Salado Creek Trail

Though the Salado Creek Trail is under construction, four disconnected segments are open (listed below, north to south). Together, these segments combine to offer more than 10 miles of paved pathway on San Antonio's east side.

Segment 1: Huebner Road to Blanco Road This 1.7-mile stretch is one of the trail's most scenic. The pathway traces the Salado Creek through bluffs and hardwood forest. The trail ends at the Voelcker farmstead, an archaeological site and historic set of buildings situated in Phil Hardberger Park. Named after a former San Antonio mayor, the park is an urban green oasis with native grasses and heritage oaks, which will soon offer an ecology center as well.

Segment 2: McAllister Park to Loop 410 Note that construction of the Wurzbach Parkway at Starcrest Drive (Bitters Road) adjacent to McAllister Park currently interrupts this segment of the trail. The construction is expected to continue through the fall of 2012.

This 4-mile section is the longest segment of the trail. Its northern end offers a hilltop view of the city skyline and airport. The path traverses over a scenic wetland area with the Morningstar Boardwalk, named in memory of Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Morningstar, and continues through dense woodlands. Mid-way, a spur will take you to Lady Bird Johnson Park. The trail ends at Los Patios, a shopping and dining area, though a planned route under Loop 410 will soon connect this segment with the next.

Segment 3: Loop 410 to Eisenhauer Road This 2.8-mile pathway offers a well-shaded retreat under towering pecan and oak trees. It begins in the Robert L.B. Tobin Park, a terrific spot for bird-watchers; you may see warblers, buntings, hawks, owls and many other types of birds that call the area home. The park also offers unique faux bois art in its signage, picnic tables and benches. The trail ends at John James Park, named for a surveyor who helped establish the city's boundaries in 1846. The park offers athletic fields, a playground and restrooms.

Segment 4: Covington Park to South Side Lions Park This 2.3-mile path travels through three parks, Covington, Comanche and South Side Lions, offering the traveler many amenities along the route and picturesque views of the forest and creek. The trail is easy with a few gentle slopes and one street crossing to watch for at Roland Avenue.

Segment 1: Parking is very limited on the Huebner (north) end of the trail with only a few on-street spaces available nearby. Parking is available at the south end of the trail near the Voelcker homestead (1021 Voelcker Lane) in Phil Hardberger Park. Segment 2: Plentiful parking is available at McAllister Park (13102 Jones-Maltsberger) and Ladybird Johnson Park (10700 Nacogdoches Road). Segment 3: Parking is available at the north end of Robert L.B. Tobin Park off Loop 410 and at the Oakwell Trailhead off Ira Lee Road, north of Austin Highway. Segment 4: Parking is available at Covington County Park and Comanche County Park off Rigsby Avenue and South Side Lions Park.