Government Canyon

Government Canyon SNA https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/government-canyon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Canyon_State_Natural_Area Government Canyon State Natural Area preserves rugged hills and canyons typical of the Texas Hill Country. The reserve is located in northwestern Bexar County, and protects a large, relatively pristine tract of Hill Country terrain, numerous and diverse species of plants & wildlife, the upper Culebra Creek/Leon Creek watershed, and a critical aquifer recharge zone for the San Antonio Water System. The park is open to the public 4 days (Fri. – Mon.) each week, weather permitting, and offers 40 miles (64 km) of hiking/biking trails, with over 500 feet (150 m) of elevation change found within the reserve's boundaries.

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Government Canyon @GovtCanyon /governmentcanyonstatenaturalarea State Natural Area nR out e TexasStateParks.org/App Gates are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The Visitor Center/SNA Store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance fee is required. Advance reservations recommended. Amphitheater, Pavilion and Gallery may be reserved for group events. Walk-in tent camping available by reservation on Friday and Saturday nights. Quiet hours begin at 10:00 p.m. Fires permitted in designated fire rings and grills only. Public consumption or display of alcohol is prohibited. Sendero Balcones rs pu State Parks Store BACKCOUNTRY Discovery Trail Gallery Information il Recharge Tra Volunteer/ Urban Wildlife Office C on any SEE INSET s ard Edwquifer A arge h RecZone re Go LOT B Cre HikingTrail FRONTCOUNTRY ek Interpretive Trail Biking Trail Picnic Area va Sa Group Picnic Pavilion Amphitheater ah nn i. i. oad 74 m m Loo p rvic Sha en Rd field Cule bra Rd T-shirts, caps and one-of-a-kind gift items are available at the Texas State Parks Store located in our natural area visitor center. to Frontcountry TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas.gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD through Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. © 2024 TPWD PWD MP P4505-165C (2/24) Texas State Parks Store This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ eR d Inland Fisheries Office No biking Natural Area Entrance To F GA M LM OA D 471 9 Se Rd Rd Ga lm PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org Intermittent Creek (subject to flooding) No pets 15 RO 60 For after hours problems or emergencies, contact the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207-7273, or dial 9-1-1. AD 12861 Galm Road San Antonio, Texas 78254 (210) 688-9055 MR 5 13 N To Cu le (FM bra R 471 d. GA ) L 6 1604 Ga lm 11 Maintenance Lytle ’s 14 1560 G12 Parking – 4. 12 Serv 2. ice R – d 10 8 Camp Hosts 4 oa 3 #2 R #1 op ea Ar 1 al 2 d aR er nd Ba GCSNA LOT D 7 211 G15 16 18 Nature Playscape Lo ur 16 25 17 19 at 22 to Backcountry N 20 21 23 24 Shower Trailhead v’ t Ca ny on Restrooms Wheelchair Accessible ek LOT A Firewood Primitive Sites (Walk-in) LOT C Stay safe. Know before you go. Plan ahead and be prepared: • Let others know your plans. If alone, leave details visible from your vehicle. • Stay on designated trails. Protect yourself, wildlife, and vegetation. • Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear a hat and take plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. • People average two miles per hour while hiking. Take at least one full quart of water per hour of activity. Far Reaches Trail C rel Lau • • • • • • • • • B #BetterOutside Visitor Center lu General Information: S ff #TexasStateParks LEGEND NO PETS allowed in the Backcountry Joe Johnsto As a state natural area, Government Canyon protects the natural environment as its principal mission. Please help us ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit today and help us protect this special place for generations to come. TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia (512) 389-8900 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE GOVERNMENT CANYON S TAT E N ATU R A L A REA IT’S ALL ABOUT WATER AT GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL AREA. AS A KARST PRESERVE, WE’RE HELPING PROTECT THE QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER FOR CENTRAL TEXAS. AS A STATE As a State Natural Area, our primary mission at Government Canyon is protection of our natural and cultural resources, including the Recharge Zone and accompanying karst landscape, wildlife habitat, native plants, sensitive archeological areas, ancient dinosaur tracks, and more. We encourage you to get to know our site. Attend an interpretive program, go on one of our many hikes, join our family of volunteers or simply stop a staff member and have a chat! You’ll gain a greater appreciation of your natural area and you may even want to get involved in some of the ways we’re working to make a difference for all Texans at Government Canyon. NATURAL AREA, OUR MISSION IS PRESERVING THIS KARST ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS MANY OTHER NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES FOUND HERE, Government Canyon State Natural Area 12861 Galm Road, San Antonio, Texas 78254 (210) 688-9055 www.tpwd.texas.gov/governmentcanyon/ INCLUDING ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT, DINOSAUR TRACKS, AND MANY HISTORIC SITES. © 2019 TPWD. PWD BR P4505-0165A (7/19) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. G O V E R N M E N T C A N Y O N S T A T