Park History

The CCC Built Garner State Park in the 1930s

Depression-era workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built most of what you see at Garner State Park between 1935 and 1941.

Real County History & Culture

CCC Company 879 built the roads, trails, cabins, and the limestone-and-cypress combination building that still stands today. The park opened on June 1, 1941, and was named for John Nance Garner, a Uvalde native who served as U.S. vice president from 1933 to 1941.

The Magers family, German immigrants, originally opened part of their land for camping in the 1920s. Local citizens later acquired more land and brought in the CCC to develop it. The combination building, with its covered dance floor overlooking the Frio River, has hosted summer dances for decades. You can read more about the park's history at tpwd.texas.gov.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Garner State Park History

More Real County notes

Property Tax

Who Handles Property Tax in Real County

The Real County Appraisal District in Leakey values all property and handles exemption applications, while separate taxing units set their own rates.

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Water & Wells

Real County Has Its Own Groundwater District

If you plan to drill a water well in Real County, you must deal with the Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, which regulates groundwater use in the area.

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State Park

Garner State Park: Hill Country Swimming on the Frio

Garner State Park sits along 2.9 miles of the Frio River and draws large crowds in summer — reservations are essential.

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River Access

Floating the Frio: What the Law Says About River Access

The Frio River rises in Real County and much of it is a public waterway, but you cannot cross private land to reach it without permission.

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