Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park sits near Spring Branch, on the line between Comal and Kendall counties, about 50 minutes north of San Antonio. It covers about 4 miles of the Guadalupe River lined with bald cypress and limestone bluffs, and it’s best for swimming and tubing, with no lifeguards and no tube rentals in the park. On summer weekends the park often fills, so reserve a day pass ahead.

On This Page

• Swimming
• Tubing and Floating
• River Safety and Floods
• Paddling and Fishing
• Hiking and Biking
• Honey Creek and the Discovery Center
• Camping
• Best Time to Visit
• What Visitors Say
• Getting There
• Know Before You Go
• Nearby Parks
• FAQ
• Sources and Official Links

Swimming

Swimming is the main reason most people come to Guadalupe River State Park. The main swimming area is in the day-use area, where the river runs below one of the park’s big limestone bluffs.

• No lifeguards: swim only in designated areas. TPWD (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which runs the state parks) warns that currents can be faster than they look and depth varies
• Life jackets: TPWD strongly recommends them for children and weak swimmers. No rule requires them
• Rocks, not sand: visitors describe a rocky, slippery riverbed with shallow spots for kids and a few deeper holes. Water shoes help
• Stairs to the river: the walk down from day-use parking uses steep trails and a long flight of stairs, tough for older visitors or anyone carrying a cooler. The accessible ramp by the day-use restrooms doesn’t reach the riverbank
• Banned at the river: glass and Styrofoam in the riverbank day-use area and on the river. Alcohol can’t be displayed or consumed in any public area of the park
• Restrooms: air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter, with changing rooms near the river

The water level swings with rain and drought: almost dry in places in late winter 2026, a strong current in summer 2026. Tables along the river fill early on busy days.

Tubing and Floating

Tubing is allowed at Guadalupe River State Park, but the park rents no tubes, canoes or kayaks. Bring a tube or raft, or rent one from the outfitters on US 281 that TPWD lists for this stretch: Guadalupe Canoe and Camping, Guadalupe Canoe Livery and Guadalupe River RV Park, which also run shuttles.

• Bring river floats, not pool floats: the rocky bottom is hard on pool floats, and on knees in shallow water
• The river doesn’t loop: the park map warns that floaters won’t come back to where they started. Visitors describe floating and swimming around the day-use stretch rather than running a long route
• Longer floats: the 5-mile Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail (see Paddling and Fishing) needs a shuttle to get back
• Pack light: coolers and tubes go down the same stairs to the river

River Safety and Floods

The Guadalupe rises fast after heavy rain upstream, so check river conditions on the day of the trip and stay out when the water is high, fast or muddy. Guadalupe River State Park has flooded twice in two summers.

Flood History

July 2025: the flood that devastated Kerr County upstream was a minor flood here, cresting at about 30 feet on the Spring Branch gauge on July 5. The park closed everything except the Turkey Sink and Cedar Sage campgrounds, which stayed dry. By July 15 it was open again, with the water off limits until flows dropped.

July 2026: a second flood crested higher here, at about 36.75 feet on July 17. Day use closed July 17–19 and campsite bookings until July 24, and for several weeks river access was limited to the stretch between the kayak launch and the day-use restrooms. All trails reopened August 5, and the river limit was gone from TPWD’s alert page by mid-October.

What changed: visitors report that the floods washed away river-rock banks, reshaped the gravel bars and left a stronger current in summer. A paddler in January 2026 found the park’s stretch less damaged than other parts of the upper Guadalupe.

Before Swimming or Tubing

A few checks before getting in the water:

• Check the park’s alert page on the TPWD site. TPWD publishes no river level at which it closes the water; closures are posted there and on the park’s Facebook page
• Check the USGS gauge Guadalupe River near Spring Branch (08167500), just downstream of the park. On October 27, 2026 it read 2.3 feet. The National Weather Service says the lowest parts of the park flood at 23 feet
• Watch the forecast for the Hill Country upstream, not just the park. Rain in Kendall and Kerr counties reaches the park later
• Get out of the river if it rises, turns muddy or starts carrying debris
• Wagon Ford’s tent sites sit on a river terrace, and one camper reports rangers moving tent campers out at night ahead of expected flash flooding

Paddling and Fishing

The Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail runs 5 miles from the park to Nichol’s Landing County Park (Specht’s Crossing) on Old Spring Branch Road. It takes 2 to 6 hours depending on flow and goes one way only, so set up a shuttle first.

