Yes, this is indeed a BEAUTIFUL park. I shall definitely return here again! Only a 4-hour drive from Houston. Recommendations: Old Baldy trail, Bird trail, swimming/relaxing in Rio Frio Highlights: - The weather was perfect! Sunny, not too humid. - It took us 30 minutes to get to the Old baldy summit (with a few short breaks). It was very windy up top. Amazing views!! You can see the river. Just beautiful! - Hiked the Bridges trail. The only nice part of this trail for me was the scenic overlook of Old Baldy when you reach the top - Hiked the Bird trail. Sort of challenging but fun with all the loose rocks and steep terrain because I was wondering if I will fall - Spent up to an hour in the river. The water was clean and clear. We stayed in the shallow areas. Initially the water feels cold but once you immerse yourself, it feels very nice. There were lots of people in the water. Dislikes: - We hiked the Foshee trail. Very boring. Saw no one and nothing on the trail. - Walked the old entrance rd from the Foshee trail (steep if walking in the other direction) - Map is outdated. There were SEVERAL trails and areas that were NOT mentioned on the map - We had some difficulty locating the Bird trail (the map was poorly drawn) Spent a total of 7 hours here. Had a great time for someone who doesn't have much exposure to state or national parks within the US. There are kayaks, paddleboats, and locker rentals available by the river. Kayak and paddleboat rentals are $15/hour each. read more

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Was looking for a serene, peaceful camping experience for my vacation and I hit the jackpot with Garner in the Fall. Like many reviewers suggest, it's a good idea to reserve a campsite a few weeks ahead of time. Due to the immense popularity of the park, I was thinking it would be crowded even during non-peak season, but I was happily surprised that it wasn't in the slightest. Our campsite was in the Shady Meadows area, a quiet, shaded part of New Garner at the foot of a very large hill. The scenery was gorgeous, and the campsite equipped with water, electricity and a fire pit for cooking. The bathrooms were clean, but bring your own hand soap. Also, the showers were private and most of the time, amply supplied with hot water. Spending your morning on the banks of the Frio River, sipping coffee amidst the crisp air and majestic Bald Cypress trees is an experience that can't be duplicated. The hike up Ol' Baldy was pretty challenging, so bring some good shoes and water. Also recommended, a camera, because the view at the top is nothing short of spectacular. The only drawback was not being able to actually swim in the Frio because it was November. Overall, I loved this park. Can't wait to come back and tackle the other hiking trails. read more

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Garner SP is an absolute gem! I visited during February, so I can't comment on how the park runs during peak season. This review is for camping and hiking. The campsites are great, there are quite a few with lots of trees for shade and hammocks. The restrooms are clean and well maintained. There's a dearth of soap at this park, so it's best to bring a little bottle to the restroom with you. Showers are decent:::the water is super hot. There are so many good hiking trails here ranging from easy to challenging. I highly recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing a walking stick for any of the moderate and challenging trails. There's a lot of slippery rocks and loose rocks on these trails, so it's best to be prepared. The moderate/challenging trails are quite steep as well. If you are thinking of hiking the Campos trail, be warned that it is very steep with no shade and lots of loose rocks and quite a bit of climbing involved. I wouldn't recommend it for a sunny day or any day over 80 degrees. That trail is rough (and for some reason not mentioned on the trail map). The hikes are well worth the effort though, with gorgeous views and natural wonders, namely the crystal cave and old baldy hikes. Old baldy is such a lovely little treasure! The crystal cave is large enough to climb inside and walk around in and does indeed sparkle from the crystals in the rock. It's a super cool little treat after the steep hike/climb. read more

