Canoeing the San Marcos River

Understand

You won't meet all that many people, short of a few drunk tubers and racers training on the river. You will see a whole lot of nature, mostly unmolested. Please help keep it that way. Environmentalism is important to many people in San Marcos and along the river, and it's just plain good manners to leave the place looking cleaner than how you found it.

Prepare

You should consider this a three-day trip through the middle of nowhere. It's not, of course - emergency services are at most a few minutes away, there are plenty of stores a short hike from the river, and even most of the river basin has cell phone coverage (if you get in a pinch and need a phone now and you can't get reception, try climbing the bank or a tree on the bank). Though unlikely, you should still prepare for natural emergencies. That means, bring the following equipment:

Lifejackets, at least one per person, required by law. Snakebite kit, one per boat. Marine flares, one set per boat - only used to summon attention emergency services in a life-threatening emergency. First aid kit Sunscreen, while many people don't think of this as an emergency supply, sun stroke can be deadly - take it and wear it. You'll also need basic boating and camping supplies! There are many local outfitters who can help you with these. See the outfitters list under the "Do" section in the San Marcos article.

Canoe, a basic aluminum or ABS C2 will do for two people and gear. You might be able to fit three, but things get friendly. Lifejackets, at least one per person, required by law, yes it's important enough to list again. Paddles, carry a spare per boat - it's not unheard of to lose a paddle, but you can often recover them. Changes of clothes, sleeping in swimming trunks is not recommended, chafe is bad! Food enough for three days. Be sure to seal it in watertight storage. Coolers are usually good. Ammo boxes work too. It would not be unwise to place individual items in zip-top bags inside watertight containers. Water enough for three days of heavy activity. Yes, you're in a whole bunch of water, but it has all sorts of nasty things in it that you don't want to drink. You could boil it, but that will use a lot of fuel. It's often easier to just pack bottled (or re-bottled) water. Three gallons per person per day should be plenty. Toilet paper - because leaves itch and your poison-ivy-spotting skills might not be up to par. Soap, preferably Lava brand. It scrubs well and kills poison ivy oils. Tent - it often rains without warning, and Texas mosquitoes are

Get in

The trip starts in San Marcos city park, but you may wish to make supply drops along the way. This trip is timed to stop at Shady Grove Campground in Martindale, Luling City Park, and pull out at Palmetto State Park off US-183 near Ottine, but plenty of other sites are available. Exit US-183 off IH-10 and go south toward Gonzalez. Turn right on Park Road 11 (clearly marked) and you will come to the park headquarters just after the town of Ottine, on the right side. Speak with the person at the desk to determine how to best meet your needs at the time. After you leave one vehicle at the park, head back out PR-11 and take a left on US-183. Go north, through Luling, and to the river. You should be able to get river access by turning off to the right and following the dirt road under the bridge. There is a parking lot and picnic table here. You may or may not be able to stash supplies and have them unmolested. Head back up US-183 until you get to TX-80. Take a left and cross the railroad tracks. To stay on TX-80, you'll have to make a left turn at the light just after the railroad tracks. Continue on TX-80 until you come to Martindale (be sure to observe the speed limits in Martindale!). Turn left on FM-1979 and follow it to Shady Grove, just across the river. Arrange for your stay and to leave supplies, if you desire. Go back out on FM-1979 and take a left to continue on TX-80 to cross IH-35 in San Marcos. The road becomes TX-12. After the second set of railroad tracks, take a right on Bobcat Drive. Immediately after the next set of railroad tracks, take a left on Jowers/City Park drive. Follow the signs to the end of the road and park near the Lions Tube Rental building. You start here by putting your boat in at the steps.

Canoe

Before you shove off, double-check your equipment. Make sure your spare paddle is securely lashed to the boat, along with your chests and other gear. It's a very good idea to use vehicle tiedowns to secure the lids of coolers. Apply your sunscreen now too! The expected time to head out is about 9AM to 10AM. Approximate times for arrival at points of interest are listed to help you budget times. These are all, of course, suggestions. You'll be able to slide the scale by up to several hours in the summer and still make your stops before it gets dark. It's probably a bad idea to try to navigate an unfamiliar river at night - don't try it without experience or a guide.

Day 1: Lions Park to Shady Grove The first day's pace is slow. If you follow this guide you won't get very far down river, only 11 miles, but you'll find a lot of fun stops and swimming. You can head out several hours late if plans go awry - just adjust the listed times accordingly. Enjoy the pace today, tomorrow's is a lot faster!

Rio Vista Park - 10AM Head out of the park and take a leisurely pace. The river will do most of your work in this stretch. You'll quickly pass Rio Vista park. There used to be a dam with a chute at this spot, but it has been demolished and replaced with rapids. They can be so much fun to run that you'll be tempted to pull out and walk the boat back up to the head. You'll have plenty of time to dally here, so go ahead. Next you'll come to a small dam right after IH-35. The perspective will deceive you - the drop is almost six feet and you will swamp your boat and might lose gear if you try to run it. Portage around the left side, and continue down the river. The river will soon fork to run around Thompson's island. The right fork is usually easier to navigate, but it won't make a huge difference. You'll probably notice the water starting to get cloudy with sediment by this point too. There are plenty of places to stop and swim on this stretch of the river. If you're lucky, you'll even find a rope swing. Be sure to respect private property and not venture beyond the banks of the river unless invited.

Blanco River - 11AM After a mile or two, th

Stay safe

Most safety concerns are obvious. Use the buddy system when swimming, stay away from large dams, and don't molest the wildlife or drunks and you should be fine.

Go next

If you did not get a shuttle to San Marcos, you'll have to pick up your other vehicle. Head out PR-11 and take a left on US-183. Go north to Luling, take a right on TX-80 and follow it to San Marcos (remember to take a left immediately after the railroad tracks). Then continue on TX-80 to cross IH-35 in San Marcos. The road becomes TX-12. After the second set of railroad tracks, take a right on Bobcat Drive. Immediately after the next set of railroad tracks, take a left on Jowers/City Park drive. Follow the signs to the end of the road and park near the Lions Tube Rental building and locate your vehicle.