Uvalde County

For fun in the sun and a new adventure around every corner, there’s no better place than Uvalde County. Set within the lovely Texas Hill Country River Region, Uvalde County is home to gorgeous, crystal-clear rivers shaded by cypress trees, chalk cliffs, and canyons. The county includes the cities of Sabinal and Uvalde, as well as the communities of Concan, Knippa, Montell, and Utopia. Whether you pick one community or try them all, you’ll be amazed by the tranquility. This dynamic region offers scenic views, outdoor adventures, and all the peace and quiet you could ask for.

The secret has long since been out on this beautiful destination. The first evidence of human habitation dates back to hunters and gatherers in 7,000 B.C. In 1790, Governor Juan de Ugalde defeated a group of Apaches near present-day Utopia, and as a result, the area was dubbed Cañon de Ugalde. A frontier fort was established in 1849 to help secure the area, and soon thereafter, land speculators and merchants arrived to set up towns and businesses. Reading Wood Black of New Jersey was one such entrepreneur. He founded the town of Encina in 1853, and soon successfully lobbied the legislature to organize the area into Uvalde County, with Encina as the county seat. However, there was a slight catch: the county and county seat must share the same name.

Just three years later, the town of Encina was renamed to Uvalde—a misspelling of Ugalde’s name.

You can experience Uvalde County’s history and heritage at one of its first-rate museums and historic sites. See World War II–era aircraft and memorabilia at The Aviation Museum at Garner Field in Uvalde, or visit the Briscoe-Garner Museum and get to know two of the town’s most famous residents: former Vice President John Nance Garner and Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe. The impressive Briscoe Art & Antique Collection, located inside the First State Bank of Uvalde, was assembled by Briscoe and his wife during their travels around the world and is free to view during business hours. If you enjoy historic architecture, don’t miss the Grand Opera House. This 19th-century building is still in operation today and is a must-see landmark in town.

Of course, Uvalde County is best-known for its outdoor appeal, offering visitors the opportunity to unplug and immerse themselves in Hill Country nature. The Frio, Nueces, and Sabinal Rivers offer endless adventure, from tubing and kayaking to swimming and fishing. As many as 350,000 people visit Garner State Park each year. They come to camp on the Frio, hike, bike, geocache, and take in the stunning cliffs and fall foliage. Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars to scan the brushy treeline of some of the Hill Country’s native birds. Enjoy the park, then keep your eyes to the sky and witness 12 million Mexican free-tailed bats ascend into the evening sky at the famous Frio Bat Cave. In addition to its natural wonders, you’ll find a wealth of golf courses in Uvalde County, such as the Frio Valley Ranch Golf Club and the nine-hole Utopia Golf Course seen in the film Seven Days in Utopia.    

Beyond all the spectacular outdoor areas and fascinating historic sites, Uvalde County has a thriving music scene. Venues across the county, like House Pasture Cattle Company, Joe Jimmy’s, and The Blue Flame, host live concerts all summer long. Hosted in a natural amphitheater, UTOPIAFest is a one-of-a-kind festival in which only 2,000 tickets are sold, so you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy the show.

So when you start feeling hemmed in by life in the concrete jungle, it’s your cue to escape to beautiful Uvalde County. Before long, you’ll be drifting down a crystal-clear river, tracing constellations in the starry night sky, and letting the hustle and bustle of city life fade away.