Here is a list of some of the best Texas Rivers for tubing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming. Give them a try. May and September are great months for fun on the river. You need to pay close attention to stream-flow data to help you plan your camp and river trips. Texas offers plenty of choices for tubing, rafting, kayaking, or canoeing whether you are looking for a slow easy float or some exciting whitewater.
You know how much fun these popular rivers can be, but if you’re looking for a river that’s fun, more isolated, and scenic then check out this list of 5 somewhat secret and isolated Texas Rivers.
| Texas River Name | Activities | Description |
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Frio River Third crossing to Texas Hwy 127, Concan Difficulty – Easy Length – 4 miles/2 hours |
Kid friendly, kayaking/canoeing, tubing, rapids, over night camping |
Pure, cold water, limestone & gravel bed , cypress trees and chute like rapids describe this area. The long narrow channels are overhung with dense vegetation like a natural water park. This stretch of the river is both safe & exciting. Great for kids.
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| Canadian River
North River Rd, US 83 to Texas Hwy 70, near Canadian Difficulty – Effortlesss Length – 22 miles/1 hr minimum |
Kid friendly |
This river is usually too dry to be good for floating, but is great for duck hunting, ATV trails crisscrossing the riverbed, birding and spectacular scenery.
|
| Guadalupe River
12 miles west of New Braunfels, exit 191 off Hwy 35 or FM 306 near Canyon Difficulty – Easy Length – 2 1/2 miles/ 1/2 to 6 hrs |
Tubing, whitewater rafters, kayaking/canoeing, and fishing
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This river is used for all sorts of recreational activity. Because the water is released from the bottom of the lake the water is cold and therefore is the only river in Texas that can support trout fishing year around.
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| San Antonio River
US 59 to Goliad State Park & Historic Site, Goliad Difficulty – Easy Length – 6.6 miles/2-4 hrs |
Kayaking/canoeing, tubing and over night camping
|
Plants and animals thrive in this mild South Texas climate and the lush woodlands along the river support a large variety of bird life, including the herons, hawks, and kingfishers.
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| Brazos River
Texas Hwy 16 to FM 4 near Mineral Wells Difficulty – Moderate Length 20 miles/2-3 days |
Kayaking/canoeing, tubing and overnight camping
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This is a trip down the longest and most storied river which is a sparsely populated ranch land known as “Scenic North Texas Hill Country”. Deep valleys cut into the rolling landscape, grass tussocks cover the sandbanks with steep wooded slopes. Try this trip in the fall.
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| San Marcos River
Lions Club on Austin Dr San Marcos Difficulty – Easy Length – 1 mile/1 hr |
Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, tubing, kayaking/canoeing
|
The crystal clear San Marcos River attracts many for its popular recreational activities in San Marcos. Spring fed, this short gem was made for floating. The river is a constant 72 degrees. There are several beautiful campgrounds downstream of San Marcos.
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| Trinity River
Fort Worth Difficulty – Easy Length – 30 miles/6-7 hours |
Swimming, fishing, biking, running, tubing, picnicking, kayaking, and more |
The Trinity River in Fort Worth has 58 miles of trails, tubing, kayaking, and lots more in the heart of Fort Worth
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| Trinity River
Access at Cedar Hill Park on Lake Charlotte Rd near Wallisville Difficulty – Moderate Length – 6-7 miles/4-5 hours |
Kayaking/canoeing |
Experience this swampy wonderland which takes you through three ecosystems & centuries of human history.
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| Colorado River
Between Roy Guerrero Park on the south and the Colorado Wildlife Sanctuary on the north Difficulty – Easy Length – 1 mile/1-2 hours |
Water sports and fishing |
“Secret Beach” is a stretch of undeveloped Colorado River shoreline in Austin
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| Neches River
US 69 to Recreational Rd 255, near Woodville Difficulty – Moderate Length – 18.5 miles/2 days |
Kayaking/canoeing, rapids, over night camping |
You can have a relaxing 2-day trip winding through pine forests with gleaming white sandbanks and water that is the rich East Texas tea color. Two miles in, you will come to the river’s only natural waterfalls.
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| South Llano River
South Llano River State Park to Schreiner Park, Junction Difficulty – Easy Length – 5 miles/2-3 hours |
Kid friendly, kayaking/canoeing, tubing, over night camping |
Fields of crops and cattle line the western riverbank and steep limestone hills shelter the east. In the winter, flocks of wild turkeys live in the pecan forested bottomlands and in the summer humans flock to the river.
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| Medina River
FM 2107, 5 miles west of TX Hwy 16, near Kerrville Difficulty – Effortless Length – N/A |
Kid friendly, tubing, kayaking/canoeing |
Great place to just take a trip to the river to cool off in. Tall cypresses line a long pool that is deep enough to swim and even snorkel.
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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.
