Located in Boerne, this Cibolo Nature Center is perfect for family outings and family photo sessions. There are a few trails but they are short enough so that your family doesn’t need to venture far to find a spot for your photos. Since it’s a nature center, there are lots of wildlife and educational opportunities for little ones to experience (including replica dino footprints).
This park is best for evening golden hour sessions, but mornings are truly magical if you arrive early enough. There are fewer crowds, it’s quiet, and you can take advantage of enjoying the creek after your photo session without worrying about the lack of sunlight. If you aren’t sure if this park is right for your family, here are 5 reasons why you should choose Cibolo Nature Center for your family photo session:
1. Seasonal Beauty
Cibolo Nature Center shines best during the spring through early fall months when the trees are full, the grass is tall, and the creek is flowing. But it’s still beautiful during the colder months when everything, especially the grassy field, has a warm, golden tone. Its one of the few parks that have trees that change colors in the area, too.
2. Golden Hours
Evening Golden Hour lasts a while in the fields at Cibolo but you can enjoy an earlier golden hour at the creek under the canopy of cypress trees. The morning golden hour starts early, but you can enjoy it longer by spending time at the creek.
3. River Access
If you love letting your kids run free in the grass, down dirt trails, or play in the water, then this is the perfect spot for you and your kids. The creek is shallow enough for young kids to play safely. With a low crossing bridge that the creek runs over (when we’ve had enough rain) even babies can safely sit in the water or get their toes wet. The easy water access makes it a favorite spot for summer time photos when you’re trying to stay cool on those warm evenings.
4. Adventurous Families Love It
Families who love letting their kids play and don’t mind them getting dirty (from the dirt trails and playing in the creek) love this park because they don’t have to drive far for a photo session that involves some adventure for their little kids. It’s big enough for kids to run around and not get in the way of other park visitors. There’s no cacti for them to bump into. There’s a lot of variety to keep kids engaged – wildlife, flowers, a pond, the creek, and tall cypress trees means there’s always something new to discover.
This location is best for those who can walk the 1-mile trail from the entrance to the creek, but you don’t have to travel far into the park for beautiful backdrops.
5. Great for Making Core Memories
Kids always have a good time at Cibolo. They won’t feel like they are there to take family photos, because they are playing with their parents, exploring, looking at nature, and ending with playtime in a creek. Kids typically aren’t ready to leave when your photos are at this park.
It’s important when visiting this park that you and your family practice Leave No Trace (LNT) principles to keep the park beautiful and safe for wildlife. You can learn more by reading my blog post about LNT by clicking here.
Will you choose Cibolo Nature Center for your next family photo session?
Check out another park close by that offers similar scenery, Joshua Springs Nature Reserve.
