Leakey Road Trip
Leakey is a charming small town in the Texas Hill Country located on the Frio River. It’s a great place to escape and relax from city life, as well as being an outdoor paradise with numerous activities available. A visit to Downtown Leakey will provide visitors with plenty of unique experiences and attractions.
Leakey offers something for everyone, whether it’s exploring the Frio River, participating in water sports or simply taking in the breathtaking views of nature. Those interested in camping can find many sites to choose from within walking distance of downtown, while other travelers may enjoy visiting local restaurants and shops that offer everything from home-cooked meals to handmade crafts. The area also features a number of historical sites for those looking for more cultural immersion into this region’s history.
Downtown Leakey
Downtown Leakey is a great place to explore and discover all sorts of fun activities. One of the most popular attractions is the Frio River, which offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, tubing, and fishing. You can also take a leisurely stroll along the river’s banks and take in the beautiful scenery.
If you’re looking for something a bit more active, why not check out some of the area’s fantastic hiking trails? There are several trails to choose from, ranging from beginner-level hikes to challenging treks through rugged terrain. No matter your skill level, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.
In downtown Leakey Texas, there are shops and stores to browse through. While you are there, be sure to visit the antique shop owned and run by my husband’s Aunt Betty. It is called The General Store. Betty Smith has great taste and always carries new things. There are some wooden bird feeders and other woodcrafts for sale out in front of the store made by my father-in-law, John Schulze. If you enjoy rustic wood and metal crafts, be sure to stop by.
The General Store is located on Highway 83 and is always crowded in the summer. My mother-in-law, Ann Schulze, sometimes helps her sister behind the counter when it gets really busy.
After shopping, you will want a snack. Go right across the street to the convenience store called Frio Canyon Exxon for some soda and pizza. Linda and Will run a nice place to eat and you can fill up your car as well.
Right next door is the Cold Creek Canyon Company. They offer massages, haircuts, facials, and manicures.
Finally, Downtown Leakey is home to several charming restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat or relax with a cup of coffee. Whether you’re in the mood for delicious Mexican cuisine or a hearty steak dinner, there’s something for everyone in Downtown Leakey!
Rio Frio River
Make reservations to rent a cabin early in the year as they all fill up by the summer. I recommend Crider’s Frio River Resort. The owners are friends of ours and they are good people. While you are there, be sure to stop by Bonnie’s Bakery for the best baked goods around! Bonnie’s cinnamon rolls are to die for!
There are many other cabins around the town and along the river to be rented. There are also some motels that you can stay in. Just call ahead because they really do get booked up in the summer. The Chamber of Commerce will give you information on a lot of local Leakey businesses.
Leakey Restaurants
There is no five-star cuisine in or near Leakey but you won’t starve. There are some pretty good eateries in downtown Leakey Texas. Frio Canyon Lodge is a good place to eat. The locals enjoy eating there so you know it is good.
The best eatery around, in my opinion, is only open in summer. It is in the town of Concan, a place called Neal’s on Highway 127, several miles down Highway 83 from Leakey.
Beautiful Garner State Park is just 9 miles south of Leakey. Take US Highway 83, turn east on FM 1050 for 2/10 of a mile to Park Road 29 to enter Garner. You can camp there or just go for the day. Swim in the Frio River, hike, just enjoy the beauty. It is an incredible place to visit. I love it there.
If you are in Leakey on a Sunday morning and you want to worship, I suggest attending Church In The Valley right on US Highway 83. The service starts at 10:45 am. This is a non-denominational church in a beautiful new facility. My children sing and play there when we visit on Sunday mornings. You will enjoy the warmth of Christ’s love there.
If you need prescription medication or you want to visit some bigger stores, you will have to drive 40 miles one way to Uvalde. There is no Walgreen’s or Wal-Mart close by.
They have terrific lunches and dinners in a rustic camping lodge-type facility. They have a really neat dining area and the food is pretty decent. Neal’s also has cabins to rent.
Events
The biggest event of the year in Leakey Texas is the July Jubilee. This happens during the week of the 4th of July. There is a big parade and craft fair as well as a street dance and a rodeo unless these events are rained out. It does happen occasionally. Sometimes the parade is actually on the 4th but it is usually on the Saturday before or after the 4th. You can check for the exact date on the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce website.
You can get a deer lease for hunting from some of the local ranchers in the fall. Many of the ranches have cabins to rent while you hunt.
Christmas is a pretty big deal in Leakey Texas as well with the lighting of the courthouse and a visit by Santa in early December.
Garner State Park
Garner State Park is nine miles away from Leakey and is a great place to camp or to spend the day in the Frio River. It is just 9 miles south of Leakey. Take US Highway 83, turn east on FM 1050 for 2/10 of a mile to Park Road 29 to enter Garner. You can camp there or just go for the day. Swim in the Frio River, hike, just enjoy the beauty.
This park was named after Vice President John Nance Garner who was in office while FDR was president. Garner was born in Uvalde, which is 40 miles away.
The park opened in 1934 and has 1419.8 acres (10 water acres of the Frio River) of recreational facilities in northern Uvalde County, right next to Real County, where Leakey is.
There is a snack bar. The biggest attraction inside the park is swimming in the Frio. It is a great way to spend the day. Camping there is so much fun. Get up, eat breakfast, and hit the river all day long. You and your kids will love it.