Garner state park is one of my favorite state parks in Texas and happens to be one of the most visited overnight state parks in all of Texas!!! If you and yours are lookin to camp over the summer, Garner State Park is ganna be the spot. The Frio River stays a cool 60 degrees even during the summer which makes for a heck of a refreshing swim during the heat of a Texas summer! During windy afternoons, even the breeze is kept cool by swooping through the river valley. One can camp, hike, paddle boat, go tubing, picnic, canoe, fish, play miniature golf, ride bikes, and enjoy the community dance during the summer evenings at the pavilion! Whatever you choose to do, make sure you go up river some and set yourself up with one of the outfitters to enjoy yourself a lazy float down one of Texas' favorite river stretches down the Frio! read more

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Had an amazing time once we got in. I didn't know I needed reservations had to wait till 5:30 and they make you wait until exactly 5:30 PM

Hello beautiful!! Lots of construction going on, but it's still beautiful, this time we went hiking to painted rock. Park well kept, plenty of shelters. Lots to see from Crystal clear water to wild animals. Turkeys, deer's, turtles. If your up here and forgot something, right before the entrance there is a general store. Yeah skip that, take a right or go straight and it's a 15 minute drive into leaky Texas. It's a small town and it's kinda dry looking but the people are beautiful there, very friendly very sweet. You'll pass an ice machine and eventually a leaky general store with in store butcher. This park will always have my heart. read more

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5 stars all the way! Yes I'm spoiled with the best and this park has THE best water in my opinion for swimming, fishing, kayaking- it's crystal clear. Since it's spring fed it's a bit chilly and on those hot Texas days it feels so good to plunge into the Frio River! The park is laid out nicely. Great camping and rv spots. There is a store with necessities and lots of little shops along the paths. read more

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I honestly haven't even been inside yet. Been waiting outside for 3 1/2 hours. It's a Sunday, not even a holiday weekend, and it's almost 9 p.m.. The check in process is ridiculous. I'm sure it will be beautiful... once we get Inside. So two stars it is! read more

Where to begin this place is so so Awesome the river is Crystal Clear I love fishing here the mountains view will leave you speechless the trails are safe just be careful to follow the signs...Campsites are decent just depending where you wanna stay hot showers and clean restrooms also to mention they have a dance every night very fun just a heads up go early and avoid the lines if not be prepared to wait some of the best advice I can give you read more

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I LOVE Garner State Park. The crystal clear Frio river, the trails, the weekend dances, the history, the camping, the dog and family friendliness of it all!!! The park is beautiful and for $8 per adult for day entrance, you can bring your own cooler and food, it's a great place to go any time any day. Look up when peak season is because it can reach maximum capacity quickly and you might miss out. I can't recommend this state park enough. It's one of my favorites! read more

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I come to Garner often and am always happy I went. I like to hike and the trails keep me coming back with great scenery I can be out there all day! Nothing to challenging these trails are family friendly meaning the whole family can enjoy a good hike. The Frio river is also a good reason to visit this park the waters are clear and beautiful. read more

Garner State Park - A great place to get away! - Parks Near Me - Concan, Texas

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I have lived in the area for 47years and have visited the park numerous times throughout my life time. My grandfather helped to create and develop Garner State Park under Roosevelt's CCC PROGRAM. I have never been treated like I was treated by Juan, last name unknown. At the checkpoint he handed my family and I our bracelets and treated us very ugly for not putting them on right away. He lectured use and made it seem like he was about to kick us out of the park. So i complied only for not ruining the day for my kids. read more

Older (Karen) lady at the entrance was very rude. We felt very unwelcome. We politely asked questions and she would just answer with "uh huh" and "yeah". Please put someone polite at the entrance to have guest feel welcomed. read more

One of my favorite places in Texas. Spacious camp sites, clean surroundings, and great park hosts. The only reason i did not give it a 5 was because of the park administration staff. The park was practically empty and they recused to let us move to a slightly nicer site. They told me there was no waiting list for the other sites but that they show booked. We wanted a site across the street that was open. We sat at our site and watched that site remain empty the entire weekend. read more

