Crownridge Canyon

This canyon is part of San Antonio’s watershed open areas. Just outside of 1604 and off of Babcock, Crownridge Canyon Park offers a lower loop 1.2 mile paved option (not completely smooth), plus an additional .7 mile upper loop. Together, you get about 1 1/2 miles of trail.

This natural area was set aside as part of the Edwards Aquifer Protection area. It offers a nice place to experience the natural state of this area, in the middle of a lot of new development. Here is a trail map from the City of San Antonio: Crownridge Canyon Trails

This park is almost always bypassed by people as they go to Freidrich Wilderness Park. But Crownridge Canyon is definitely worth a stop to run or hike. This park does not get a lot of use. It is usually quiet and parking is almost always available. There are restrooms, but you should bring your own drinking water.

The lower loop is paved, and will have you climbing a bit. It is half up then half down, whether you go clockwise or counterclockwise. Near the top of the lower loop you can head off the paved trail to run the upper loop where roots, rocks and hills will great you. The upper loop is not too long (.7 miles), so it is a good place for beginners to try out their legs, or for hikers to have a bit of a challenge. The trail is very scenic, and you will see lots of cedar, yucca, and in some places the trail is totally covered by canopy.

I have seen deer here pretty frequently. A warning sign at the entrance warns of snakes and wild hogs, but I have seen neither here.

One of my fun runs is to combine this run (both loops, 1 1/2 miles) with a run around the Luskey/Babcock loop. With the nice sidewalks on that loop plus the trail, you get almost exactly a 5k.

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