Government Canyon State Natural Area has more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that range from remote rugged canyon lands to gently rolling grasslands. Natural Area visitors may enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including, picnicking, hiking, biking, trail running, geocaching, regularly scheduled guided hikes, and ranger programs. Some of the monthly hikes/programs include: Hike the Canyon, Explore the Canyon, and Family Fun. For those looking for a place to go bird watching, Government Canyon is a good place to find the elusive and endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

The Natural Area normally allows overnight camping on Fridays and Saturdays only; additional camping nights are available on many holidays. There are regular walk-in (50-60 yards) campsites, and two group walk-in campsites that allow up to 16 persons per site. The Natural Area is home to the only known dinosaur footprints on public land in Bexar County. The 110-million-year-old tracks are believed to have been left by Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon dinosaurs. Read about the collaboration between Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Witte Museum to showcase these tracks in our news release, Unique Collaboration Reveals Dinosaurs Once Roamed San Antonio.