Entry No. 21 — the San Antonio file — filed under: state-park

Government Canyon State Natural Area — after-dark ranger programs

Rangers run a 'Night Crawlers' invertebrate walk through 13,000 unlit acres of Hill Country canyon, hunting scorpions and moths that fluoresce neon blue-green under blacklight, plus a separate blanket-and-lawn-chair Star Party where the parking lot becomes a naked-eye planetarium — no telescope required, just genuinely dark sky this close to a major city.

The move: Bring a UV flashlight for the Night Crawlers scorpion hunt one month, then come back for the Star Party to trace constellations over the canyon rim with volunteer astronomers pointing out planets.

• 📍 Far West Side / northwest Bexar County
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: tpwd.texas.gov · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-20