This is by far our favorite Texas State park to visit. We like to go in the off season, not too crazy busy or too hot. Early mornings hikes are a must! This park has some challenging hikes, bring the right gear! If you like the quiet more relaxed camping stay in new Garner, if you're ok with busyness and many people stay in old Garner. Don't wait to late in the day to get a warm shower, the hot water runs out quick. But will be back if you wait it out . I can't wait to book our next trip! read more

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Dog friendly. Kid friendly. Family friendly. Adult friendly as long as you don't publicly consume alcohol beverages. Camping in tents, screened shelters, or cabins. You can bring a trailer and get full hook ups. Has a small store, paddle boat rental, etc. Dances at the Pavillion nightly during summer time. A place to make memories and traditions. read more

Having gone to UtopiaFest for a couple of years, we've figured out that during the day, Garner is the best thing to do. Have a couple of drinks, float around, enjoy nature, the whole bit. It was crowded as hell this weekend, I suppose because it was Labor Day. They did seem woefully unprepared to handle the crowds. The first day we arrived, there was a line monitor who could not have been less friendly. He essentially got into an argument with every carload of people that bypassed the line because he was nearly invisible in his current position. Like, at one point, it's you man. The second time, we were turned away because the park was full. Which you find out after driving all the way in. Maybe a sign at the turn in would be smart. The park itself is beautiful, the river is clean and cool and though it was crowded, it never felt overwhelming. If you're coming here for the day, I'd suggest: floats or noodles, a softside ice chest you can place by the river, a padded blanket or chairs as the ground is mostly rocks and tree roots. Also, if you're doing anything with national parks, it really pays to get the park pass at $70 given that you're paying for a whole carload of people already. read more

The images that come to mind as a child always end up on the Frio River in a tube or trying to do back flips off the rope swing. Garner is always fun! I have gone there since I was a little G. I remember sitting next to the river at night and exchanging thoughts with girls and watching the moon reflect and then jumping in to cool off. The trees are ancient and the roots are cool the way they make the ground look like "tree spaghetti". There are different section of Garner with different activities that are all pretty cool. My favorite place when I was a teen was the dance and then chillin down b the river on a little pier. This place was an amazing place when growing up. I remember climbing Mt. Baldy and leaving a river rock at the top with our name. If you go ask for a spot in "Old Garner" and the Mt. Baldy area near the Frio. The spots at the base near the river are cool but, if you have a dog...bring them in as the Skunks are not fans of yelping perros! (tomato juice bath) It is unfortunate that it has been destroyed by its popularity and the guests of the park are so inconsiderate. See when we go camping the main rules are simple: 1. Respect others 2. Throw Trash 3. Meet new people 4 Have Fun 5. Be with nature 6. Relax If you are reading this and plan to go to Garner, help to be a good patron and keep our parks clean. I wish generation could enjoy the natural beauty that is Garner but, people can not be trashing out such a wonderful place! Have FUN and Be courteous!! read more

