When Susan of Travel Bug knew we were heading east and would pass thru Texas, she recommended the River Walk in San Antonio. What’s more interesting is that they were staying at the park where we planned to live during our stay. Yet another blogger to meet in person! When we arrived there our new friends, Susan and Bob, graciously gave us a mini-tour around the missions and other areas of which I will talk more in my next post. We also enjoyed a nice dinner and games with them before we moved on.
Susan and Bob
For now lets talk about the San Antonio River Walk – aka Paseo del Rio, the jewel of San Antonio, Texas.
So where does all the water in this river come from? We learned that the San Antonio River rises in a cluster of springs and the headwaters of the spring known as the Blue Hole is located on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. The surrounding creeks empty into the river just below its head, and other springs continue to join as the river flows through the city and empties into the Guadalupe River.
The network of walkways and bridges, known as the San Antonio River Walk, is one of San Antonio’s principal attractions. The River Walk has been extended, and the whole network is now a 15-mile masterpiece that weaves the city’s past and future together. Starting north of the city at Brackenridge Park (San Antonio’s Central Park), it continues south all the way to the four preserved 18th century Spanish colonial missions south of downtown.
The downtown reach is 20 feet below street level and meanders through beautifully landscaped paths lined with numerous shops, bars, restaurants and museums. We walked the stone pathways connecting these attractions with a blend of historic and modern architecture that resonates the depth of this centuries-old metropolis. We noticed the intricate network of bridges, walkways and old staircases.
We stayed at the Travelers World RV Resort, which is located smack in the middle of the River Walk. It provides easy access to the path for walking or biking in either direction. One day we walked from the RV Park all the way to downtown, a moderate effort of 11 miles roundtrip – with a refreshing beer stop along the way at Blue Star Brewery.
Flood management is also critical along the river since a disastrous flood hit in 1921. We saw several impressive flood control structures and learned there is an underground “bypass tunnel” several miles long which aids in flood control.
On another day we biked the southern end of the riverwalk to one of the Missions.
Finally, my blog would be incomplete without mentioning the wild animals which were abundant along the path in both directions.
Lowes Travels 
Looks like we need to visit San Antonio! This sounds similar to the Boise River Green Belt…a lovely trail/path system through the city. Thanks for the info!
Your welcome. We had a good hiking and biking time. Love it.
You missed the snow in Arizona; must be that global warming or something… I didn’t know there was an RV park close by. Would you recommend it? Pros/Cons… Thanks 🙂
We did miss the snow or should I say we left in time before the white stuff.
Pros: Access to river walk if you like to walk/bike ; across the street is the bus stop to go downtown for $1.10; close to the Missions.
Cons: Tight spaces but the park is clean. although the park is not in a nice neighborhood we did not have security issues. There are a lot of repeat/monthly customers who gets the better wide spots.
Great place to visit and such a beautiful walk! We were there several years ago for a long weekend get away. I like that the RV park is centrally located. Looks like some good exercising going on (with those ever necessary “thirst refresher” stops)! Love the turtles!
Because of the access to the river walk trailhead we loved it.
You two sure get around! I’ve never visited Sam Antonio – it looks inviting and interesting. Great post as always. 🙂
Thanks. We became tourist for a few days.
Nice river walk! I have always want to go to Austin City Limits Music Festival that is in October. There should be good music in San Antonio too.
Primo and I are planning a trip to Jasper, Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone and Teton National Parks in September. Did you visit any of those parks while you were in Canada?
No we have not been to that part of Canada (Jasper,Banff,Glacier) but we do plan of visiting it next summer.
If only people in the Philippines could listen and realize that these flood control measurements actually works! Sadly, government don’t pay keen attention on keeping them and people just trash these kinds of important properties. 😦
Love the turtles. 🙂
Agree, the money for the project goes into somebody else pocket.
Ow, and the reflection shot looks like was taken by expert photographer.
Thanks, Im trying to perfect my shots.
Lost my post……Lazy Days in Tampa does not have good wifi…….I think I said something like: I love the turtles…..and all the other stuff too……but especially the turtles. Would love to hear more about the rv park there so close to the action!! Thanks for sharing!
The RV park is actually labelled as in the bad area of San Antonio. But we never experienced any security issues although you are asked to locked your bikes. Tight spots but clean. We liked it just because of its access to the river walk for biking and hiking.
Love the River Walk!!! Have you tried the Segway Tour? It’s a hoot. But you have your bicycles with you… San Antonio is one of our favorite places…I think Im a wee bit jealous!
There is a Segway Tour ? No we did not do it. Hmm I think its time for you to move West.
This was a blast from the past for me. We stayed at Traveler’s World in 2011 at Thanksgiving for a little over 2 weeks and spent most days exercising on the River Walk from the RV resort. We thoroughly enjoyed San Antonio and were able to be there for the Christmas boat parade on the river. Great post and even better photos. Thanks! 🙂
Thank you, the work out part really made our stay enjoyable.
Wow , that’s pretty cool. I kinda heard about the river walk, but didn’t think much of it and never went, doh! Next time. 🙂 Thanks for posting!
If you do like to bike or walk or hike, the riverwalk is awesome. But if you like to be touristy, the downtown reach is fun too.
Thanks for the shout out, Mona Liza. We had a blast showing you around and getting together for happy hour and games.
For a trip to Banff, Icefields Parkway and Jasper, Alberta, we recommend a publication called Mileposts. It tells you about interesting features, hikes, etc. at mileposts along the way. The Canadian Rockies are so awe-inspiring! I’ve been three times.
Susan
We definitely will for we have used it also when we went to AK. Thats the best publication in that area better than GPS.
Staying with access to the riverwalk sounds awesome. Our quick trip through San Antonio a few years back piqued our interest enough to want to go back. Perhaps next winter. Sounds like fun!