Spanish missions and the Frio River canyonlands

Route description

Start at Mission San José on San Antonio’s south side, the most complete of the four missions in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The Mission Hike and Bike Trail links all four along the river if you have bikes. Then take US-90 west for 40 km to Castroville, founded in 1844 by settlers from Alsace, with steep-roofed stone houses and a historic Alsatian landmark district.

Continue on US-90 to Hondo and Sabinal, then turn north on US-83 at Uvalde, or on FM 187 and RM 1050 for a quieter route to Concan. Garner State Park sits on the Frio River among bald cypress and limestone hills. In summer the river is crowded with tubers, and you should book campsites and day passes well in advance; spring and autumn are calmer.

Leakey, the small county seat just north of Garner, is the start of the famous Twisted Sisters motorcycle roads, RM 335, 336 and 337. These are steep and full of tight curves, with loose gravel and livestock on the road; they are not suitable for large RVs or trailers. RM 337 east from Leakey climbs over the divide to Vanderpool and Lost Maples.

Lost Maples State Natural Area is famous for red bigtooth maples from late October to mid November, when the lot fills early and reservations are needed. From Vanderpool follow RM 337 east to Medina and TX-16 south-east to Bandera, the self-styled cowboy capital of the world, with dude ranches and live country music on weekends. San Antonio is about an hour south-east on TX-16.