Park Directory
History | Rules | Alcohol | Safety & Police| Reservations
Friedrich Wilderness Park
General Info
| Address: | 21395 Milsa Road, 78256 |
| Website: | San Antonio Natural Areas |
| Hours: | Sunday-Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – sunset Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day |
| Size: | 632.915 acres |
| Amenities: | Outdoor classroom 5.5 miles of hiking trails Trail Map Restrooms and drinking fountains Off-street parking No rentals |
| Notes: | First Saturday Programs Second Saturday Programs Wild Wednesdays Starting Out Wild (for toddlers) Alcohol prohibited Nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds: Black-capped vireo and the Golden –checked Warbler. To protect the habitat for the endangered species: No pets, no fires, no smoking. Pedestrians only, no roller blades, skateboards, scooters or bicycles |
First Saturday Programs
Second Saturday Programs
Wild Wednesdays
Wild Weeks 2013: Nature Inside Out
June 17 - 21 or June 24 - 28, 9 a.m. - noon
Limited to 25 campers
Call 564-6402 to request registration packet or download forms and find more information at www.sanaturalareas.org.
Youngsters ages 7 -12 are invited to explore and celebrate nature at this Ecology Day Camps.. A holistic approach including science, art and writing will guide campers through a variety of engaging, inquiry-driven experiences. Registration is first come, first serve.
Sean Elliot at Friedrich Park Video
About
Friedrich Wilderness Park offers 5.5 miles of hiking with varying degrees of difficulty. It is home for rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching. Perched on the edge if the Balcones Escarpment, Friedrich is a nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds: the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. To protect the endangered species, pets are not allowed. Restrooms and water fountains are found at the entrance to the park. Visitors are encouraged to bring water bottles for longer hikes in warm weather. Rules include no fires, no smoking on trails, and hikers are required to stay on designated trails. Pedestrians only; roller blades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, etc., are not allowed.
Park History
When she died in September 1971, Norma Friedrich Ward bequeathed 180 acres of land on Heuermann Road near Leon Springs to the City of San Antonio for use as a public park. She also gave $100,000 to make improvements to the land. It was Mrs. Ward’s wish that the natural vegetation and native trees and shrubs be protected and that native birds and wildlife be protected and encouraged to use the park as a sanctuary.
The following year, Wilbur Matthews and Glen Martin donated another 52 acres to enlarge the park according to the same guidelines specified by Mrs. Ward.
The park was developed with a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and was dedicated on August 31, 1978.
An outdoor classroom was added in 1998.
Today, Emilie and Albert Friedrich Park features 5.5 miles of hiking with varying degrees of difficulty. It is home to rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching, with nesting sites for two federal listed endangered species of birds: the Black-capped Vireo and the golden-cheeked Warbler. With its 280 acres, the public can enjoy nature trails, including a handicapped accessible trail, and signage and programs that educate visitors about the park’s vegetation and wildlife. The Friends of Friedrich Park provides volunteer support for the park, and the Master Naturalist Program utilizes the park to study soil and water resources, ecology, native Texas Plants, and archaeology.
<<BACK<<BACK TO NATURAL AREAS