I’m definitely a city girl through and through, but nothing beats a little bit of nature to decompress, de-stress, and recharge. This is true for humans and dogs alike. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful parks close to downtown San Antonio. Brackenridge Park, Olmos Park Basin, and McAllister Park are a few of the biggest, but there are even more “pocket” parks hidden away in places you might not expect them. We love finding new trails to explore that are close to home, and one of our recent favorites is Oakwell Trailhead Park along the Salado Creek Greenway.
Tucked away off Austin Highway, this little trailhead offers easy access to peace and quiet. Large oak and pecan trees shelter the trail, providing shade and a buffer against traffic noise. It’s a perfect place for you and your dog to unwind and get a little fresh air.
City of San Antonio Greenway Trails
If you aren’t familiar with the Greenway Trails System, allow me to blow your mind. There is a total of approximately 69 miles of multi-use and accessible trails connecting over 40 major trailheads and neighborhood parks. Salado Creek Greenway is one of the many greenways that make up the Greenway Trails System. It, too, is further subdivided into different sections, and each section has multiple trailheads and access points. There are several lengthy swaths of trail that are perfect for biking, running, or hiking with your dog. The trails are well paved with plenty of poop bag stations and trash cans. Plus, many of the trailhead parks, such as Oakwell, have bathrooms and water fountains for people and pups alike.
Finding Oakwell Trailhead Park
We discovered this tiny trailhead park totally by accident. One day we were driving down Austin Highway and noticed the sign for a greenbelt––wait, what?! “What park was located off Austin Highway?” we wondered. Later that afternoon, we grabbed the dogs and went to check it out. Honestly, we were blown away by what we found: a lush, well maintained trail with plenty of room for cyclists and walkers.
Since that initial visit, we’ve been back several times to explore the trail in both directions. The section to the south isn’t finished, so we definitely recommend hiking north from Oakwell to Tobin Park Trailhead at 410. This section winds its way through woods, and traffic noise is muffled thanks to all the trees. It’s about 1.5 miles long one way, making it a 3 mile walk there and back––perfect for a morning or evening stroll with the dogs.
Oakwell to McAllister Park
If you are keen for a longer walk, or even a bike ride with your dog, you are in luck! You can actually walk from Oakwell off Austin Highway all the way to McAllister Park at Wurzbach Parkway. Altogether, it is about 5.7 miles of beautiful, well maintained trail. As previously mentioned, the Greenway is dotted with trailhead parks, which make great stopping points for water or a bathroom break. From Oakwell you walk to Tobin Park, then on to Lady Bird Johnson Park; from Lady Bird, you continue all the way to McAllister Park! Most of the trail is concrete, but there is a really neat section between Lady Bird and McAllister that is an elevated boardwalk winding through a low water wetland. After a good rain this section can flood, which makes walking the path feel like you are exploring a swamp.
In fact, one of the best things about this trail is the varying scenery. Most of the trail from Oakwell to Lady Bird is shaded by large pecan and oak trees. These trees make you feel like you are out in the wild rather than in the middle of the city! As you head toward McAllister from Lady Bird, the trees fall away and you wind your way through the wetland (or grassland if there hasn’t been rain). This turns into rolling hills before you end up at McAllister Park, the largest green space in San Antonio city limits!
Relax in Nature Without Leaving the City
The thick trees and rolling hills make the trail between Oakwell and McAllister feel much more remote than it is. It’s beautiful, quiet, and very relaxing. You get the feeling of being immersed in nature, but you have all the amenities of being in the city. This includes public restrooms at the trailheads, and plenty of poop bag stations and trash cans along the trail. I recommend packing water, especially in the summer, but the trailhead parks also have water fountains where you can top off. Most of these fountains have a dog fountain attached, too.
Another perk of this trail is it’s a great place for dogs in training. Whether your dog is reactive, nervous, or just working on their obedience skills, the greenway is a safe space. With the exception of a stray dog that had been dumped at Tobin Park, we haven’t had issues with off leash dogs. Although you are sure to encounter cyclists and a few other walkers/joggers, the trail has never been crowded. And, because the trail is wide, it gives you plenty of space to introduce your dog to new things (like cyclists) without putting anyone at risk.
Other Trailhead Parks
Overall, Oakwell Trailhead Park is a great little access point to mother nature. However, it’s definitely not the only trailhead park! As we’ve discussed, there are several trailhead parks along the Greenway. Check out this map to find a trailhead near you. Plus, you can always check out the Greenway Trails website to find another greenway to explore.
What are some of your favorite parks and trails to unwind at in San Antonio? Drop your recommendations in the comments and check out the posts below for more ways to explore the outdoors with your pup!
Author: Blair Salt
Blair is a native San Antonian, committed dog mom, and all around animal lover. She lives in San Antonio with her husband, three rescued dogs, and a rescued cat. You can find her writing about responsible pet ownership over at her dog mom blog, Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend. When not hanging out with her pets, you can find Blair working at the McNay Art Museum, teaching yoga at AC Power Yoga, or cooking up a delicious plant-based meal in her kitchen. Find her on social media @twopupsinapawed!
