Texas Paddling
Put-ins
|
|
Like many other water birds, Oklahoma paddlers often like to
head south when the weather gets colder.
This page contains information about canoeing, kayaking,
rafting and tubing the rivers, creeks and streams of Texas.
There are loads of paddling resources that focus on South Texas
paddling, but they have The Gulf of Mexico, they don't need me!
I wanted a page that focuses on the North
Texas areas that are within striking distance of my good ol'
Oklahoma home.
Got some tips? Send me an email or just leave a
comment on our Oklahoma Kayaking Blog. |
Click to enlarge picture
Cypress Trees on
the Mt Fork River
|
Kayaker Resources in
Texas
Texas Lake Paddling
Colorado Bend State Park & Lake Buchanan
When Lake Buchanan is near normal levels, The
Colorado River is navigable from the Colorado Bend State Park boat ramp all the
way to the Lake Buchanan, approximately 10 miles. This is a trip
on slow moving water through the beautiful canyon lands of the
Colorado River. The float is said to include a portion of Gorman
Creek which feeds Gorman Falls. Gorman Falls is an impressive,
60-foot-high waterfall. The falls' travertine formations and
associated lush vegetation are very scenic.
Directions: Colorado Bend State Park is west of Lampasas,
Texas southeast of
San Saba, TX. From the intersection of US Highways 281 and 183 in
Lampasas, take FM 580 west 24 miles to Bend and follow the signs
4 miles to the park entrance. From San Saba, take US Highway 190
about 4 miles to FM 580 and follow the signs 13 miles to Bend;
follow the signs 4 miles to the park entrance (2 miles of dirt
road). The headquarters and main camping are 6 miles past the
entrance on the dirt road (unmarked County Road 442). (Access
road subject to flooding.) Note: No Gasoline Service in Bend.
Two popular Texas Lake Kayaking destinations are
Austin's Town Lake and Inks Lake near Burnet, Texas. At Town Lake,
kayakers 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. Devils Waterhole is at the southeast end of the
State Park. There are some nice coves for anchoring and swimming or
fishing.
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in Texas. The
lake is situated on the Texas and Louisiana border in North East
Texas and North West Louisiana and at normal levels it covers 26,800
acres. The Big Cypress Bayou is the main tributary that feeds Caddo
Lake. After it leaves Caddo Lake, the Big Cypress Bayou flows into
the Red River where they merge in North Louisiana. The Red River
creates much of the boundaries dividing Texas, Oklahoma and
Arkansas.
 Caddo Lake is a large maze of interconnected waterways, with
over a hundred miles of clearly marked boat roads and more primitive
boat roads that are not so easy to navigate.
I've long wanted to take the time off to paddle the
Big Thicket Bayou area of Texas. I would love to spend a few
days photographing the Cypress trees strung with streamers of
Spanish Moss from my kayak. The Big Thicket Bayou claims to be the
largest Cypress bayou in the world! Cool, huh?
Caddo Lake Area Canoe Rental
OLD PORT CADDO RENTALS & TOURS
Located in the Caddo Lake State Park.
Owned & Operated by Cindy & Robert Speight.
903-679-3073
http://www.oldportcaddo.com
Email: r.speightjr@att.net
JOHNSON'S RANCH
Located on Caddo Lake in Uncertain Texas
Canoes / Rent boats / Bait & Tackle
903-789-3213
http://www.johnsonsranch.com/
Email: rdgar2013@yahoo.com
CRIP'S CAMP
Located on Caddo Lake in Uncertain Texas
Canoes & Rental Boats
903-789-3233
http://www.cripscamp.com/
Caddo Lake Area Cabins
www.caddolakecabins.com
www.hodgepodgecottages.com
www.moonglowlodge.com
www.beyondthebayou.com
www.whisperingpineslodge.net
www.caddotexasstar.com
www.moonshadowshideaway.com
www.uncertain-tx.com/selah-timberwild/index.html
www.johnsonsranch.com
www.uncertaininn.com
www.uncertaingifts.com
Fort Worth Whitewater Park
Trinity River, Clear Fork, TX
While the full reach is listed as 3.5 miles from
Bryant Irvin Rd to University Dr, most whitewater boaters will be
content to concentrate on just the last half-mile, where
re-engineering of a series of dams in a cement-channelized river has
created a fine Park-and-Play spot near downtown Fort Worth.
Inland Paddling Trails Created By Texas Parks
& Wildlife Department
Bastrop Paddling Trail
The El Camino Real Paddling Trail in
Bastrop, Texas! A six-mile trail along the Colorado
River.
Columbus Paddling Trail
A 6.5 mile trail that can take
anywhere from two to five hours to complete. Peaceful
waters and calm rapids.
Goliad Paddling Trail
Enjoy quiet pools and several small
riffles on the first Texas inland paddling trail to
include a State Park. Located on the San Antonio River
near the town of Goliad, TX this 6.6-mile river trail
can be floated in two and a half to four hours.
Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail
Located on the San Marcos River near
the city of Luling, this six-mile river trail can be
floated in two to four hours. Paddlers will enjoy a
gentle family-friendly ride on this quiet river lined
with beautiful trees and wildlife.
Finding Public Kayak Launch Spots in
Texas
Whether you plan to boat, fish, paddle, float or just enjoy Texas
rivers, reservoirs and coastal areas, the
Texas Public Boater Access (TPBA) website can help.
The TPBA website is an interactive catalog of public areas used
to access Texas rivers, reservoirs and coastal areas. To date, two
river basins (Colorado and Guadalupe) are available online. Public
access data collection for other Texas river basins is in progress
and will be added to the website. Watch this site for future
development of this resource.
Visit the Paddlers Supply Store
Gifts and Gear for Canoe & Kayak Paddlers
...Paddle
Oklahoma! - Area Float Trip Outfitters List |