August 27-31 Old Garner sites 77, 79, 80 Perfect campsite location thanks to our friend for getting there early to pick 'em (first come first serve). 30 sec walk to the dumpsters, 1 minute walk to the volleyball court, 2 min walk to the river and bathrooms, 3-4 min walk to the trails, 4 min walk to the store, 5 min walk to the pavilions where the dance is. We had a small elevated land where we were able to see overhead and pitch our tents so that was nice. Had plenty of trees and shade too. Was able to draw 3 clotheslines which came in Very Handy and hung a hammock. Each site had a Useful metal pole to hang our lanterns at night. BBQ pits with adjustable grills for your desired height, a "driveway", and a water spout. Bathrooms are clean but showers were dirty, almost disgusting. No trashcans so ppl threw their bar soap wrappers, empty mini shampoo containers, and used tampons in the corner. Yep, I said it, USED tampons. Although I think its wrong for these females to do that and Not bring a plastic bag to dispose their tampons in...I cut for them. Garner State Park must make it accommodating for Everyone, even ladies on their cycle. Its NATURAL. At least have a huge trash bin outside or something. ONE (1) hook on the wall or doors would be nice. Geeeez, that is Not too much to ask for. Several hiking trails; bring tennis shoes and a pack-pack to carry your water. Youll definitely need several bottles for a 2-3hr hike. We duked it out and climbed unpaven paths and forged our own trails....we didnt know there was a path just 20 ft to our left. Pahaha. We climbed 3 hills and saw 2 caves. Old Baldy was one and cant remember the other 2. The Frio River--sigh....its about to dried up guys. Parts of the river is gone! Its just...land!!!!! So shallow you gotta stand up and walk. Theres still a slight current so you can drift. Numerous ropes to swing and jump into the river with. But ppl over 5.9 and 160lbs...be careful bc 2 of our guys jumped and felt the rocks. A few laddered trees to climb up and dive off with. At 1 part of the river, depths are at least 15ft. BRING YOUR AQUA SHOES!!! Its a must have Plentiful Buzzers in the trees and flying above, gray tailed squirrels, deers, skunks and armadillos are the animals we encountered at the park especially at night. Goats and Rams were added to the list on the hills. You can rent fans at the lil store f or $15/day and tubes for $6 day and ice: $2.25 for 10lbs. Theres a Twice the Ice outside the state park , 20lbs for ~$2 but its the sorry ice, the kind that melts fast..if you know what I mean. Stores nearby are in Leaky ~7mins away and dang expensive. I think ice was ~4 bucks for 10lbs, ~6 for a case of bottled water, $5 for no named "D" batteries (2 in a pack so since she needed 8 for her fan, she spent $20 for an off brand batteries) Walmart & HEB in Uvalde ~23 miles away Walmart in Hondo ~40 mins away. Im from Houston and drove a good 5 hrs here. I prefer beach camping than river camping...stagnant water just seems...unclean. Especially since theres a dam right there. If you have a motorcycle this area would be a great place to ride as there zillions of climbs, dips, and curves. Not IN the park of course, outside the state park. read more

Garner State Park is a good place to go if you want to get away from the city, although it doesn't take you totally away from it. Many people bring RVs to the campsites, and use the electrical hookups and the running water that comes with each campsite. There's even a general/convenience store and restaurant on the camp grounds! Needless to say, I wasn't going to have any of that - sleep outside for the best experience. As for things to do: - Go hiking! There are plenty of trails and it's fun to see the sights and play outside. - Frio River. There's a central portion where most people are located, you can see them swimming, diving, or just relaxing. Too bad with all those people, the water gets really dirty, and it gets very crowded. Lame! Here's the secret. The central portion is separated by dams to the north and south. Go past the north dam - the water isn't deep enough for swimming, but it is VERY clean, plus there is a current. You can ride a floaty or just chill in the water. A hidden gem for sure, very few people actually come to this area. - Star gazing. You'll have to wait for the music and lights from the campsite to turn off, but after they do, the sights are great. Shooting stars aplenty. Overall, it was a very relaxing experience. Just don't forget stuff like a swim suit, food, and stuff to cook it with on the campfire! Checkout time is 2pm - you just need to be off the campsite by then. read more

We arrived, drove around the available camp sites and agreed on a spot near the river with less shade than we might have wanted. At first I was afraid but then decided to let it all go and visit the river. After sitting in the rapids for 30 minutes or so and just enjoying the views of the river I realized this was going to be a great weekend. The water here is completely freezing but is so beautiful and clear, crisp, clean. Kids swing from ropes and jump in to the water, they ride paddle boats - we even rented a kayak for an hour and tooled up and down the banks. I had a great weekend here and I can't wait to go back. It does get a little crowded so maybe a mid-week trip might be in order but it's such a beautiful and relaxing park. read more