Paddling Trail Tips

• Hazard: a low-water crossing (a road dip across the river) about 2.5 miles below the put-in. Exit on the left and re-enter below it
• Take-out: Nichol’s Landing charges $4 per adult and $2 per child when an attendant is on duty (summer weekends and holidays) and locks after sunset
• Launch gate: a June 2026 visitor reports the kayak launch gate is locked and the park office gives out the code. Ask at headquarters on arrival
• Not allowed on the river: glass, Styrofoam and plastic containers under 5 ounces
• Water level: low water means dragging boats over gravel; ask the park about current flow

Fishing

TPWD says no fishing license is needed inside a Texas state park, and the park lends fishing gear. TPWD stocked 1,500 rainbow trout here on January 4, 2026, and the park’s Trout Time family fishing event is set for January 16, 2027. After heavy rain the water clouds up and fishing slows.

Hiking and Biking

TPWD’s trails page lists 17 trails at Guadalupe River State Park totaling about 15 miles, mostly easy to moderate, and every one is open to mountain bikes. TPWD’s own pages disagree on the total (the park overview says 13 miles), and the trails page doesn’t say whether distances are one way or round trip.

River Overlook is the shortest trip to a big view.

Trail Tips

A few things to know on the Guadalupe River trails.

• Shoes: hikers describe rocky trails with roots, so wear sturdy shoes
• Signs: opinions on trail signs are split, and some trailheads are a drive apart
• Warblers: golden-cheeked warblers sing on the Bamberger Trail mid-March through May
• Horses: allowed only on the Live Oak (0.8 mile) and Barred Owl (0.8 mile) trails, with proof of a negative Coggins test from the last 12 months. No horse camping

Bauer Unit

The Bauer Unit is a separate, primitive day-use area across the valley, with about 8 miles of moderate to challenging trails and the historic Bauer House. It has no restrooms, no drinking water and no fires, and the river is a 2- to 3-mile downhill hike from there (4 to 6 miles round trip). It has its own entrance (see Getting There).

Wildlife and Bird Blinds

Armadillos are the sighting visitors mention most, along with wild turkeys, axis deer and painted buntings. The Woodland bird blind is a short walk on a crushed-granite path; the Savannah blind sits at the end of the 0.3-mile Persimmon Path.

Honey Creek and the Discovery Center

Honey Creek State Natural Area, next door to Guadalupe River State Park, protects a spring-fed creek that visitors can reach only on a guided hike. The park’s Discovery Center adds hands-on exhibits for families.

Honey Creek Guided Hikes

The hike covers about 2 miles in about 2.5 hours, starting at the Rust House inside Guadalupe River State Park at 9 a.m., usually on weekend mornings. TPWD’s pages disagree on whether to register ahead, so register online to be safe. Dogs can’t join. A separate Honey Creek trailhead with about 3.5 miles of trail opened August 8, 2026, by reservation only.

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center in the day-use area has hands-on exhibits, loaner explorer packs and Junior Ranger journals. It’s open Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; several visitors found it closed outside those hours.

Camping

Guadalupe River State Park has three camping areas and no cabins or shelters. Two loops have water and electric hookups; the third is a walk-in tent area by the river.

Campsite Types

Prices are TPWD’s nightly rates, plus the daily entry fee.

• Turkey Sink (48 sites, $24): water and 50-amp electric. Restrooms with showers nearby. Back-in driveways on the reservation site run 24 to 58 feet; reviewers describe narrow pads with trees close to the sides
• Cedar Sage (37 sites, $20): water and 30-amp electric. Trailers can be no longer than 20 feet. Restrooms with showers nearby
• Wagon Ford (9 walk-in tent sites, $15): walk-in means a tent site a short walk from parking. Sites sit 50 to 100 yards from the parking lot on a river terrace, with water and a restroom nearby. Visitors report no showers here. It’s the closest camping to the river
• At every site: picnic table, tent pad and fire ring with grill. Up to 8 people per site. Entry fees are extra
• No sewer hookups listed by TPWD: a dump station is on the park map. The reservation site shows a few full-hookup sites in Turkey Sink, so check the site details when booking

Reservations and Camp Rules

Book through Texas State Parks reservations, and plan around the burn bans.

• Campsites open 5 months ahead; the window opens at 8 a.m.
• No generators. Check-out is noon
• Campers arriving after 4:30 p.m. need to call the park before 4:30 p.m. for instructions and the gate code
• Burn bans: they are common. One started October 23, 2026, with no wood or charcoal fires, though propane stoves are fine for cooking
• Water: TPWD has asked visitors to conserve water and bring drinking water since July 2026

Campers praise the bathhouses, with air conditioning, heat and private shower rooms. The RV loops sit half a mile or more from the river.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and early fall are the best times for swimming at Guadalupe River State Park without the summer weekend crowds. Winter is the season for stocked trout and empty trails.

