Texas Kayaking, Canoeing, & Rafting

Quick Links For This Page - River Kayaking & Canoeing, Paddling Trails, White Water Rafting, Lake Kayaking, Kayaking & Canoeing Resources, Outfitters & Guides, Kayak/Canoe Rentals or Lessons, Kayak Dealers, and Kayak Manufactures

Texas kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts have a wide range of choices to enjoy this great outdoor activity. With more than 3,700 named streams, 15 major rivers and some 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline along the Gulf Coast, Texas offers myriad opportunities for kayaking and canoeing adventures of all types. You have plenty of freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes to choose from and lots of choices for saltwater paddling.

Texas River Kayaking and Canoeing

Steams and rivers meander through 191,000 miles of Texas landscape. These vastly important aquatic ecosystems play a major role in protecting water quality, preventing erosion, and providing nutrients and habitat for fish and wildlife. Along the way, water that eventually flows into seven major estuaries, supports over 212 reservoirs, countless riparian habitats, wetlands, and terrestrial areas. Bottom line, there are lots of places to river kayak and enjoy the water, scenery, and camaraderie. Kayak fishing is growing leaps and bounds and Texas rivers have some fish just waiting for you, so give it a try.

The Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers are world famous and provide enjoyment to tens of thousands annually. To learn more about all the rivers of Texas, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Here is some information on some of the best Texas Rivers for kayaking or canoeing:

• Brazos River - the most popular section is below Possum Kingdom dam
• Comal River - said to be the shortest river in Texas, this 3 mile small crystal clear river flows from large springs in New Braunfels to the Guadalupe river
• - over 40 miles for kayaking or canoeing - see the Trails section below for more info or click on the Lower Colorado River link
• Frio River - this is a hidden gem of a river with cool, clear water that flows from underground springs
• Guadalupe River - this is by far the most popular river for tubing with multiple places to tube and plenty of outfitters that rent tubes, rafts, kayaks, or canoes
• Llano River - the North and South Llano river meet in Junction and both rivers offer good kayaking and canoeing before and after they meet
• Neches - very pretty and scenic river and popular for paddling
• San Marcos River - this is a popular and fun place to tube with tubers usually starting in San Marcos
• Texas Paddling Trails - this is a new program from Texas Parks & Wildlife to develop public inland and coastal paddling trails throughout the state and support these trails with maps, signage and other information
• Rio Grande - the Rio Grande River around Big Bend and Lajitas offer some excellent kayaking, canoeing, and white water rafting opportunities. A trip through Santa Elena Canyon takes you beneath magnificent sheer limestone walls towering 1,500 feet above you and Rockslide Rapid, at times a Class IV rapid, can get your blood pumping. For some details and information or to schedule a trip, check with .

Southwest Paddler has tons of great information on paddling the Texas rivers as well as maps of various sections of the river.

Some of the best kayaking and canoeing spots to paddle include:

• Guadalupe River State Park - Rebecca Creek (14 Miles) - 830 438-2656
• Brazos River - below the Possum Kingdom dam
• Elm Fork of the Trinity River - Hwy 12 to Sandy Lake Road in Carrollton - 972 245-7475
• Colorado River - Tom Miller Dam to Longhorn Dam (5 miles) or Little Webberville Park to Big Webberviller Park (7 miles - 512 461-7139) in the Bastrop and Smithville area (512 677-2305)
• San Marcos River - City Park to Westerfield Crossing in San Marcos (6 miles - 512 357-6113) or Hwy 90 to Zedler Mill in Lulling (6 miles - 512 353-3946)

Texas Paddling Trails - click on the link to find some kayaking and canoeing trails in Texas.

Texas White Water Rafting & River Trips

• Texas Hill Country Rafting - Texas whitewater rafting in the Hill Country typically means rafting the Guadalupe River which has some whitewater rapids, small waterfalls and boulder gardens and very scenic rolling hills, rocky bluffs, and riverbanks lined with tall bald cypress, sycamore, pecan and live oak trees, and cliffs are crowned with mesquite, cedar and yucca. You'll also be joined by 1000s of other river runners, particularly if you go to the more popular spots near Canyon Lake. Check out this page for more information.
• Big Bend Rafting - Rio Grande around Lajitas and Big Bend National Park offers numerous opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. You can take multi hour to multi day trips that including drifting though the desert, beneath towering majestic 1500 limestone canyons, and through Big Bend National Park. Many outfitters are available for guided trips and rentals - we recommend . Below are some pictures from a fun and exciting rafting trip down the Rio Grande and through the breathtaking Santa Elena Canyon with Big Bend River Tours. Here is a link to our rafting the Rio Grande trip.

Texas Lake Kayaking

Texas offers some fantastic lakes to paddle on with a wide variety of scenery and sites. Two very popular destinations are Austin's Town Lake, where paddlers paddle to Austin’s Congress Bridge which hosts one of the nation’s largest colonies of Mexican Free-tailed Bats. Inks Lake is a great destination for those who want to paddle and tour Devils Water Hole. To learn more about Texas Lakes, camping, and other good stuff, check out the Lakes section of Texas Outside.

Kayaking & Canoeing Resources

Kayak Organizations - , Texas Kayak Fisherman, or Coastal Kayak Angler Paddling Events - events in conjunction with Texas Parks & Wildlife Free Kayaking Trip Brochures - brochures and info on Texas kayaking trips Lower Colorado River Authority Brazos River Authority Texas Kayak Fisherman - the #1 source for your kayak fishing needs Guadalupe and Blanco River Authority Love2Paddle - home to the Texas Paddlers Forum Texas Canoe Racing Association - statewide club for persons interested in paddle sport racing - memberships, classes, and dining cruises Southwest Paddler - comprehensive resource for information related to outdoor recreation on and near the rivers, creeks and streams of Texas Austin Kayak Fishing - information on almost every aspect of kayak fishing Coastal Kayak Angler - lots of good information on coastal kayak fishing

Kayaking, Rafting, & Canoeing Guides & Outfitters For Fishing, Eco Tours, and More

There are almost as many guides as there are places to paddle in Texas. Most kayak guides specialize in either freshwater or saltwater activities. Rates vary widely based on location and activity (fishing, birding, exploring) selected. The following are some popular Texas kayaking guides for kayak fishing or kayak eco tours.

Contact us if you would like to be included on the lists on this page

Kayaking and Canoeing Rentals and/or Lessons

Kayak Manufactures

Some of the more popular kayak brands being used in Texas are:

Texas Kayak Dealers

Kayaks are available from a wide array of national chains such as Academy, Sportsman's Warehouse, BassPro Shop, Sun & Ski Sports.

Additionally there several local vendors that typically offer very competitive prices.

Thanks to Texas Park & Wildlife for some of the content and pictures. By providing the pictures, TP&W is not endorsing Texas Outside.

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