Ten Things to Like About Comanche Lookout Park

  • The Tower
  • The View from the Top
The hilltop is the 4th highest point in Bexar County, and provides a wide view of the city to the south.

In addition to the art installation at the hilltop, there is a large abstract sculpture at the Semmes Library.
  • A Variety of Hiking Trails
The park has nearly 4 miles of improved hiking trails, most of which are handicapped accessible.  There are many more miles of unimproved trails interconnecting the park.


Trails are well marked (but do read the map), with water fountains at the hilltop and benches along the way should you overexert.



There are also a series of exercise stations along the Library Loop.


The Natural Native Woods
The park is a "natural" park of native Texas trees and shrubs (OK, there's a few invasive ones, too).  It's a great place to familiarize yourself with live oak, cedar elm, mountain cedar (really a juniper), retama, catsclaw, and more.
  • Kids Playground
  • Semmes Library
The park is immediately adjacent to the Julia Yates Semmes Public Library at the corner of Judson and Nacogdoches Roads.  The library features a large collection of books, public computers, WiFi connections, and two meeting rooms.
  • Birdwatching
The woods are full of birds, but you do need to be still and watch carefully to spot them.  One way to do "bird listening" is with the Merlin app on your smartphone.
  • Plenty of Picnic Spots
  • An Outdoor Classroom
Near the Semmes Library entrance to the park is a small outdoor classroom or amphitheater.  Seating is large limestone blocks, and there is electrical power.


Walk along the improved trails, beginning at the Semmes Library, and you'll see markers representing the Sun and the planets, spaced out at distances proportional to those in space.  Warning!  This model counts Pluto as a planet!
  • And, there are stories that the hill is haunted!