E N A T U R A L A R E A IT’S ALL ABOUT WATER Water has shaped the stories of this landscape from the beginning. Around 110 million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period, water brought dinosaurs here. Two kinds of ancient giants left their tracks along what was a beach, remnants of the Gulf of Mexico’s early reaches. Today, you can take a strenuous hike to a creek bed to see the tracks of theropods, carnivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs, and the much-larger sauropods, who walked on four column-like legs. Karst features of the Recharge Zone do not filter the water, making the aquifer vulnerable to pollution and contamination. WHAT IS KARST? In San Antonio, most of our fresh water comes from only one source: the Edwards Aquifer. Rain recharges this aquifer when it falls on a karst landscape. “Karst” describes a landscape where rainwater dissolves a type of limestone, forming connected cavities. These passageways allow for the movement and subterranean storage of that same rainwater. Karst helps rainwater find its way underground. The Edwards Aquifer has three zones: the Contributing, Recharge, and Artesian zones. The Contributing Zone catches rain falling on the canyons and plateaus and moves it downhill to the Recharge Zone. There, karst features like cracks and caves swallow vast amounts of water, allowing for rapid recharge of the aquifer. Underground water flows to the Artesian Zone through a series of connected spaces, ranging from tiny pores to large caverns. Finally, the rainwater discharges as a natural spring, or is removed through man-made wells. Government Canyon State Natural Area protects thousands of acres of Recharge Zone, as well as portions of Contributing and Artesian zones. View toward the San Antonio skyline from Chula Vista Overlook. Much later, Native Americans passed through the canyon, temporarily camping near springs. By the 1700s, European immigrants began exploring the canyon’s floodplain area, looking for minerals and farmland. In the early 1850s, government surveyors established a military supply route through this area. The locals’ nickname for the project—the “government road” that was being built through the “government’s canyon”— stuck, and we call it Government Canyon to this day. The clear springs, fertile floodplains and lush grasslands attracted and supported farming and ranching in this area from 1860 until relatively recently. Families like the Hoffmanns, Kallisons and Zizelmanns depended on the supply of fresh water to support their livelihood. Growing awareness of San Antonio’s dependence on the aquifer’s fresh water caused concern about development over the Recharge Zone in the 1980s. Water started connecting people through common causes. Civic and environmental groups formed the

BIRDS OF GOVERNMENT CSTATE ANATURALN AREAYANDOVICINITYN A FIELD CHECKLIST 2022 Cover: Illustration of Lark Sparrow by Clemente Guzman III. INTRODUCTION G overnment Canyon State Natural Area preserves over 12,000 acres of land, most of which protects a portion of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. A large portion of Government Canyon lies within the limestone hills of the Edwards Plateau, where steep slopes wooded with mature Ashe juniper and live oak are host to the endemic and endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. Large cedar elm, lacy oaks, live oaks, sycamore, and little walnut trees grow along the bottoms of canyons. This portion of the Natural Area, known as the Backcountry, attracts species such as the Canyon Wren and Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay. In the warmer months, Black-and-white Warblers, Common Ravens and Summer Tanagers can be found. The southern portion of the Natural Area lies below the escarpment and is relatively level with a mix of Blackland Prairie and juniper/oak savanna habitat. Here, in what is known as the Frontcountry, you are more likely to spot some of your favorite “backyard” birds. The open habitat attracts species such as American Kestrels, Lark Sparrows, Meadowlarks, and Vermilion Flycatchers. Many of the birds in this area can be found in multi-species foraging flocks. When trails are closed due to significant amounts of rainfall, the roadways, Visitor Center, and Discovery Trail are still great places to find birds, including some of nature’s showiest species such as the Northern Cardinal, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Painted Bunting, and Yellow-breasted Chat. The Visitor Center’s location near the interchange of the Frontcountry and Backcountry means that species from both habitat types can be observed. This checklist was updated by Jessica Bergner utilizing eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It was originally compiled by Kelsey Woodward with help from the Birds of Bexar County Checklist by San Antonio Audubon Society, and from observations and input by Steve Hawkins, Georgina Schwartz, Helen Rejzek, Dodge and Lonna Engleman, Bob Doe, Keith Bartels, and Mark Lockwood. You can contribute to this checklist by reporting new and unusual sightings or changes in status. Please record both sighting and photograph, if possible, in eBird or other Citizen Science platforms. You may also report your sightings at the Natural Area headquarters or mail them to the Natural Resource Program, Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Road, San Antonio, TX 78254. Nomenclature and organization for this checklist follow version 8.0.7 of The American Birding Association Checklist. 