My boyfriend and I took our first trip to Garner State Park this weekend and had a great time. At first there were some issues due to the late hour of our arrival, but FYI you can totally roll up there super late and be ok. We were anxious because we got there after the park office closed around 11 and didn't know if this one would strictly enforce the 'get a permit first' rule. After driving about 5 hours from Houston and getting pulled over (!) in Hondo, TX, we made it to GSP and snagged an empty camp site for the night. The next morning the park patrol guy came and wrote down our information and told us to go register. No bad attitude here! This guy was super nice and didn't scold us for just grabbing a site for the night. This is definitely not the case everywhere, so I really appreciated it :) It's off-season for tubing on the Frio, but the park was pretty busy and full of people enjoying the Fall weather. We ended up being switched to another site right next to the river in the Old Garner section of the park. We went to the river to enjoy some swimming for a bit- OH MAN THAT IS SOME COLD WATER! Both my guy and I are wimps, so we had to 'ease in' the water for a long time. I finally was completely submerged and had a great time swimming around and people watching. Unfortunately my boyfriend is an even bigger wimp than me, so he just waded up to his waist and hung out with me. It was beautiful though- the hills surround you, the river is clear and gurgly and it's all very picturesque. My guy said 'it looks like people should be fly fishing here', the whole scene is very A River Runs Through It. We will definitely be back. Next time I have my eye on campsites 10-17. They are in a great location with lots of green that look awesome. read more

For my 40th birthday I wanted to do something that I used to love but don't do very much anymore...CAMPING! Contacted a bunch of my friends and we headed to the Big Hill Country of Texas! Beautiful cypress trees, Rio Frio was cold and crystal clear, lots of fun things for the kids to do but most of all great relaxing time for all. Campground was very clean. Bathrooms were clean and well kept.....with plenty of hot water! Hiking trails were a blast but I am still sore, thanks to Old Baldy. Garner State Park is a must if you like camping! read more

Well, it is hard for me to review Garner State Park because I'm not sure if I enjoyed it or not. First of all, I came here on Saturday early in the morning so I can finish the hike before noon when it gets too hot. I came here at 7:30AM and I didn't realize that the park isn't open until 8AM. So I waited in my car in the parking lot until 8, without realizing there was a line of cars formed to get in. The park promptly opened at 8AM and I had to get back in line, which took another 30 mins. I then wanting to get a map from the Info center, which doesn't open until 9AM, and it is 8:30AM. So I decided to hike on my own. I drove around the camp site twice before parking. The camp site reminds of homeless camping ground, it just feels weird. I walked around for a while and found the "entrance" to the hike and start hiking towards the highest point, it was short but steep, once I reached the top, the view is great. Then I started to take a different route back and 2 hours later, I finished most of the East Trail. It wasn't too hard, very rocky and can be slippery if you don't have the right shoes. The hike wasn't too bad. So if you asks me right now how I felt about Garner park, I would say for a park that charges $7 per person (not car), they can do better. I wouldn't camp here. But the hike is pretty good. Would I come back? Well, maybe for the hike and I'm in the area. read more

Garner is beautiful. The restrooms and campsites are well maintained, and it's one of the prettiest parks in Texas. However, I'm not sure I would choose this spot over other parks again because of the indifference of the staff and the inefficiency of the check in process. We arrived on a Friday just before sunset and there were literally 50 people in line in front of us, many with kids. I've camped in numerous state parks and never arrived to more than three people in line. The ladies behind the counter were just sitting there chatting in clusters and made no effort to process people in a timely manner, sometimes taking 20 minutes per person. For someone who made reservations and paid online- this is absurd. We ended up setting up our site in the dark and eating dinner at 9:30 pm solely because we didn't have our campsite number. The lady who checked us in said that it's always like this. I won't be back with so many other wonderful options in the Hill Country. read more

