Brackenridge Park
San Antonio, Texas (Bexar County)

About the City Park

Sea lion and handler at the San Antonio Zoo
25k JPEG

Located adjacent to the San Antonio Zoo, 343.7-acre Brackenridge Park is a focal point for outdoor family activities. The picturesque San Antonio River, which originates from artesian springs north of the park, meanders by paved, tree-lined paths suitable for bicycling and walking. Additional recreational opportunities include picnicking, pedal boating, fishing, birding and nature study. Facilities include athletic fields, playground, concessions and a 3.5-mile miniature railway. Brackenridge Golf Course, the oldest municipal golf course in Texas, is also located within the park.

The park's primary tourist attraction is the San Antonio Zoo, home to the third largest animal collection in North America, including several endangered whooping cranes. The Zoo is open 7 days a week year-round. There is an admission fee.

Another popular attraction are the Japanese Tea Gardens -- a lush year-round garden and floral display featuring shaded walkways, stone bridges, 60-foot waterfall and attractive ponds. The gardens mesmerize and delight visitors to this natural oasis in Brackenridge Park. The Gardens are open 7 days a week from 8 AM until dusk. There is no admission fee. Call (210)821-3120 for additional information.

In addition to the exotic and captivating birds and animals on display at the Zoo, Brackenridge Park itself attracts a variety of wildlife. Squirrels and wild birds such as green herons, great egrets, great blue herons and black-bellied whistling ducks, mallard ducks and cormorants are often observed in the park or on the Zoo grounds.

Park Ratings

Explanation of Symbols
Campsites/Overnight Facilities	0 star
Leashed Pets Permitted?	YES
Picnic Areas/Playgrounds	4 star
Solitude	1 star
Trail System	0 star
Water Recreation	0 star
Wildlife	2 star
Ratings are based on a scale of 0 (low) to 4 (high).

Shannon's Wild Texas Notebook

As an urban park situated near many of downtown San Antonio's prime tourist attractions, Brackenridge Park can be quite busy, especially during holidays and weekends. Nevertheless, the park is a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic or leisurely stroll after visiting the nearby sights.

Trivia: Yes, it's really spelled Brackenridge Park. Although there is a Breckenridge, Texas, it is nowhere near San Antonio. If skiing and other winter sports are your thing, set your sights on Breckenridge, Colorado!

Location

Brackenridge Park is located two miles from downtown San Antonio at 3700 North St. Mary's Street.

The nearest major Texas cities are: Austin, Del Rio, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston

Maps for Brackenridge Park

Roadway Map - MapQuest
Buy a Topographic Map of the Area - MyTopo

How to Get Here from Your Location?

^* NOTE: The driving directions (Google Maps) open in a new window.

Coordinates for GPS Users:

29.4557876° Latitude -98.4730724° Longitude (WGS84/NAD83; decimal degrees)
Convert to another coordinate sytem or map datum

Hours

Open 7 days a week year-round from 5 AM to 11 PM. Daytime visits to the park are recommended.

The park is day use only, except during holidays such as Easter when the park is open to free camping on a first come, first served basis (no reservations available.)

Fees

There is no entrance fee for the park or the Japanese Tea Gardens.
The Zoo charges admission. Call (210)734-7184 or email information@sazoo-aq.org for rates.

Events

Consult the San Antonio Parks Calendar for information on upcoming events at this and other San Antonio city parks.

Weather

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact the Brackenridge Park Conservancy for volunteer opportunities.

Official Contact Information

The City Park is managed by the San Antonio Department of Parks & Recreation.

Brackenridge Park
3700 North St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, TX 78209

Telephone: (210)207-7275

Brackenridge ParkSan Antonio, Texas (Bexar County)