Nearly 20 years ago, when Rod and I first visited the San Antonio, the River Walk was a fun, slightly seedy tourist destination. Since then, two initiatives have extended and beautified this spectacular urban oasis. It now stretches four miles north and nine miles south of the U-shaped downtown section we all remember. Providing access to some of the city’s most precious historical and cultural sites, the pet friendly San Antonio River Walk is one of the most unique parks in the country!

Exploring the Pet Friendly San Antonio River Walk

Our favorite part of visiting the San Antonio River Walk is that it’s entirely pet friendly! Pets must be leashed, of course, and care should be taken in congested areas for the pet’s safety and the safety of other visitors. Please remember to pick up after your pets! Some waste stations and many trash receptacles can be found along the way.

The River Walk open 365 days a year, and most of it can be accessed 24 hours a day. The area through Brackenridge Park closes from 11pm to 5am, and the Mission Reach natural area is closed from dusk to dawn.

King William District

One of our favorite parts of the River Walk is south of downtown in the King William Historic District. Some of the city’s oldest and loveliest historic homes are located here. And you can stroll from River Walk, to street level, and back again, imagining how life might have been in the mid-1800s.

The riverboat tours you’ll see cruising by don’t allow pets, but you and your dog can navigate the river via standup paddleboard at SUP SATX! Located in the King William District, this company offers lessons, tours, and yoga – and your furry pal is welcome to join you.

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Downtown Loop

It’s an easy mosey along the River Walk from the King William District to the downtown area. The Downtown Loop is the most popular section of the River Walk, so it’s where we spend the least time. Ty and Buster don’t like crowds, and if your dog feels the same way, plan your visit for early in the day.

Mornings here are lovely, with lots of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. The gardens in this section of the River Walk shine in a rainbow of colors in the Spring. This area is also where the annual Holiday River Parade and Lighting festival takes place just after Thanksgiving.

If you’re sniffing for a place to eat, and are lucky enough to have a social dog, head over to Rita’s on the River where pets are welcome to join you on the patio.

Pearl District

North of downtown, the River Walk passes through the hip and trendy Pearl District. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood has a nice selection of restaurants, several of which have pet friendly patios. There’s also a grocery store for picnic supplies, interesting boutiques, and a bakery with macaroons to die for! You also find public restrooms and bike rentals here, in case you’d like to explore more of the River Walk than is possible on foot.

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Just 80 miles south of Austin, pet friendly San Antonio is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. Finding pet friendly hotels isn’t a problem – we have more than 125 listed on the GoPetFriendly.com website. And there are also plenty of pet friendly campgrounds to choose from. We hope our experience encourages you to explore pet friendly San Antonio with your furry travel companion!

Gear Used in This Post:
(Affiliate Links)

Alcott Martingale Collar

Alcott Weekender Leash

PAWZ Dog Boots

Freedom No-Pull Harness

Sleepypod Clickit Car Safety Harness

 

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