Government Canyon State Natural Area
About
Government Canyon State Natural Area is a 12,344-acre park in Texas, about 4 miles from the town of Helotes. It is managed by the state park agency, State Park and Recreation. The cooler months are the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in San Antonio show November highs around 74°F with lows near 51°F, while summer highs climb into the 90s and 100s. Climbers will find several areas within about 10 miles, including Red Bluff at 6.7 miles and Main Boulder at 8.7 miles. Paddlers can head to the Medina River, about 10 miles away.
Park size
12,344 acres
Location
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Texas
Data source: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (Protected Areas Database, public domain)
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Oct–Apr. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 65–84°F and lows of 43–62°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the San Antonio/Seaworld, TX weather station, 9 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan65° high43° low
- Feb70° high46° low
- Mar76° high53° low
- Apr83° high59° low
- May89° high67° low
- Jun95° high73° low
- Jul97° high74° low
- Aug99° high74° low
- Sep93° high70° low
- Oct84° high62° low
- Nov74° high51° low
- Dec66° high44° low
Where it is
- Government Canyon State Natural Area · Public land
- Nearest town
- Helotes, Texas · 4.3 mi
- Managed by
- State Park and Recreation
Nearby
- Red BluffRock climbing6.7 mi
- Main BoulderRock climbing8.7 mi
- Right of The BowRock climbing9.2 mi
- Fiesta WallRock climbing9.2 mi
- Left of The BowRock climbing9.2 mi
Medina RiverCanoeingPhoto: Observer12, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)10 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Government Canyon State Natural Area
Best months: October–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
65° / 43°
8 wet
Feb
70° / 46°
7 wet
Mar
76° / 53°
8 wet
Apr
83° / 59°
7 wet
May
89° / 67°
6 wet
Jun
95° / 73°
6 wet
Jul
97° / 74°
5 wet
Aug
99° / 74°
5 wet
Sep
93° / 70°
6 wet
Oct
84° / 62°
5 wet
Nov
74° / 51°
5 wet
Dec
66° / 44°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at San Antonio/Seaworld, TX, 9 mi away at 940 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