Horrible experience. I made online reservations for a campsite, only to be given a NUMBER when I arrived. I had to wait well over an hour to get our camping permit. (It really makes you question what good the reservation process is.) We went on Spring Break, so I get it - it's going to be crowded with shrieking children. Ok, whatever - that's understandable. However, the part that offended me the most was that an incredibly rude family barged into our campsite/took our parking place and began setting up all of their things when my boyfriend and I left to get a hamburger. They began all of this over an hour before we were even required to check out. (2PM) We basically had no choice other than to pack up and leave, despite that I really needed some rest before driving back home. I complained to the park staff as we left, and they appeared to not really care. They basically said, "Sorry, we tell people not to do that, but darn I guess they didn't listen!" Despite how beautiful this park is and how great the amenities are, I have never left a state park so angry and tense in my life. I will not be making a three hour drive to risk experiencing that again. read more

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT drink alcohol anywhere except for inside your tent. Had no idea about this rule, and got a ticket for public consumption and was drinking out of a yeti cup. The staff member at the office that I called to inquire about ticket was very helpful and kind, but indicated the judge does not normally dismiss those tickets for any reason. The officer that gave me a ticket would not even give me a warning and we literally were just sitting by the water. 15 minutes before I received the citation, another staff member gave me and my husband a survey on what we thought of the park and said nothing about our drinks! If it wasn't for the great atmosphere and scenery, I would give it a 1 star. But $169 later for the ticket, I probably will never come back. My friends and family won't be either. read more

Garner State Park - Had tons of fun other than getting a citation for public consumption! - Parks Near Me - Concan, Texas

Went here last week with my husband and dog. It was a nice drive from San Antonio, but be aware that there is NO cellular service anywhere in the park. Not necessarily a bad thing, but fair warning. Park was well kept. We were at the park all day well into the evening. Grilled in he public area and hiked one of the trails (Old Baldy). There's also a trail by the Rio Frio. All in all, a very peaceful and relaxing place with beautiful views.... especially on top of the canyons. read more

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It's beautiful but so crowded. I'm unclear on why the riff-raff decide to blast bad music for everyone to hear when we're all there to appreciate nature, but I guess some people just can't bear to be with their own thoughts. And the river is amazing and cold and clear They are VERY strict about alcohol, so believe the signs. The people next to us each got a $100 ticket for a beer in a koozie. So be smart and bring some water bottles ;-) read more

I really like this place especially in the summer. It's about an hour drive from San Antonio and perfect for a weekend trip from Austin. The Frio River (aka freaking cold river) in the park is a must-go place for all visitors. The view is scenic and the water is clear. We could swim, play and chill there for hours. And since the water is about 5 ft deep, it's definitely a good news for short folk like me. I have camped there twice. There are many options to choose from and we picked the one with electricty and water hookup. And because of that, we were camping right next to some gigantic, noise roaming RV. It was a bit annoying. The hiking trail was awesome! 4 of us and 2 dogs spent 2-3 hours hiking and it was never a dull moment! read more

Gets filled up real fast. If you do t have a reservation, chances are you won't get in. $8 per person. No alcohol. No glass bottles. In August, the water is really low. read more

Fall is a beautiful time to camp in the park! The water is exhilarating and the climb up Old Baldy is more colorful and vibrant than in summer. One of God's favorite places. I felt Him there. read more

Garner State Park - November in the park. - Parks Near Me - Concan, Texas

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Great for hiking and swimming! Not great if you want to get away from the crowds --- this is a very popular park and is usually packed through the Summer and Fall. Climb to the top of the nearby hills to get a breath-taking view of the park and the river. Be sure to indulge in paddleboating or take a dip in one of the many swimming holes. Everyone should camp here at least once. read more

2nd year of taking the family to a cabin (which are always clean). We always go in November. No tv, no phones, no electronics! Perfect time to unwind and enjoy the outdoors, do the fire pit, and have some s'mores. We spend a lot of time playing games once inside with a fire in the fireplace, and enjoy each other. read more

Garner State Park - Parks Near Me - Concan, Texas

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We were here in November and it was so quiet. The fall colors were starting to change and they were beautiful. We enjoyed the hiking trails, which there are many of. The staff was friendly and helpful. We wanted to change sites and they had no problem accommodating us. If you're looking for a nice campground in TX, this is one we'd recommend! read more

