Leakey is pronounced LAY-key and has been the county seat of the Real County since 1913, is an area of natural beauty with spectacular hill country views. Sometimes referred to as "The Swiss Alps of Texas", area elevations range from 1,500 to 2,400 feet with deep canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers. The Frio River offers anything from whitewater rapids to flats to swimming holes and great fishing.
John Leakey came to Texas in 1847, and he was considered one of the first white settlers in Frio Canyon in 1853. The town of Leakey, Texas was established in 1883 and was named in his honor. He was a successful business man, Indian fighter, and Pioneer. Several markers are located on the courthouse grounds to commemorate the history of Leakey and its founders, John and Nance Leakey.
Real County Courthouse in Leakey, Texas
If you enjoy fishing, boating, bird and wild life watching, camping, horseback riding, cycling, swimming, tubing down the Frio River, or driving through the winding mountain roads, Leakey, Texas is the place for you. Once you visit this wonderful area, your family and friends will want to return as often as possible.
Frio River at spillway.
Leakey has many communities and towns nearby that you can visit within a 30 minute drive. For airplane connections, San Antonio is only 100 miles away or about an hour and half drive. You can fly your own aircraft to the Real County airport. Enjoy the amazing scenery along the way!
Archeological excavations in and around the Frio Canyon have found evidence of Paleo-American, Archaic, and Neo-American occupations. In the historic period, Lipan Apaches, Comanches, and Tonkawas inhabited or migrated through the area.
Local Tourist Attractions
The Rio Frio Landmark Oak - Rio Frio
Visit nearby San Antonio's theme parks: Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio.
Sunset Bat Flights - Concan
Visit Wonder World, a theme park also known as the 1st show cave in Texas, in nearby San Marcos.
State Parks
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Fredericksburg, TX
Hike up the massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. But there’s more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too!
Garner State Park - Cancon, TX
This park has 1419.8 acres of recreational facilities in northern Uvalde County. There are 10 water acres along the Frio River.
Lost Maples State Natural Area - Vanderpool, TX
This area has 2174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, located north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River. Lost Maples has about 200,000 visitors on an annual basis.
Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area - 6 miles NE of Rocksprings
See this unique collapsed cavern. Tours available to the public.
Local Museums
Pioneer Museum - Fredericksburg, TX
Do you think you have what it takes to live in the 1840s? Without smartphones, Facebook, cars, plumbing...?
Vereins Kirche Museum - Fredericksburg, TX
This building is a replica built in 1934 (the original was torn down in the late 1890s), but the Vereins Kirche was the original church, school and fort for the heart 120+ souls that founded Fredericksburg in 1846.
National Museum of the Pacific War (home of the Admiral Nimitz Museum) - Fredericksburg, TX
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the US Pacific Fleet in WWII, was born in Fredericksburg on February 24, 1885. The museum is considered of the one finest museums celebrating the war in the Pacific.
Briscoe-Garner Museum - Uvalde
Named after Texas Govenor Dolph Briscoe and President Franklin Roosevelt's first Vice President, John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner .
Sabinal Canyon Museum - Utopia
Pioneer farm implements and household items, geological and Indian artifact exhibits.
The Real County Historical Museum - Leakey
Celebrating the heritage of Real County for over 100 years.
Lone Star Motorcycle Museum - near Vanderpool
A collection of motorcycles dating from 1910's to the 1980's.
Local Services