San Antonio is home to some really awesome parks and playgrounds! Seriously, you will not know where to start after reading this list.
The second largest city in Texas is filled with unique parks and playgrounds for families to enjoy some time outdoors. Whether you’re looking for great playscapes for your little one or prefer green spaces for picnics and walking trails, this list has a bit of everything and won’t disappoint.
A trip to the park is an absolute gem if you’re aiming to have a blast without breaking the bank. With San Antonio’s fantastic climate, children can revel in the playgrounds and frolic amidst the lush greenery throughout the year. Picture this: scorching hot summers and delightful, brisk winters. It’s an everlasting playground paradise for endless excitement! During the summer months, most of these parks feature splash pads to cool off!
If you want more options to enjoy the Outdoors in San Antonio, click here!
Check out these fantastic parks and playgrounds in and around San Antonio:
1
Brackenridge Park
With views of the river, you can enjoy a picnic with your loved ones surrounded by green space where kids will run around and play; there are playgrounds they will also love; a bike trail; a walking trail; a softball field; a water fountain; and more! The park features two playgrounds. But Brackenridge Park does not only offer these fun features; the park is also home to the San Antonio Zoo and the Japanese Tea Garden, and more!2
Hemisfair Park/ Yanaguana Garden
Hemisfair Park is a top spot for families with kids in the downtown area, and it’s filled with interesting features! Kids will find an awesome playground area with a rope-climbing/net play structure, playhouses, swings, a splash pad, ping pong tables, a sandscape play area, huge chess boards, and so much more! You will have public restrooms and the popular Dough Pizzeria nearby if you get hungry! Parking is not free, but it’s worth it if you’re visiting Hemisfair.3
Pearsall Park
Ready to visit the biggest park in San Antonio? Pearsall Park is just awesome. It features several large play areas: the three-story playscape means guaranteed fun for kids of all ages and abilities, offering two 8-foot ramps as well as giant slides; a smaller playscape for younger children; an awesome skate park; trails to go for a walk and get your mind out of daily things; a water play area for the summer days; a fitness area; a zipline; food trucks; lots of spaces for parking; basketball courts; picnic tables; public restrooms; and more!4
Bonnie Conner Park
Kids will love this park as it features an extensive playground with lots of space for playing and running! There’s also a walking trail, a large pavilion for birthday celebrations, fitness equipment for the grown-ups to work out while watching the kids, and a huge field for many activities such as soccer, kite-flying, and more! The Igo Library is located nearby, so what better way to spend the day than with books and outdoor recreation?5
Cathedral Rock Park
Cathedral Rock Park is a smaller playground option than the ones already mentioned, but it features almost 2 miles of walking and biking trails to explore! The park is connected to the Leon Creek Greenway. There are also picnic tables, an awesome playground with an animal-themed playscape for both big and younger kids, a water fountain, a pavilion, and plenty of space to enjoy fresh air, run around, and simply enjoy a nice day out with the kids! There’s also a private parking lot.6
Hardberger Park
This park has it all! If you’re interested in playgrounds, Hardberger Park has two separate play spaces: one is the Park West playground, which is smaller and has a tall slide, swings, and shade structures. The other one is the Park East playground, which is larger and features multiple play zones and a beautiful trail connecting them. If you’re more interested in natural spaces, the park has miles of hiking trails where the whole family will enjoy nature and a great atmosphere!7
Elmendorf Lake Park
Elmendorf Lake Park is the perfect park to spend a nice day with the family, enjoying a picnic and the views of the lake while kids run around in the big open space! The park also features a baseball field, playgrounds, exercise equipment, picnic tables, a splash pad with water features, and so much more! Elmendorf Park is the ideal destination to enjoy time in nature rather than the playscapes; you will find trails, bridges, a fishing pier, tall trees, and plenty of green spaces.8
Landa Gardens
This 5-acre green space park features playgrounds and gardens that are located around the Landa Library. It’s one of the sweetest and most peaceful little parks in San Antonio. The late Larry Landa gifted the Hannah Landa Library, their former private home, to San Antonio. Now a free public library and children’s playground, it offers a serene and well-shaded space with beautifully landscaped gardens, well-maintained playground equipment, and two separate playscapes, including a fenced-in area for young toddlers’ safety.9
Schertz Library Park
This park on the northeast side of San Antonio features a play space with a library attached for kids of all ages to enjoy! You will find a train-shaped play structure, slides, swings, a boat attached to the main playground, and a story walk around the playground. The park is near the Schertz Public Library, the Schertz YMCA, and some soccer fields, making it perfect for families with kids!10
MacArthur Park
Kids of all ages will find something to love at MacArthur Park! The park has multiple playscapes for kids of different ages, including slides, climbing areas, and tennis courts. You will also find good shade covers, tennis courts, party pavilions, a picnic area, walking trails, and more.11
Woodlawn Lake Park
Woodlawn Lake Park is special. Everyone will find something they’ll love! This park features a great playground, shaded pavilions, fitness machines, and great views of Woodlawn Lake, and families will love the chance to feed and see some duck friends walking around the park! There’s also a community health and wellness center, a pool, and tennis courts. The 1.4-mile loop walking trail that goes around the lake is perfect for unwinding the mind.12