River Trips Offered
Choose Your Own Adventure!
City Park
(In town section, no shuttle required, easiest skill level)
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City Park is our gateway to the headwaters. Rent a tandem canoe or solo kayak for $50 and enjoy it for as long or little as you like. This option is perfect for those who would like to explore the clear headwaters section in town where the springs first give life to this beautiful river. See everything from the Spring Lake Dam to the Rio Vista Dam and all points in between. Be aware that it can become quite crowded here on weekends and holidays during the peak summer season making the best time to visit Monday-Friday or early in the morning. This is the easiest and shortest section of river, while also providing the absolute best water clarity and temperature due to hundreds of springs. The dam that creates the white-water park below Rio Vista keeps the current here gentle enough to paddle back and forth, allowing you to return to the point where you started without the need of a shuttle. Customers typically paddle upriver first through Sewell Park to the headwater falls area above the Aquarena Springs Bridge (paddling against the current will become more challenging the closer you get to the headwaters). After enjoying the falls paddlers turn down river and travel past the starting point and islands to the lower extremity of the trip at Rio Vista Park. After exploring the rope swings at Rio Vista it is time to turn around and begin heading back upriver to the launch point where you started to complete the trip (turn around before Rio Vista Dam, you are not permitted to go down the tube chutes self-guided). This will require some effort to paddle against the current but will not be as challenging as the initial upriver paddle to the headwaters. City Park can be utilized as a starting point for longer trips willing to portage the white-water park at Rio Vista.
Down River Trips Requiring Shuttle
Boat rental price + $25 per person shuttle fee
(We transport our rental boats no exceptions)
Upper San Marcos River Trip
(Our most popular - 5 miles)
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Let the sounds of the crowds and city fade away as you immerse yourself in nature. It is easy to forget how close you are to civilization as this trip has the feel of a wilderness expedition. This is considered to be the most scenic section of the river, and travels outside of town into the countryside 5 miles, ending past the confluence with the Blanco River. Paddlers can expect to have this section all to themselves as it is not suitable for tubing due to the confluence of the two rivers and the dams. For this trip we will park and meet at the downriver take out near Martindale (the finish line). You will leave your vehicle and be shuttled 5 miles upriver to the starting point at Ramon Lucio Park or City Park in San Marcos. Here after a brief orientation, the trip will begin. Customers will paddle the 5 miles downriver back to where their vehicles are parked at the takeout, and where we will meet you to pick up the boats. Participants will see endangered wild rice, clear flowing springs, migratory birds, waterfalls, and the point at which the Blanco River and San Marcos River Join. You might even get lucky and spot one of our elusive river otters or a bobcat as one of our customers has in the past. There are two dams that must be portaged river left, requiring boats to be carried (not dragged) over uneven terrain to go around the hazard. This trip is not recommended for those who have mobility issues or are having their first introduction paddling experience. On average customers complete this section in 3 to 4 hours but this will depend greatly upon your personal paddling speed. The effort is well worth the reward as we consider this the gem of the hill country river trails. Add 1.5 miles for a total of 6.5 if getting out at the San Marcos River Retreat.
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Old Bastrop to Scull Bridge
(The tube float - 4 miles)
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​This trip contains fun riffles and small rapids popular with tubers. Unlike the serenity of the Upper San Marcos River Trip this section will be filled with happy college students taking a break from studying and living it up during the warm months. Those who do not wish to be part of large crowds partying should avoid this section during weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day during the peak tubing season. During the offseason this is a very enjoyable paddle that takes an average of 2 to 3 hours to complete. Customers can park at the takeout at Scull Bridge and be shuttled upriver to the Old Bastrop bridge where the trip will begin.
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Scull Bridge to Staples Dam
(7 miles)
Scull Bridge to Shady Grove 1 1/2 miles.
This section is well shaded, and the pace is slower than the section that precedes it due to the lake like conditions created by dams. The Martindale Dam must be portaged (boats must be carried not dragged) on the river right. Just below the dam there is a small wooden bridge that must be portaged around as well. Trees have a tendency to lodge under the bridge creating an unseen hazard just below the surface. We will meet and park at Staples dam and then shuttle upriver to Scull Bridge. Parking permits may be obtained at Shady Grove Campground to use their private parking and take out. Public access is available at the bridge at Staples Dam but the private access is much easier.
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FM1979 to Staples Dam
(Shady Grove - 5 1/2 miles)
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This is the same section as Scull Bridge to Staples Dam but allows you to start just below Martindale Dam and avoid all portages. Parking permits from Shady Grove Campground are recommended.
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All of the options listed above can be combined to create a 16 mile trip from City Park to Staples Dam!
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