With over 200,000 miles of Texas rivers and streams, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a Texas river or stream for a canoeing, tubing, rafting, or kayaking or for a picnic, fishing, or swimming. This list of the best Texas Rivers and Streams is thanks to Texas Monthly and several other sources.
We have also included Texas Outside’s favorite streams and rivers for canoeing and kayaking as well as cammping and tubing. You’ll also find swimming holes, campgrounds, cabins, places to tube or raft class III rapids along most of these rivers and streams.
Check out Texas Outside’s Kayaking & Canoeing Page to find more information on Kayaking in Texas.
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Best Texas Rivers For Kayaking, Tubing, and Canoeing
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Blanco River Nearest City: Wimberley Section: Pleasant Valley Crossing to Wayside Drive Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 9.5 miles, 3-5 hours |
The sharp hills and steep valleys of this Hill Country river is wild and beautiful. You can only go down this river under flood conditions which is dangerous and there are boulders to navigate. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids Resources: None Something Special: Try the Leaning Pear |
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Brazos River Nearest City: Mineral Wells Section: Texas Hwy 16 to FM 4 Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 20 miles, 2-3 days |
This is scenic North Texas Hill Country with deep valleys and rolling topography for that rustic feel. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: Shuttle service and boat rental from Rochelle’s Canoe Rental, 940 659-3341 Something Special: Rest at the Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch |
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Buffalo Bayou Nearest City: Houston Section: Memorial Park by Woodway Bay Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: 3 miles, 1-3 hours |
This Bayou passes right thru the center of the city and is great fun to drift down. You will see native flora along the banks of this 26 mile paddling trail. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Kid Friendly Resources: Tours by Buffalo Bayou Partnership Something Special: Shandy’s Cafe has a great spinach-artichoke turkey burger |
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Canadian River Nearest City: Canadian Section: North River Rd, US 83 to Texas Hwy 70 Difficulty: Effortless Length & Duration: 22 miles of driving, 1 hour minimum |
This is spectacular scenery along the 22 mile stretch of rolling grassland & limestone mesa. The bird watching is very popular as well as duck hunting, and ATVs enjoy the designated areas.
Activities: Kid Friendly Resources: None Something Special: Visit the Cattle Exchange for the famous bread pudding and their steak and fries are good, too. |
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Colorado River Nearest City: Austin Section: Lady Bird Lake, Mo-Pac to Red Bud Isle Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: 4 miles, 1-3 hours |
The north bank of this section of the Colorado River is almost free of development while on the other side you will see tall cliffs with cedars obscuring the mansions. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Kid Friendly Resources: Rowing lessons and boat rental from the Rowing Dock, 512 459-0999 and Texas Rowing Center, 512 467-7799 Something Special: The downtown Whole Foods have everything from coffee to tacos |
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Devils River Nearest City: Del Rio Section: Baker’s Crossing, Hwy 163 to Blue Sage subdivision Difficulty: Hard Length & Duration: 23 miles, 2-3 days |
They call this a pool-and-drop river that runs through rugged terrain. The gray-blue water, the rocky hills are a little greener, and the banks are lined with trees. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: Devils River Outfitters, 830 395-2133 Something Special: Sleep well at Who Cares B&B |
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Frio River Nearest City: Uvalde Section: Garner State Park to Concan Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 12 miles |
There’s magnificent hiking along the Garner State Park Trail, and Seven Bluff is an interesting thing to observe while you’re here. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Hiking, Overnite Camping Resources: For more information on what to see and do, visit Texas Outside’s Frio River Page Something Special: Don’t leave Frio River without visiting Garner State Park |
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Guadalupe River Nearest City: Bulverde Section: Nichol’s Landing to FM 311 Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 5.4 miles, 2-4 hours |
This extremely popular river moves high limestone bluffs, through avenues of bald cypress and a number of rapids that can be a thrill if the river is running. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Tubing, Rapids, Kid Friendly Resources: Boat and tube rental and shuttle from Guadalupe Canoe Livery, 830 885-4671 Something Special: Pizza is great at the 46th Street Pizzeria |