1 Please help us protect the natural avian communities in our parks and natural areas by refraining from using playback recordings of bird songs. Frequent use of these recordings disrupts normal avian activity patterns, including essential territorial behavior, and may lead to nest failure. Thank you for your cooperation. LEGEND Seasons Sp = spring (March, April, May) S = summer ( June, July, August) F = fall (September, October, November) W = winter (December, January, February) Abundance c = Common (Present, easy to find) f = Fairly common (Present, should see or hear) u = Uncommon (Present, harder to find) r = Rare (May not occur every year) x = Extremely Rare (Only one or two records exist in the Natural Area) * = Indicates a potential breeding species in the Natural Area 2 CHECKLIST Sp S F W DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS ___ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck*....................... u u r ___ Wood Duck...................................................... x NEW WORLD QUAIL ___ Northern Bobwhite*........................................ f f u u u u u r u r c c r c c c c r PARTRIDGES, GROUSE, TURKEYS, AND OLD WORLD QUAIL ___ Wild Turkey*................................................... f u PIGEONS AND DOVES ___ Rock Pigeon*.................................................. ___ Eurasian Collared-Dove*................................ ___ Inca Dove*....................................................... ___ Common Ground Dove*................................. ___ White-tipped Dove........................................... ___ White-winged Dove*....................................... ___ Mourning Dove*.............................................. u r u c r c c r c c c CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS, AND ANIS ___ Greater Roadrunner*...................................... f ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo*..................................... f f f f r u GOATSUCKERS ___ Lesser Nighthawk*.......................................... r ___ Common Nighthawk*..................................... u u ___ Common Pauraque......................................... r r r r ___ Chuck-will’s-widow*....................................... u u 3  Sp S F u u W SWIFTS ___ Chimney Swift*............................................... u HUMMINGBIRDS ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird........................

-Official- FACILITIES Get the Mobile App: MAPS ACTIVITIES TexasStateParks.org/app T O Y O T A T U N D R A The Toyota Tundra is built to explore the great outdoors. No matter what the weekend throws at you, your Tundra takes it on with ease. | toyota.com/tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation CONTENTS 4 100 Years of Texas Parks 6 Parks Near You 8 90 Checklist DIRECTORY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 52 68 20 38 60 30 84 68 David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman Lake Jackson Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman Wimberley James E. Abell Kilgore Oliver J. Bell Cleveland Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Jeffery D. Hildebrand Houston Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth 52 Panhandle Plains 48 State Parks Map Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cover illustration: Brad Woodard, bravethewoods.com Texas State Parks Official Guide, Nineteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/23) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas. gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915, by Relay Texas at 7-1-1, (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. WELCOME from Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director This year is very special for Texas State Parks: We are celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2023. More and more Texans are discovering the beauty of State Parks and exploring the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Our teams across the state are incredibly excited to welcome outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who have yet to discover what our parks have to offer. The variety of Texas’ lands is unmatched; from the mountains of west Texas to the Gulf shores, the Texas State Park system celebrates and preserves the natural and cultural treasures that make Texas such a special place. The 640,000-plus acres that make up the state park system are nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923, our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. As we honor those who have come before us, I invite a new generation to be a part of the story of the lands that connect us all. There is more to enjoy in our parks than you know, so please join us in our celebrations and activities. Every day we look for new and better ways to ensure your state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. YOU are a natural and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary of state parks with you! WHAT’S NEW IN STATE PARKS Galveston Island State Park reopened the beachside of the park with a new headquarters, campsites, restrooms, and more. Bastrop State Park unveiled an extensive new group of trails, the “Tree Army Trails,” many of which are ADA-accessible. Improvements and major repairs are planned for Indian Lodge, Tyler, Inks Lake, Cedar Hill, South Llano River, Eisenhower and several other state parks All-terrain “GRIT” wheelchairs are now available at 10 parks with more adaptive equipment on the way to help people of all abilities experience Texas State Parks. Learn more about our accessibility efforts, page 14. More information: TexasStateParks.org/whatsnew 100 Years of Texas Parks The crown jewels of Texas road trips started as an unfunded wish list before the Depression. Back in 1923, Governor Pat Neff realized rising numbers of new car travelers needed places to camp overnight on multi-day trips. Neff convinced the state legislature to create a six-member State Parks Board, half men, half women. Isabella, the Governor’s mother, and her family donated acreage on the Leon

