Guadalupe River

Upper Guadalupe Whitewater Rafting

Spring-fed rapids from Hunt to Canyon Lake deliver Class III drops over a steep gradient, unique to this Edwards Plateau river and…

Trophy Trout Fishing (4th to 2nd Crossing)

Cold-water releases from Canyon Dam stock rainbow trout in a 4-mile section above Kerrville, creating a rare Texas trout haven tha…

Texas Water Safari Canoe Race

The "World's Toughest Canoe Race" covers 260 miles from San Marcos confluence to Seadrift in under 100 hours every June, epitomizi…

The stretch from Canyon Dam to New Braunfels packs thousands of tubers into shallow, boulder-dotted waters during low flows under 1,000 cfs, defining Texas river party culture with lazy floats past cypress-shaded banks. Outfitters shuttle tubes for 2-5 hour runs, turning the river into a floating festival of coolers and live music. Summer (Jun-Aug)

Spring-fed rapids from Hunt to Canyon Lake deliver Class III drops over a steep gradient, unique to this Edwards Plateau river and prized by paddlers for limestone chutes and remote wilderness vibes. Runs span 2-12 miles with year-round access when flows hit 300 cfs. Spring (Mar-May)

Cold-water releases from Canyon Dam stock rainbow trout in a 4-mile section above Kerrville, creating a rare Texas trout haven that anglers target with flies amid riffles and deep pools. Winter draws serious fly fishers chasing record breakers. Winter (Dec-Feb)

The "World's Toughest Canoe Race" covers 260 miles from San Marcos confluence to Seadrift in under 100 hours every June, epitomizing Guadalupe endurance paddling through flatwater and tides. Spectators line banks near Gonzales for elite teams battling nonstop. Early Summer (Jun)

Four miles of river frontage in the park feature bluff-backed pools eroded by millennia, perfect for cliff jumps and picnics under towering cypresses, setting it apart as San Antonio's top day-cation splash spot. Trails connect to overlooks for prime viewing. Summer (May-Sep)

Gruene-area put-ins launch multi-day kayak trips down slow-flowing sections with primitive sandbar camps, a rite for self-supported paddlers scouting mileage and gear drops along this beginner-friendly Guadalupe tributary. Guides detail parking and flow strategies. Spring-Fall (Mar-Oct)

This 2.86-mile loop in Guadalupe River State Park winds through oak-juniper hills to river bluffs, spotlighting migratory birds and deer in a Hill Country microcosm unique to the upper Guadalupe's plateau edge. Connects to Cedar Sage for longer treks. Spring-Fall (Mar-Nov)

Scheduled flood releases from Canyon Dam spike flows to 5,000 cfs, unleashing epic surf waves and standing waves that surfers and playboaters chase in the outflow channel below New Braunfels. Monitors track USGS gauges for prime sessions. Spring (Mar-May)

Guadalupe River State Park rangers guide hikes revealing bald cypress ecosystems, erosion-carved bluffs, and wildlife like armadillos, tailored to the river's Balcones Fault transition from plateau to plains. Programs include star parties and journaling.

A 1.2-mile path in the park's Bauer Unit climbs to panoramas of the winding Guadalupe and Hill Country valleys, capturing the river's dramatic bend amid mesquite and grasses. Links to multi-mile networks for immersive exploration. Fall (Sep-Nov)

Reservation-only guided treks adjacent to Guadalupe River State Park traverse pristine slots, caverns, and waterfalls in this wilderness gem, offering rare access to the river's untouched Edwards Aquifer springs. Focuses on fragile karst features. Spring-Fall (Mar-Oct)

Riverside platforms and cabins near New Braunfels base tubing and kayaking trips, immersing guests in the river's cypress canopy and rapids roar, with shuttles for repeat floats. Pandemic-proof outdoor setup shines here. Summer (Jun-Aug)

Interactive displays in Guadalupe River State Park unpack local fauna from deer to otters, using river-sourced specimens and kid-friendly demos to decode the Guadalupe's biodiversity hotspot. Air-conditioned hub for hot days.

Paddle or tube from Gruene's put-ins past this preserved German-Texan town, blending river floats with dance hall stops at the oldest continuously-run spot in Texas for post-paddle live music. Summer (Jun-Aug)

Above Kerrville, wild trout and smallmouth thrive in freestone sections fed by limestone springs, drawing purists to wade narrow runs unique to the Guadalupe's headwaters near Hunt. Winter-Spring (Dec-Apr)

Short 0.26-mile path in the park drops to a cypress-framed river vista, ideal for birders spotting owls and kingfishers in this quiet upper Guadalupe nook. Quick add-on to longer loops. Spring-Fall (Mar-Nov)

Lower Guadalupe sandbars below I-35 invite pull-aside picnics and fires on quiet bends, a low-key tradition for locals escaping New Braunfels crowds. Summer-Fall (Jun-Oct)

Iconic limestone bluffs topped by ancient bald cypresses frame golden-hour shots along park frontage, defining postcard views of the upper river's plateau drama. Fall (Sep-Nov)

13 miles of park trails hug bluffs and creeks paralleling the Guadalupe, with rugged singletrack suited to the area's rocky Hill Country terrain. Spring-Fall (Mar-Nov)

Annual races through town test skills on middle Guadalupe bends, drawing crowds to cheer freestyle kayakers amid historic sites. Spring (Apr-May)

Upper river hikes trace headwater springs bubbling from limestone near Hunt, revealing the aquifer's clear, cold influence on Guadalupe flows. Spring (Mar-May)

Dozens of liveried shuttles ferry tubers from river to parking in a synchronized frenzy, fueling the dam-to-town float frenzy. Summer (Jun-Aug)

Abundant whitetails emerge along park riverbanks, especially Curry Creek, for easy wildlife viewing in this high-density Hill Country corridor. Fall-Winter (Oct-Feb)

Natural wave trains in upper runs like Horseshoe form surf spots for advanced kayakers riding consistent hydraulics. Spring (Mar-May)