Stone Oak Park is a small, but scenic park containing exercise stations, a playground, and dog friendly trails. You will find a long trail split apart by Stone Oak Parkway and Evans Road, with loops on either end. Fortunately, there are three separate parking lots in case you don’t want to cross the parkway. The park provides lovely views and alternative methods of activity. It is perfect for hikers, bikers, dog walkers and those interested in outdoor workouts.
Things to Do at Stone Oak Park
- Walk your dog
- Push-ups, pull-ups, situps and other exercises
- Bring your kids to the playground on the south side
- Hike or bike for three miles, one-way
- Checkout the bear cave
- Take in the views of Stone Oak so close to Hill Country
The Stone Oak Park Trail Map is not up-to-date. South of Evans Road it continues through open fields before ending with a loop. You will pass between neighborhoods, one of which is above a cliff. Connecting this trail to Classen Park may be a nice addition one day.
How to Get to Stone Oak Park in San Antonio, TX
Address: 20395 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258
Hours of operation: 5am – 11pm
This dog friendly park contains trails which are easy to navigate. You can park north, or south of Stone Oak Parkway. There is also a lot south of Evans Road next to the middle school. In order to complete the entire trail, you will need to find the loops at either end and do some backtracking. The Stone Oak Park trail is approximately 3 miles long.
The north side of the park looks completely different from the south. Although the trail is paved, it contains rocks which makes it rather bumpy. That being said, the trail is still good for beginners and may work well for running or biking. The trail is short and you may end up backtracking, but it offers some fantastic views. Like the parking areas, most of the amenities are on the north side.
Stone Oak Park Views
This is not a typical nature walk. That may be good or bad, depending on what type of trail you prefer. The view may be surprising because it blends nature with an urban environment.
The very first thing you will notice on the north side of Stone Oak Park is the view. The woods are not nearly as dense in this area making shade harder to find during the day. Many expensive looking residences can be seen from various points along the loop trail.
Follow the trail south of the parkway and you will find some shade along a more enclosed path. Continue to Evans Road and you will travel through a long tunnel. The view will open up once again on the south side of the park. This time, the residences you see will be above a cliff as you pass through a greenbelt. The trail may feel lower, but there isn’t much change in elevation along the trail.
Trail Activities
Park north of Stone Oak Parkway and you will see a small hill as you enter the park. Climb it and you will get a nice view of the Stone Oak area beyond the park. Follow the loop trail on the north side of the park and you will also find a ledge, and a bear cave. Both are off-limits, but you can investigate them as you hike, or bike, the trail.
The bear cave is completely blocked by a steel cage. The sign does not advise getting close to the cage. It also states there may be bones down there. Cool! I’m sure there is something down there because my dog wanted to get a better sniff. Normally I allow her to catalog scents, but this was not one of those times because getting lost in an underground cave was not on the itinerary for the day.
Get Stronger on the Trail with Resistance Training
Options are generally better when it comes to adventuring. If you enjoy working out, this trail is about to get even better. Several areas along the path are dedicated to exercise. There is a pull-up area, push-up area, and a decline bench for performing sit-ups. However, you will find more workout stations on the other side of the parkway.
As a fitness professional, I know for a fact these areas are a great way to improve your muscular endurance. They will also increase your heart rate during a hike which can improve cardiovascular endurance. These are fantastic options to see on a hike!
A couple of areas had no stationary equipment so I assumed they were for improvisation. They may be an opportunity to get some jumping-jacks in, or a round of single leg deadlifts. Perhaps they are dog friendly areas to workout with your dog?
Go Dog Friendly
Stone Oak Park is a great place to walk your dog, or get stronger together. I did not expect the park to be very wooded based on its location. However, the trails do not back to many residences like you see in some parks in San Antonio.
Most of the time you will see homes which are above and off in the distance. This is a great place to get extra activity while enjoying the scenic views. Before entering the loop, head up the hill near the parking area and you will get an excellent view of the park and its surroundings.
The trail is dog friendly with water fountains on the north side. However, there is a sign warning the public of potential interactions with bobcats and other wildlife. We spotted a single doe, and one large paw print near the trail.
The print probably came from a very large dog, but I have no idea which breed. Abbey weighs 60 pounds, and this print is quite a bit larger than hers. There are many good things to see and do along the Stone Oak Trail. This must be one of the better parks in San Antonio, Texas.
