Park Safety & Rules

Hours of Operation

Hours of operation may vary. Please check our parks directory for the hours of the park you wish to visit. Exceptions to the hours of operation may be made for special events. For information, visit the Reservations page

Camping

Group camping is allowed at Medina River Natural Area by permit. Camping is not allowed at other parks except when the park curfew is lifted by for special events and/or holiday celebrations.

For more information, call 210-207-7275.

Fishing

A fishing license is required to go fishing at City ponds and lakes.

Metal Detecting

Metal detecting is allowed in selected City parks subject to permitting process.

Swimming

Swimming is allowed in City pools during their regular operating hours and season. Swimming is prohibited in the San Antonio River and other bodies of water such as ponds and lakes.

Alcohol

Alcohol use is prohibited in City parks, except by special event permit. Parks where alcohol can be consumed include:

District 1

  • HemisFair
  • King William Park
  • Koger Stokes Softball Complex in San Pedro Springs Park
  • La Villita
  • Main Plaza
  • Market Square
  • McFarlin Tennis Center in San Pedro Springs Park
  • River Walk
  • Spanish Governor's Palace
  • Tower of the Americas

District 2

  • Coliseum Oaks Park
  • Dorie Miller
  • Martin Luther King Plaza
  • Sunrise
  • Willow Springs Golf Course

District 3

  • Harlandale
  • Kingsborough
  • Mission del Lago Golf Course
  • Mission Parkway
  • Pytel
  • Riverside Golf Course
  • Southside Lions - area east of Pecan Valley Drive

District 4

Mateo Camargo Picnic Facility

District 5

  • Calderon Boys' & Girls' Club
  • Kennedy Park Softball Complex
  • Rosedale Mass Picnic Facility

District 8

  • Cedar Creek Golf Course
  • Eisenhower Mass Picnic Facility
  • O.P. Schnabel Park - Graff Pavilion

District 9

  • Belmeade Park
  • Brackenridge Golf Course
  • Koehler area in Brackenridge Park
  • Lion's Field Adult and Senior Center
  • Gunn Sports Park in McAllister Park
  • Olmos Basin Park
  • Olmos Basin Golf Course
  • San Antonio Botanical Center
  • San Antonio Gun Club lease area
  • San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park
  • San Pedro Driving Range & Par 3
  • San Pedro Park - Little Theater
  • Sunken Garden Theater in Brackenridge Park
  • Witte Museum in Brackenridge Park

District 10

Alva Jo Fischer Softball Complex in Lady Bird Johnson Park

Glass Containers

Glass beverage containers are allowed in indoor park facilities and at the following parks:

  • Cedar Creek Golf Course
  • HemisFair
  • La Villita
  • Market Square
  • McFarlin Tennis Center in San Pedro Park
  • Mission del Lago Golf Course
  • River Walk
  • Riverside Golf Course
  • Olmos Basin Golf Course
  • San Antonio Botanical Center
  • San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park
  • San Pedro Driving Range & Par 3
  • Tower of the Americas
  • Willow Springs Golf Course
  • Witte Museum in Brackenridge Park

Tobacco & Smoke Free Parks 

San Antonio's parks and plazas are tobacco and smoke free. Community members can enjoy smoke and tobacco free trails, pools and playgrounds. You can't smoke or use any tobacco in City parks, trails, the River Walk, Market Square or La Villita.

Recycling

All City parks offer recycling. Look for the blue recycling centers at parks across San Antonio and at the trailheads on our Leon Creek, Salado Creek and Medina River greenway trails. In Hardberger Park, look for beige animal proof recycling centers.

Please follow these guidelines:

  • Recycling centers are for plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans only.
  • Please empty any liquids from bottles or cans before recycling in blue.
  • Food, paper plates, plastic packaging, pet waste and other waste products should go in the regular trash.
  • Paper products including wax-coated paper drink containers should be thrown away.