New natural area northwest of San Antonio set to open in 2026 The 3,814-acre ranch will feature camping, backpacking, hiking and mountain biking for visitors
Renderings of the new Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area (Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released renderings of a new natural area just northwest of San Antonio that is set to open next year.
The Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area will offer camping, backpacking, hiking and mountain biking for visitors.
The 3,814-acre ranch is located at 7690 Highway 46 West, near the town of Pipe Creek.
The Kronkoskys began buying land in the area in 1946. In 2011, the land was donated to TPWD.
The natural area will help in conservation efforts of animals and reptiles found in the area. TPWD said they have found several rare or endangered Hill Country species on the land, including the golden-cheeked warbler, alligator lizard, sycamore-leaf snowbell, big-toothed maple, Boerne bean and Texas spring salamander.
The park is set to open to the public in the fall of 2026.
Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
Robb Elementary victims’ families prepare for trial of former Uvalde CISD officer ▶ 0:44
Robb Elementary victims’ families prepare for trial of former Uvalde CISD officer
San Antonio family warns against celebratory gunfire after 9-year-old son hit by stray bullet ▶ 0:49
San Antonio family warns against celebratory gunfire after 9-year-old son hit by stray bullet
Financial experts advise tackling holiday debt early as new year begins ▶ 1:11
Financial experts advise tackling holiday debt early as new year begins
New year starts violently in San Antonio ▶ 0:44
New year starts violently in San Antonio
High-profile court cases set to dominate 2026 in Bexar County, South Texas ▶ 1:43
High-profile court cases set to dominate 2026 in Bexar County, South Texas
Attorney Nico LaHood speaks about Robb Elementary case involving client Adrian Gonzales ▶ 0:17
Attorney Nico LaHood speaks about Robb Elementary case involving client Adrian Gonzales
Tenants describe Universal City apartment as ‘uninhabitable,’ say there’s no heat, hot water ▶ 0:53
Tenants describe Universal City apartment as ‘uninhabitable,’ say there’s no heat, hot water
New Texas laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2026 ▶ 1:01
New Texas laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2026
Social Security recipients get a 2.8% cost-of-living boost in 2026, average of $56 per month ▶ 0:59
Social Security recipients get a 2.8% cost-of-living boost in 2026, average of $56 per month
🎆Drone footage shows miles of fireworks going off in San Antonio during New Year's Eve celebrations ▶ 1:00
🎆Drone footage shows miles of fireworks going off in San Antonio during New Year's Eve celebrations
Body found at landscaping company during search for missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos ▶ 0:52
Body found at landscaping company during search for missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos
New drinks and food at the Frost Bank Center ▶ 1:23
New drinks and food at the Frost Bank Center
Bexar County sheriff says body found during search for missing teen ▶ 0:34
Bexar County sheriff says body found during search for missing teen
Sights and sounds: USC, TCU fans tailgate before Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio ▶ 1:13
Sights and sounds: USC, TCU fans tailgate before Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio
What you need to know about a fake Mega Millions scam ▶ 0:54
What you need to know about a fake Mega Millions scam
How a free University Health program seeks to help manage patient medication intake ▶ 1:25
How a free University Health program seeks to help manage patient medication intake
Here’s how to recycle Christmas trees, lights in San Antonio ▶ 1:14
Here’s how to recycle Christmas trees, lights in San Antonio
Deputy who brought fast food to inmate, officer charged with DWI top list of law enforcement arrests ▶ 3:15
Deputy who brought fast food to inmate, officer charged with DWI top list of law enforcement arrests
How to protect your pets during cold weather in South Texas ▶ 2:11
How to protect your pets during cold weather in South Texas
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:48
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods
Woman arrested, accused of fatally shooting man in west Bexar County, sheriff says ▶ 1:51
Woman arrested, accused of fatally shooting man in west Bexar County, sheriff says
From Hill Country flooding to Bexar County wildfires, here are the Top 5 weather events of 2025 ▶ 2:16
From Hill Country flooding to Bexar County wildfires, here are the Top 5 weather events of 2025
US Army veteran from Texas credits wilderness therapy for helping adjust to civilian life ▶ 0:55
US Army veteran from Texas credits wilderness therapy for helping adjust to civilian life
FBI warns of ‘modern-day terrorism’ as Texas-born extremist group targets youth online ▶ 1:41
FBI warns of ‘modern-day terrorism’ as Texas-born extremist group targets youth online
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:48
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods
Previous photo Next photo