Parks
James Kiehl River Bend Park
118 River Bend Road - Comfort, Texas 78013 Google Map
hours 7A to dusk, 7 days
- A serene 25-acre natural area with grassland, woodland, and riparian habitats.
- Learn about Army Spc. James Kiehl in the James M. Kiehl Memorial Grove. The grove features a Texas sandstone monument to James and Kendall County servicemen and women, James' story, and benches and picnic tables under the shade of native pecan trees. This area is ADA approved, including an accessible picnic table.
- 1,634 feet of Guadalupe River frontage provides access to the river for fishing, paddling, swimming, and relaxing.
- Walk along the 1.5 miles of multiuse trails for fun, exercise, and nature study. The Pecan Loop passes under native pecans, mesquites, and cedar elms, and follows over 500 feet of historic San Antonio and Aransas Pass (SA&AP) rail bed. The Prairie Trail winds through the recovering prairie, passing our chimney swift towers and through our bluebird trail. The River Loop leads down to the lower terrace and along the river's edge where awesome bald cypress trees shade the path.
- Our chimney towers replicate swift's native habitat of large hollow trees. Our bluebird nest boxes provide shelter and nests for migrating Eastern bluebirds and native Texas species.
- We placed benches and educational signage along the natural surface trails for rest, reflection, and education.
- In spring the park is covered in a blue blanket of mealy blue sage; in fall, a sea of yellow cowpen daisies.
- We created wildlife habitat brush piles or "critter condos" to provide habitat for a myriad of creatures from insects and lizards to rabbits and birds. The brush piles improve birding and wildlife viewing. On one birding trip over 20 species were seen at the brush piles. Find our brush piles in the southwest corner of the park at the old SA&AP rail bed.
- JKRB is a preferred birding destination in the Hill Country. Birding groups from Kendall, Kerr, Gillespie, and Bexar counties hold bird walks at the park. KCPP and Hill Country Chapter Master Naturalists conduct a monthly bird and wildlife census.
- The park was part of the historical Brownsboro community - site of a shingle-making camp.
- Learn about the park's history, animals and plants that live in the park, "critter condos", grasslands, and the SA&AP railroad at the interpretive kiosk and throughout the park.
- Texas Master Naturalists earned volunteer service credit at JKRB. Project code KL-04-B. Email us to volunteer.
- No Potable Water - Don't forget to bring water for you and your dog. Conventional and ADA accessible latrines are provided.
Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area ( KCNA )
143 Mark Twain Drive - Boerne, Texas 78006 Google Map
hours 7A to dusk, 7 days
- 117 scenic acres along the Guadalupe River containing six habitats: riparian, oak savanna, disturbed woodland/blowdown, open juniper - oak woodland, closed-canopy juniper - oak woodland, and old fiield.
- 1,700 feet of Guadalupe River frontage allows access for river recreation: fishing, paddling, swimming, splashing, and relaxing.
- Hike along three miles of multiuse trails for fun, excercise, and nature study. The Fossil Ridge Loop is an energetic hike into the canyon to view the fossil bank, geologic features, and the tornado blow-down. The North and South Woodland Loops are wide, open routes following utility easements through diverse oak tree species, old-growth juniper, and massive cedar elms. The River Loop leads to shady picnic spots and pleasing views of the Guadalupe. Spurs off the main trails present interesting adventures.
- Fossils, fossils, fossils. Texas geology is on exhibit - many karst and fossil features exist throughout the natural area.
- We designed and constructed three wildlife observation blinds. The blinds offer excellent opportunities to observe and photograph birds, butterflies, and wildlife. The Cuckoo, Chaparral, and Cardinal blinds have seating, camera ports, bird identification books, and enclosed habitat yards. Each blind is equipped with a water catchment system and water features. The blinds are short walks from parking areas. The Cuckoo blind, our largest, is ADA accessible. Please consider contributing to KCPP to help us maintain the blinds and purchase seed and feed.
- The Kronkosky Interpretive Garden is home to nature and historical education and a diverse collection of native and adapted plants. Stroll through the beautiful garden to practice plant identification skills, and learn about native animals and plants, fossils, Texas leafcutter ants, and alien invaders . The garden and adjacent bird blind are ADA approved. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the shady picnic area. Conventional and ADA accessible picnic tables and benches are scattered under the trees.
- Our three bluebird trails provide 18 nest boxes to shelter migrating
Eastern bluebirds and native Texas species. The boxes are monitored and
data are recorded and sent to Cornell's NestWatch. - Texas Master Naturalists earned volunteer service credit at KCNA. Project code KL-04-D. Email us to volunteer.
- No potable water - Don't forget to bring water for you and your dog. Conventional and ADA accessible latrines are provided.
Joshua Springs Park and Preserve ( JSPP )
716 FM 289 - Comfort, Texas 78013 Google Map
under construction - opening 2012
- Opening mid 2012 TBA - pending construction.
- Parks Department Headquarters.
- 365 acres with Little Joshua and Allen Creeks.
- Active and passive recreation areas.
- Extensive trail system.
- Chimney swift towers.
- Birding, native plants, and wildlife viewing.
- Picnic areas.
- Age-progressive play area.
- Pavillions.
- Panoramic views from Ring Mountain.
- Texas Master Naturalists earned volunteer service credit at JSPP. Project code KL-04-C. Email us to volunteer.
Ring Mountain Event Center, a 3,000 square feet facility on the summit of Ring Mountain, may be rented for special occasions, events, or meetings. Call Jen Harbuck to start planning your event. 830-537-3470.