This is a large state park, there is over 16 miles of scenic trails, and 2.9 miles of the Frio River access within its boundaries. We were turned away because we didn't have reservations for a day use pass . The capacity is 200 cars. I don't feel like it is fair to have to make reservations for a day use pass in a state park. I believe a day use pass should be based on first come, first serve. Nevertheless we found parking at a crossing on FM1050 across from 4 JCabins , just around a mile away from the state park where you can access the water for free. You just park on the side of the road. Hope this is helpful and saves you a wasted trip. read more

This place is just beautiful. Staff was really friendly. Very clean also. Will be back..

We camped at site 432 in our RV for 3 nights. I was surprised with how many great trails this park has, considering it is known for the Rio Frio. However, the trails are rocky, so you have to be careful with not twisting an ankle. Great views, though! The Old Baldy trail was really busy, but all the other trails were scenic and quiet. Very nice. Our first night was a Thursday night and our neighbors weren't very loud. The park is really quiet- you can barely hear any road noise. However,we did have a problem with noise after quiet hours on Friday night, which we expected. The campground is huge and Garner is usually booked on weekends and in peak season. Campground showers weren't very nice.. They weren't dirty, but they are old and had lots of bugs in the showers. But they had hot water! The Rio Frio was amazing! Really slow moving currents, perfect for tubing and kayaking. The water is clear- you can see to the bottom at 6+ feet of depth. The water is really cold, but it was warm outside, so no problem. I liked that this park has a store, so if you forget/need anything, it's not too far of a drive to get it. I don't really like the way the park has their dump stations.. There is one station every so often, randomly dispersed throughout the park. It's strange. Also, the water tasted really weird and it was even discolored sometimes, like a light yellow color. If you have water hook ups, I would suggest you bring bottled water to drink. Nice park, but it's super busy and I prefer a bit more privacy and seclusion. It's a long drive for us, so we probably won't come back. read more

Great park and facilities. It is beautiful and one of my favorite Texas state parks. You can paddle board, kayak, tube, hike and bike. A great place to take a family camping. read more

I LOVE GARNER! My family and I went for the first time during Columbus day weekend. I had booked this trip in February because I could not find anything earlier. I am glad I went in October vs over the summer. Despite the rain, the weather was perfect. I've read all the reviews, so I mentally prepped myself anticipating a long wait time. However, when we arrived around 4:30 we were seen right away and got our campsite number. The staff seemed friendly, maybe it was our lucky day. We stay in New Garner - Live Oak Camping Area site #327. Our site had a big shady tree with water/electricity, a 2 mins walk down a trail to get to the river. the only drawback was the bathroom wasn't as close and is what you would expect on a camping trip with moths all over the ceiling, my kid was freaked out by it. Another family gave us the inside scoop on the cleaner showers in route to Old Garner in the River Crossing Camping Area. We went to the dance party in the evening (only summer time and holiday weekends), went into the gift shop and bought ice cream right next door. The next day we went up the Old Baldy trail, which was challenging but doable. I was surprised to see as many children on the trail as I did. Then we went to the boating dock where we rented a pedal boat and went up the river. (they also have SUP and kayaks for rent). The river is just gorgeous with the mountains in the backdrop. I will say after spending the day in old garner, I am very glad I reserved a site away because there is ton traffic by foot and by car, so I can only imagine how crazy it gets during the summer time. So if you are looking for peace and quiet, Old Garner is not it. Another thing I loved about Garner was the park stores and gift shop area. If you forgot anything, the have you covered from sunscreen to eggs, sandwiches, floaties, to pots and pans! There is also a microwave in the park store and a laundromat. Also you can min golfing and have lunch at the food truck, unfortunately we did not get to eat there since they has just closed. I honestly could have stayed here a week with no problems! We will be coming here annually here on out now! read more

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