Guía de Parques INSTALACIONES Descarga la Aplicacíon Móvil MAPAS ACTIVIDADES texasstateparks.org/app ¡Los niños entran gratis! La entrada es gratis para los niños de 12 años y menores. Encuentra un parque: parquesdetexas.org Contenido Estero Llano Grande SP 2 Actividades y Programas 4 Parques Cercanos 6 Lugares para Quedarse 8 Tarifas y Pases 9 Directorio 10 Mapa de Parques 18 Instalaciones y Actividades BIENVENIDO Rodney Franklin, Director de Parques Texas tiene algunas de las tierras públicas más diversas del país, con una gran riqueza natural y cultural. La vida silvestre está por todas partes, los paisajes florecen con belleza, y la historia es abundante. Sus parques estatales son parte del legado que nos enorgullece. La gente de Texas ayuda a asegurar ese legado para las generaciones futuras al visitar y ser voluntarios. ¡Gracias! Estos más de 630,000 acres exhiben algunos de los grandes tesoros del estado. Los parques nos ayudan a crear recuerdos con la familia y a encontrar consuelo en la naturaleza. Los parques fortalecen las economías locales y unen a las comunidades. Sobre todo, los parques nos permiten pasar tiempo al aire libre para recargar energías, estar saludables y relajarnos a nuestra manera. Les invito a disfrutar de sus parques estatales, explorando lo mejor de Texas con amigos y familia. Los parques están aquí para todos. Nos pertenecen a todos. ¡Visítelos, diviértase y ayude a protegerlos para siempre! Foto de portada: Estero Llano State Park, Chase Fountain © 2021 TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (5/21) TPWD recibe fondos del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. (USFWS por sus siglas en ingles). TPWD prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color, religión, nacionalidad de origen, discapacidad, edad y género, conforme la ley estatal y federal. Para solicitar un acomodo especial u obtener información en un formato alternativo, por favor contacte a TPWD en un Teléfono de Texto (TTY) al (512) 3898915 ó por medio de “Relay Texas” al 7-1-1 ó (800) 735-2989 ó por email a accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Si usted cree que TPWD ha discriminado en su contra, favor de comunicarse con TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, o con el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU., Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. De acuerdo con la Ley de Depósito del Estado de Texas, esta publicación está disponible en el centro de Distribución de Publicaciones del Estado de Texas y/o las Bibliotecas de Depósito de Texas. ACTIVIDADES Y PROGRAMAS ¿Qué puedo hacer en los parques estatales? ¡Disfruta de un día de campo, visita un sitio histórico o elige entre muchas otras opciones! Bicicletas Pedalea a lo largo de los parques a cualquier velocidad, en cualquier estilo, con cualquier grupo. Elige las rutas, el tipo de terreno y las distancias que cumplan con tu zona de confort. Caminatas Empieza con un circuito más corto, avanza a terrenos más difíciles o únete a una caminata guiada. Pescar Puedes pescar sin licencia en tantos como 70 parques estatales. Muchos parques ofrecen equipo para pescar a manera de préstamo y eventos especiales para aprender a pescar. Barcos Renta canoas y kayacs y explora uno de los senderos acuáticos en Texas. Nadar Animales Silvestres Acampar Descubre aves, mamíferos y plantas que tienen su hogar en Texas. Muchos parques tienen señalamientos y listados que te ayudan a aprender más. Encuentra un lugar que cumpla con lo que quieres. Prueba nuevas recetas, comparte historias favoritas y disfruta de las estrellas. 2 Más información y reservaciones: parquesdetexas.org Escape del calor en arroyos, ríos, lagos, manantiales, piletas y playas del mar. Tu seguridad en el agua es muy importante. Lleva el chaleco salvavidas. Aprende a nadar. Guarda a los niños. (512) 389-8900 ¡Pregunta en tu parque cuáles están disponibles! Los niños de 12 años y menores entran GRATIS Cielos Estrellados Escapa de las luces de la ciudad y goza de maravillosas vistas del cielo que no encontrarás en ninguna otra parte. Ven a una fiesta de estrellas o toma una excursión de constelaciones auto-guiada. Familias en la Naturaleza Elige un taller o diseña tu propia aventura. ¡Monta una tienda de campaña, cocina al exterior, prende una fogata y juega al exterior! Nosotros te Toma una publicación gratuita de actividades o pregunta por los paquetes gratuitos con los parques proporcionamos todo el equipo. No es necesario tener experiencia. participantes. Usa los binoculares, lupas, libros de bosquejos y libros de guías para explorar el parque. Mochilas para Exploradores Soldados Búfalo de Texas Descubre la historia con cuentos, vestuarios y herramientas. Sigue la pista de un animal, pesca con caña, cocina sobre una fogata, visita los fuertes y más. Adéntrate en las historias de vida de aquellos que sirvieron valientemente en los primeros regimientos Áfrico-Americanos de las Fuerzas Armadas. ! Seguridad en el Parque Ten cuidado con el agua Pre