Whitewater Rafting near Austin? (Spring, San Marcos: for rent, campsites, live)

[mitchell.glass]

Moving from upstate NY, to Austin area, really soon. We love to raft. any recommendations of where to go white water rafting? any good places within 100 miles?

[Trainwreck20]

Short answer: no

You might catch some fun kayaking on occasion, but for real rafting, you are going to have to head to Arkansas, Colorado, or the Big Bend area in West Texas (500 miles+).

[loves2read]

there are some areas along the San Marcos and Guadalupe river south of Austin
but the rapids are fairly mild and depend on enough rainfall in the summer to keep the rafters afloat
there is some rafting in west TX in Davis Mts but as the poster said--you will likely have to go out of state for real white water

[ssourgirl]

Perhaps not white water rafting but you can do the Texas version.... Tubing! Grab a tube (and one for your cooler) and float on down the Guadalupe river. Its awesome!

[CptnRn]

The upper Guadalupe River, upstream from Canyon Lake. Not usually "white water" except after a heavy rain, but as close as you will find in the area.

Guadalupe Canoe Livery‎
8195 US Highway 281 N
Spring Branch, TX 78070-6224
(830) 885-4671
guadalupecanoelivery.com‎

They rent canoes, rafts and kayaks. Tell them you want to put in upstream from the bridge, they will bus you there. When the water flow is high rafts are a lot of fun and very comfortable and you don't need to paddle much except to steer. When the water flow is low, kayaks and canoes are better because you can paddle them faster. But they are not as comfortable for a day on the water.

They also have campgrounds available, I have not seen them. The farmer who owned the land on the SE corner of the intersection between Hwy 281 and the Guadalupe River used to rent nice shady campsites next to the river there. I don't know if they are still for rent or not.

[MARATA]

The rivers in and around Austin are not called rivers; they are called "lakes". Seriously!

That should give you an idea of how quickly they flow.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by MARATA

The rivers in and around Austin are not called rivers; they are called "lakes". Seriously!

That should give you an idea of how quickly they flow.

I promise you, you don't want to be on the Pedernales River when it is flooding, no lakes there.



I recall reports of people kayaking white water on Barton Creek during floods in the past.

Come-on Rain!!!

[phone man]

Me and my buddies used to ride in an inflatable 2 man boat and raft Shoal Creek during floods in the 80's in our preteen years.

[looking2tex]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

The upper Guadalupe River, upstream from Canyon Lake. Not usually "white water" except after a heavy rain, but as close as you will find in the area.

Guadalupe Canoe Livery‎
8195 US Highway 281 N
Spring Branch, TX 78070-6224
(830) 885-4671
guadalupecanoelivery.com‎

They rent canoes, rafts and kayaks. Tell them you want to put in upstream from the bridge, they will bus you there. When the water flow is high rafts are a lot of fun and very comfortable and you don't need to paddle much except to steer. When the water flow is low, kayaks and canoes are better because you can paddle them faster. But they are not as comfortable for a day on the water.

They also have campgrounds available, I have not seen them. The farmer who owned the land on the SE corner of the intersection between Hwy 281 and the Guadalupe River used to rent nice shady campsites next to the river there. I don't know if they are still for rent or not.

Looks great!!!
Almost 2hrs away, but looks to be well worth the trip!