Did you know that Cibolo Creek at Primitive Trail near Universal City offers one of the longest hikes on public land in this part of San Antonio? The route runs from Universal City Park to Veterans Park. It’s just north of State Highway 78. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is also nearby.
The main trail at Cibolo Creek Primitive Trail is a mix of concrete and gravel. It runs 1.7 miles. This makes for a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike. There are 3.4 miles of trails total. This includes the main trail and its loops. There are also offshoots to explore at Cibolo Creek Primitive Trail.
Cibolo Creek Primitive Trail follows Cibolo Creek. This creek is the dividing line between Bexar and Guadalupe counties in that area. Cibolo Creek rises northwest of Boerne. It flows 96 miles to the southeast. Eventually, it meets the San Antonio River in Karnes County. Cibolo Creek is a significant tributary.
Easy creek access is a selling point of Cibolo Creek Primitive Trail. You can see interesting limestone rock formations. They are along the creek bed. The trails are passable for mountain bikes. However, it won’t be too exciting.
Disc golfers might know this trail system well. There is an 18-hole course. It winds through the woods. It also goes along the creek. One review describes it as a mix of open and elevated shots. Some holes are tight.
Native Americans called the creek Xoloton. This was in Coahuiltecan. The Tonkawa called it Bata Coniquiyoqui. Spanish explorers gave the creek Catholic names. This happened during visits in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Europeans, especially Germans, later settled the area. The nearest stop was named Cibolo Valley. This happened when the railroad arrived in 1877. Cibolo is a Spanish word. It means American bison. Herds of these plains giants roamed the creek’s banks. Some reports say steep banks were used as buffalo jumps. Native Americans drove bison off cliffs. This killed them efficiently.
The Universal City Caves are a highlight. They are a set of small grottoes. They are in a cliff bank. The Cave Trail branches off the main route. Graffiti covers some of the cliff rock.
Cibolo Creek can experience epic flooding. This includes the downpours of 1998 and 2002. In 2013, an 18-year-old boy drowned. He tried to cross the creek.
Steer clear of this park when rain is in the forecast. Flash floods and mud are hazards. Pick a bright clear day. Then, the heat will make you want the shadows of the forest.