. Even a couple of shuttles unless things change this year. Just be mindful, respect the owners wishes and stay in the river. Don't trespass. My "kids" are now adults with their own kids and they both return every year for at least one visit a year and sometimes more. We will all be on the river from June 14 thru the 18th and I am looking forward to watching my grandkids enjoy it as much as my kids did when they were little. They have already started talking about the trip. Just heard from our friends on the Frio, they got less than a half inch of rain in Leakey whereas we got almost seven inches on Saturday.

Sandy

Welcome to the site.

Garner has sites within walking distance of the river. Most of the river is shallow enough for your kids to stand up. You can see the bottom almost everywhere ( unless it's a very deep hole). Summer is a bit crowded there but you've got to try it at least once.

SLR offers tube rentals at the office, $6 a day. There are different sizes available. You can rent it for the weekend and keep it at your site. There is an air hose at the office for filling up your own personal tubes/floats/bikes and that's free. We've gotten tubes before but end up floating a little ways, then just swimming. The river is a little faster than Frio, and just as clear. The river is a 5 minute drive from the campground ( or a 15 minute walk). I'd suggest driving, a cooler and bags of stuff get heavy.

We just were there this past Thursday night on our way back from Colorado. There are 2 distinct sections of the park. The high, scrub desert with Argarita, Mesquite, All thorns, prickly pear, and an occasional live oak, will be hot for hiking. The other part has 100 year old pecans, red oaks, live oaks, with tall bushes. Yes the dogs can swim but they still want them on a leash. I've seen people tube with their dogs. There are 3 areas to swim/get in and out. The most popular is the river crossing. The water tends to be the swiftest there. The second is the "day use area" which you get to by going to the HQ, then exit their driveway, straight across the park road, an down a shady, windy 1/2 mile drive. There is shallow slow water, and deeper swifter water. On the other side of the rapids, the water is colder because there are springs underground in that part of the river. This park is a slower pace from Garner. You should really visit both while your out this way. Everyone has their favorite.

SLRSP slideshow

Great post CM,loved the pics.Looked like a good time for everyone.Water looked sooooo good.

srds
Have Fun