Kronkosky Natural Area Set for Late Fall 2026 Opening Between Boerne and Bandera

The Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area (ABK), a 3,814-acre property straddling Bandera and Kendall counties along Highway 46 between Boerne and Bandera, is targeting a late fall 2026 opening, according to site superintendent Stephanie Kwiatkowski. Kwiatkowski, who took the role in June, discussed the project on a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, New Texas State Park Near Boerne: Why It Isn't a Park | ABK, hosted by Justin McKenzie.

The site is designated a state natural area rather than a state park, a distinction under the Texas Administrative Code that emphasizes conservation over recreation. Kwiatkowski described the designation as a spectrum between recreation and conservation, noting that the site owns both sides of the canyons, safeguarding the viewshed. “That view, that viewshed, it is safeguarded for, um, forever,” she said.

When it opens, ABK will offer 28 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, joggers, and strollers. Plans also include cabins, screened shelters, tent sites, backcountry camping, and hike-and-bike infrastructure. Construction crews, subcontractors, and a six-person site team are preparing these amenities for public access.

The natural area features bigtooth maples that rival those at Lost Maples State Natural Area, riparian corridors along Red Bluff Creek and Pipe Creek, and transition zones between ash juniper woodlands and creek bottoms. These ecological characteristics justify the protective designation.

Operational lessons have already emerged. A July 2026 flooding event washed out landscaping, trails, and campsites before any public visitation, according to the episode. The site team has had to address those impacts ahead of the opening.

Kwiatkowski credited the volunteer corps assembled by founding superintendent James Rice, a former biologist, calling the relationships “integral to our success as a site.” Rice previously appeared on The Building Texas Show while the land was still in survey and planning.

For the Hill Country region, the opening represents more than a new outdoor destination. State natural areas can draw visitors who support local businesses—outfitters, restaurants, lodging, and retail—along the Highway 46 corridor between Boerne and Bandera. The project also reflects sustained public investment in conservation infrastructure, with trails and camping facilities designed to accommodate both day-use and overnight guests.

The Building Texas Show, which spotlights the people, places, and projects shaping Texas communities, has followed ABK from planning through construction. The program is available at The Building Texas Show and publishes new episodes weekly.

As Texas continues to grow, the balance between recreation and conservation will remain a pressing issue for communities near public lands. ABK's late fall 2026 target offers a case study in how state agencies, local volunteers, and construction teams coordinate to open a significant natural resource while preserving the landscape that makes it distinctive.