Thread: Medina River Natural Area

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Medina River Natural Area

Medina River Natural Area Trails

Has anyone been recently? How is it? Says camping and fishing are available.

Just looking for reviews and pictures!

Greetings all...I went to this park yesterday and it far exceeded my expectations. As noted earlier, it is probably not much of a place for camping, but for a day trip (especially if you are into hiking & photography as I am), it is wonderful. What impressed me most was the striking variety of environments. The trails above the river bluffs pass through decidedly South TX brush country habitat (mesquite, huisache & other acacias, retama, prickly pear, etc). The trails down near the river pass through extremely lush, green woodland, with towering cypress & pecan trees, some of them probably 75-90 feet in height. The river itself is quite nice, though not as clear as it is up in the Bandera / Medina area. Unfortunately, there are signs everywhere saying you can't get in the water. Not sure if that is an environmental concern or just a sad by-product of our litigious society (seems like an "at your own risk" warning would be enough). Anyway, the "Chaparral" trail is 6 miles round trip. I was a bit disappointed that this particular "trail" is concrete surfaced, but it was made that way to be accessible to people with mobility impairments, so it really is nice that they put in such a long accessible trail (most parks if they have one at all it is less than a mile). The Rio Medina trail (near the river...2 mile loop) is not paved. The park was not crowded. I almost hesitated to post on here, wanted to keep it a secret..haha. But since it is mostly undeveloped day-use park, maybe it will remain reasonably uncrowded. It is "only" 72 miles from me, which I consider pretty close for a day trip (I'm known to go all the way to piney woods or Del Rio area for a day trip), so I'm sure I will get back there soon. I walked 10 miles there yesterday...plenty of trails, and more to be extended further downstream soon, according to the maps in the park. If you like long walks with a great variety of scenery, check it out! Oh also, it's free!