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Medina River Nearest City: Kerrville Section: FM 2107, 5 miles west of Texas Hwy 16 Difficulty: Effortless Length & Duration: N/A |
Tall cypress trees shade a long pool on the south side of the bridge that is deep enough for swimming and snorkeling in this out of the way Hill Country spot. Activities: Tubing, Kid Friendly Resources: None Something Special: The reward is the river; bring a picnic and stay awhile longer |
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Navasota River Nearest City: Mexia Section: Fort Parker State Park to Confederate Union Grounds State Historic Site Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: 5 miles, 2-4 hours |
This area is at one end of the Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail which boasts great views of the sun setting over the mini limestone bluffs. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Kid Friendly, Overnite Camping Resources: None Something Special: Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken |
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Neches River Nearest City: Woodville Section: US 69 to Recreational Road 255 Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 18.5 miles, 2 days |
This river winds through dense hardwood bottomlands & deep pine forests with sand banks. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: None Something Special: Try the catfish at Elijah’s Cafe |
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Pecos River Nearest City: Comstock Section: Pandale to the boat ramp at US 90 Difficulty: Hard Length & Duration: 60 miles, 5-7 days |
The Pecos offers towering bluffs, deep pools, challenging rapids and isolation. The landscape includes treeless ranches and dusty oil fields with rocky gray mesas. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: Emilio Hinojosa’s Shuttle and Towboat Service Something Special: Enjoy a Tecate and seafood at Las Playas |
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Rio Grande Nearest City: Lajitas/Terlingua Section: Rancherias to Lajitas through Colorado Canyon Difficulty: Hard Length & Duration: 24 miles, 6-9 hours |
There’s the light limestone of the lower canyons, the red, black and gray rock walls of the Santa Elena Canyon – sheer cliffs and unparralled scenic beauty. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: Shuttle and guide service from Big Bend River Tours, 432 371-3033 Something Special: Try the chili at the Starlight Theatre |
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San Antonio River Nearest City: Goliad Section: US 59 to Goliad State Park Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: 6.6 miles, 2-4 hours |
This river has cut a deep channel into the sandy, oak covered plain.
Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Tubing, Overnite Camping Resources: None Something Special: Ervie Jay’s provides the area entertainment |
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San Marcos River Nearest City: Luling Section: US 90 to Zedler Mill Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: 6 miles, 2-4 hours |
This meandering river is gentle but offers a few riffles and the cows stare down at you from the grassy pastures.
Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Kid Friendly Resources: Kayak & Canoe Rentals from Paddle With Style Something Special: Treat yourself to barbecue at City Market or Luling Bar-B-Que |
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South Llano River Nearest City: Junction Section: South Llano State Park to Schreiner Park Difficulty: Easy Length & Duration: .5 Miles, 2-3 hours |
The river banks on the east side are steep limestone hills and on the west are fields of crops and cattle. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking, Rapids, Overnite Camping Resources: South Llano River Canoes and Kayaks, 325 446-2220 Something Special: Wonderful chicken fried steak at Isaacks in Junction |
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Trinity River Nearest City: Wallisville Section: Cedar Hill Park on Lake Charlotte Rd Difficulty: Moderate Length & Duration: 6-7 miles, 4-5 hours |
Cypress trees dominate the landscape. If you make your way across Lake Charlotte and along Mac Bayou to the Trinity, you will have crossed three ecosystems. Activities: Canoeing & Kayaking Resources: Tours through Houston’s Sierra Club Something Special:Picnic by Lake Charlotte |
Texas River Information and Links |
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| Kayaking & Canoeing Page | All about kayaking and canoeing in Texas – rentals, guides, equipment, trips, etc. |
| Texas River Flow | Real-time Texas river data typically recorded at 15-60 minute intervals to help you in planning your trip |
| Texas Fly Fishing | Fly fishing, fly guides and rivers to fly fish |
| John Ross Guadalupe River | “Trout Unlimited’s guide to America’s 100 best trout streams” The Guadalupe is 88 in the list |
| Texas Outside Fishing Page |
Lots of good information on fishing in Texas
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Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
