Garner State Park Camping
in May

Booking Garner State Park in May

Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance at 8 a.m. Central — so for a May trip, the booking window opens in December. Popular weekends can disappear within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already full, check the booking system directly for cancellations, or book a cabin or vacation rental nearby.

What to Expect in May

The river warms up and Memorial Day weekend sells out far in advance. Early May weekdays are the sweet spot.

Park Highlights

• ✓Swimming and tubing in the Frio River — spring-fed and ice cold
• ✓Nightly summer dance at the concession building (a Texas tradition since the 1940s)
• ✓Old Baldy Trail — 1.7-mile climb with panoramic Hill Country views
• ✓Paddleboard and kayak rentals on the river
• ✓Mini golf and game room at the concession
• ✓One of the largest campgrounds in the Texas parks system

Tips

• →Summer weekends book up the instant the 5-month window opens — set your alarm
• →The river can be low in late summer during dry years — check conditions before you go
• →Bring water shoes — the river bottom is rocky limestone
• →The nightly dance is free and open to all ages — it's genuinely fun, not touristy
• →Sites near the river can flood after heavy rain — check the weather forecast