• Spring (March to May): golden-cheeked warblers sing on the Bamberger Trail mid-March through May. TPWD counts March through November as the busy season, and the river can run low in late winter and early spring
• Summer (June to August): July averages 86°F, and the river is the draw. The park often closes to day use when full on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day; weekdays are quieter. Summer storms can bring a strong current
• Fall (September to November): early fall brings river days with fewer people. The park closes for a hunt from November 20 to 24, 2026
• Winter (December to February): stocked rainbow trout and quiet trails, though the river can run very low and cold. The park closes for a hunt from January 11 to 15, 2027

What Visitors Say

Guadalupe River State Park averages 4.7 stars across more than 4,500 Google reviews, and the past year’s reviews average about 4.8. Here is what reviewers say most often.

• The river is the draw: clear, cool water for sitting, wading and swimming, lined by big old cypress trees. A few visitors compare it to Garner State Park, but closer to San Antonio and Austin
• Very clean restrooms: the most praised facility after the river
• Crowded summer weekends: day passes sell out and one August 2026 reviewer called the river area overpacked. Weekdays and the cooler months are much quieter
• Water that changes: nearly dry in some winters and early springs, a strong current after summer storms
• Friendly rangers who enforce the rules: most reviewers call staff welcoming, and a few were told to turn down music
• Minor gripes: the odd shower out of service, frequent burn bans, and little to no cell signal reported by one camper

Getting There

Guadalupe River State Park is at 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070, off State Highway 46. Tube outfitters sit along US 281.

Drive times to the park:

• San Antonio: about 50 minutes
• Austin: about 1 hour 40 minutes
• Houston: about 4 hours
• Dallas: about 5 hours

A few things to know before driving out:

• Bauer Unit: the entrance is separate, off FM 3351 via Edge Falls Road and Acker Road
• Late arrivals: campers arriving after 4:30 p.m. call the park before 4:30 p.m. for the gate code

Know Before You Go

Guadalupe River State Park is a river park first. These fees, rules and tips matter most.

• Fees and passes: $7 a day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under get in free. The Texas State Parks Pass ($70 a year) covers entry
• Booking: day passes open 1 month ahead, and the park often closes to day use when full on summer weekends and holidays. Campsites open 5 months ahead, online or at (512) 389-8900
• Hours: the gate is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; headquarters is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (to 6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday, June to August)
• Dogs: leashed (6 feet or shorter), never left alone, with proof of rabies vaccination. Not allowed in the designated swimming area or in buildings
• Water and shade: some shaded tables by the river, but less shade than at some Hill Country rivers. Bring drinking water
• Difficulty: most trails are easy to moderate; Bamberger and Golden-cheeked Warbler are steeper, and so are the stairs to the river
• Fires: burn bans are common, and one started October 23, 2026
• Hunts: the whole park, including Honey Creek and the Bauer Unit, closes for two public hunts: from 8 p.m. November 20 to noon November 24, 2026, and from 8 p.m. January 11 to noon January 15, 2027
• Maps: the TPWD park map
• What to bring: drinking water, water shoes for the rocky riverbed, river floats rather than pool floats, and sturdy shoes for the trails

Nearby Parks

Five other TrekTexas guides are within about 1 hour 20 minutes of Guadalupe River State Park.

• Bergheim Campground: a private campground and outfitter on the Guadalupe with tube floats and a shuttle, about 20 minutes away
• Canyon Lake: the Guadalupe’s big reservoir downstream, with lakeside parks for swimming and boating, about 45 minutes away
• Blanco State Park: a small river park in the town of Blanco, about 45 minutes away
• Government Canyon: a big trail network on San Antonio’s northwest edge, about 1 hour away
• Pedernales Falls State Park: limestone falls and more swimming, about 1 hour 20 minutes away
• More parks within reach: Parks Near San Antonio

FAQ

Is Guadalupe River State Park open after the floods?

Yes. On October 27, 2026 the park was open with no flood, river or trail closures posted, though a burn ban and two winter hunt closures apply.

Can dogs swim in the Guadalupe River at the park?

Not in the designated swimming area; TPWD doesn’t publish a rule for the rest of the river, so ask at headquarters.

Is Guadalupe River State Park good in winter?

Yes for trout fishing and quiet trails, though the river can run very low and cold.

Sources and Official Links

Facts in this guide were last checked in October 2026 against these sources.

• Guadalupe River State Park (TPWD)
• Entrance fees (TPWD)
• Campsites (TPWD)
• Trail list and park map (TPWD)
• Park alerts (TPWD)
• Guadalupe River paddling trail (TPWD)
• Honey Creek State Natural Area (TPWD)
• Guadalupe River near Spring Branch gauge (USGS)
• Texas State Parks reservations

Featured photo: Ashton Brown