There is also hiking bike riding, and rock climbing. In recent years, several people have fallen to their death off of a very steep rock wall in the park.
Wildlife abounds in this beautiful park. There are White-tailed and Axis deer, Rio Grande Turkey, Morning Dove, Eastern Bluebirds, Golden-cheeked Warblers, Black Rocks Squirrels, Fox Squirrels, Raccoons, and many other animal species.
If you are interested in looking at trees, the park has Mesquite, Texas Red Bud, Bald Cypress, Western Ash Juniper, Spanish Oak, Lacey Oak, Texas Madrone, Cedar Elm, and Pecan, as well as Mountain Laurel and Agarita shrubs.
Garner State Park is open year-round but you will not want to swim except in the heat of summer. The river is called the Frio which means cold and it is.
Here are directions to the park: The park is located in Uvalde County, 31 miles north of the town of Uvalde, 9 miles south of Leakey, or 8 miles north of Concan on the Frio River. From US Highway 83, turn east on FM 1050 for .2 miles to Park Road 29 to the new entrance.
Admission used to be per carload for day use but now it is $6 per person which is a bit outrageous, especially if you have a big family. Camping rates are different and all rates are subject to change. Have a great time at Garner State Park.
Leakey July Jubilee
The Leakey July Jubilee is the town’s Fourth of July celebration, complete with a parade, an arts and crafts fair, a street dance, and a rodeo. It is a time to spend with family and friends and lots of tourists. My family and I have attended many times over the years in Leakey Texas. Of course, when my husband was a boy, he went every year. The arts and crafts fair is held on the lawn by the courthouse and there is always a good number of booths, many from out of town. There is always a lot of food and cold drinks to keep you cool in the heat.
The street dance is held from 8 pm to midnight on the Leakey Courthouse square downtown. The Leakey Courthouse is pictured above. The rodeo is usually held after the parade. The parade starts at 10 am.
The Leakey July Jubilee is usually held on the weekend, as close to the 4th of July as possible. The street dance in Leakey Texas is usually on Friday or Saturday night close to the Fourth of July at 8pm.
The kids will love the rodeo. Of course, there is a charge for this as well, but everyone enjoys it. There is still plenty of time to go tubing down the beautiful, clear Rio Frio River and yes, it really is cold. The cold feels fabulous in the heat of July. Every cabin and motel room in the area is completely booked for this important weekend so make your reservations months in advance if you are not fortunate enough to have relatives who live in Leakey.
The parade is the old-fashioned kind that I used to go to as a kid, where they throw candies and necklaces out to the kids and the whole town takes pride in it. Many merchants participate, as well as students and former students of Leakey Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. My mother-in-law was part of the basketball team when she was in high school and about 6 years ago her old team marched in the parade. They had a blast.
One thing not to expect–fireworks. For some reason, Leakey Texas never has a fireworks display for the July Jubilee. However, many residents and tourists go to fireworks stands on the way to Leakey and buy their own. They set them off the whole weekend. We have done this but to me, it is more fun to sit on a blanket and watch the fireworks display like I used to watch in New York State when I was growing up! You will have a great time in Leakey Texas.
For 2011, the Leakey July Jubilee is from July 1 through July 3. This year, the street dance will be held on Friday night from 8pm until midnight in the downtown square. The cost per person is $5.
On Saturday morning, the Arts and Crafts show starts at 8am. Merchants, both local and from around the country will be there on the square with a wonderful assortment of handmade goods and goodies to eat. The parade starts at 10am. Be sure and bring chairs and cold drinks as it gets miserably hot out there in July. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen on. Make the kids wear hats to cover their delicate scalps from the burning sun.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights of that week at 8pm, there will be a rodeo with Bareback, Calf Roping, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling, and Ladies Barrel events.
Christmas On The Square
Sometime late in November, on a Saturday, Leakey has Christmas On The Square of the Courthouse. Santa comes, there is an arts and crafts show, and children of all ages are happy.
In addition to Santa, Mrs. Claus also makes the trip down from the North Pole to Leakey to visit with all of the good boys and girls.
Bring your money to buy handmade crafts for everyone on your Christmas list. Bring money to buy food at food booths as well. Visitors are always welcome at these community events so if you will be in the area, be sure and take your children to meet Santa and get some Christmas shopping done!
The locals decorate downtown Leakey with Christmas decorations and lots of sparkling lights and bring in their families from all over the area for excitement. Dress in your Christmas best and bring your camera to capture a photo of your children with Santa and his wife. Your children will love this day.
There is normally a Christmas lighting decoration contest in December so there should be lots of lights up for you to see as you drive around Frio Canyon. Have fun.
Later in December, the Leakey Independent School District puts on a Christmas musical for the entire community. Sometimes, the local churches have cantatas or Christmas plays for the whole community to enjoy.
Check the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce for the specific scheduling each year.
San Antonio to Leakey
San Antonio to Leakey is a relatively short drive of about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The most direct route is to take US-281 N out of San Antonio, then turn onto TX-41 W for the remainder of the trip.
Along the way, you’ll pass through some beautiful Hill Country scenery and have plenty of opportunities to stop and explore. Some popular attractions include Garner State Park, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and Medina Lake. If you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, consider taking a detour down FM-337 towards Vanderpool – it’s a winding road that passes through some gorgeous canyons and valleys.
No matter which route you choose, be sure to bring plenty of snacks and drinks for the journey!