• Things to Do
  • Hikes & Trails
  • Tubing
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get There
  • Tips for Visiting

Guadalupe River State Park is a genuine Hill Country fortune, and it's effectively one of the most beautiful, pleasant parks in Texas. Drifting the Guadalupe—leasing a cylinder and going through the day lethargically drifting down the stream, ideally with a Lone Star chest close by—is a Texan list of must-dos thing. However most guests truly do come here to drift and in any case exploit the stream, there are likewise 13 climbing trails that highlight exquisite perspectives on the water, moving green slopes, and limestone precipices. Here is your manual for what to do, how to drift, where to camp, and what else to know when you visit Guadalupe.


What should be done

As the recreation area's name proposes, the strong Guadalupe (that is "the Guad'' assuming you're neighborhood) is the primary fascination. You can fish, kayak, and kayak here (the Upper Guad is a paddler's fantasy), and the region close to the parking garage is great for swimming and swimming. In any case, during the late spring, tubing is top dog. This is the point at which the waterway is quite often packed with lager gulping, Texas banner waving carousers shooting Lynyrd Skynyrd from goliath waterproof speakers. It's famous on purpose: The transcending bare cypress trees and streaming green waters are an incredible sight.


Both Guadalupe River State Park and the adjoining Honey Creek State Natural Area are impressive spots for birding. Assigned an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy1, the recreation area and the regular region are home to the governmentally imperiled Golden-cheeked Warbler, just as 200 or more different species.


Explorers will track down various path to browse as per their ability level and wanted mileage/objective. Toward the finish of the Cedar Sage Trail is the Discovery Center, a small scale gallery brimming with intuitive displays that grandstand the recreation area's regular highlights. It's most certainly worth a visit assuming you have children. Bicycling lovers, in the mean time, can drift along on a considerable lot of the recreation area trails and appreciate wonderful perspectives on the stream, precipices, and woods. For horseback riding, the Painted Bunting Trail is just shy of 3 miles in length.


Somebody in climbing shoes strolling on tree roots at Guadalupe River State Park

jennifer m. ramos/Getty Images

Climbs and Trails



The absolute best climbs in the recreation area include:


Bamberger Trail: This 1.7-mile, moderate to testing trail takes you through Hill Country woods. Brilliant cheeked Warblers can be heard in springtime, from mid-March to May.

Hofheinz Trail Loop: For a more limited climb, take to the Hofheinz Trail Loop, a 1.5-mile trail through Ashe juniper brake and blended deciduous woods. It requires around 45 minutes to finish.

Bauer Trail: Located inside the 670-section of land Bauer Unit, this 1.4-mile, out-and-back trail passes the Philip Bauer House, worked in 1878.

Cedar Sage and Barred Owl Loop Trail: This family-accommodating, 0.7-mile circle trail takes guests to both the Discovery Center and lovely disregards of the Guadalupe River.


Talk with a recreation area officer about your choices to see what might be best for you.


Tubing

Tube season in Texas normally extends from late March/April to September, with the most active months being June, July, and August. To keep away from swarms, your smartest option is to go in March, April, or September, contingent upon the climate. BYOT (Bring Your Own Tube), or contact a nearby supplier and allow them to give tube rentals, leaving, and transportation to and from your vehicle.

Where to Stay

Camp at one of 85 water and electric campgrounds or nine stroll in tent destinations. (You can check campground accessibility and reserve a spot online at Texas State Parks' reserving webpage.)


There are a few cool shop lodgings and resorts nearby. San Antonio is under an hour away, just like the well known Canyon Lakeview Resort. To remain as near the recreation area as could be expected, home rental destinations like Airbnb and VRBO have lodges and other housing on or close to the waterway. On the other hand, notable Boerne is 15 miles west of the recreation area—The Kendall is a noteworthy hotel on the square with room choices that incorporate fabulous suites with cast-iron tubs, a revamped sanctuary, and a stone-walled carriage house.

Step by step instructions to Get There

Found only 40 miles north of San Antonio and 80 miles southwest of Austin, Guadalupe River State Park is in Comal and Kendall provinces. To arrive, travel west on State Highway 46, 8 miles west of the convergence of State Highway 46 and U.S. Interstate 281. Or then again, travel east on State Highway 46, 13 miles east of Boerne. The recreation area's location is 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070.

Guadalupe stream

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Ways to visit

Bookings for Guadalupe River State Park are enthusiastically suggested for both setting up camp and day use, as the (exceptionally well known) park regularly arrives at limit. Save your passes online ahead of time to ensure entrance.

On the off chance that you intend to visit numerous Texas state parks in a single year, you might need to consider getting a Texas State Parks Pass, which is great for one year and incorporates limitless free passage to 89 state parks for yourself as well as your visitors.

Look at a state park guide to arrange yourself before you go.

Visit the recreation area's occasions page to discover more with regards to exercises like nature climbs, stargazing parties, bird-watching with an officer, arrow based weaponry, and that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Go weighty on the sun security when you're on the waterway. You ought to reapply sunscreen each two or three hours, if not more. Wear a sun shirt, and ensure you're drinking a lot of water (no, light lager doesn't count). There's nothing similar to a difficult sun related burn or sun harming to demolish a generally super-fun float trip.

Give severe consideration to any posted "no swimming" signs and just swim in spaces of the recreation area where it's allowed.

Try not to welcome Styrofoam or glass on the waterway or in the day-use region along the stream banks.

Throughout the late spring, the Guadalupe is most certainly a party scene, particularly on ends of the week. Assuming you're drifting the waterway and you need to a greater extent a chill insight, plan to do as such during the week or before 10 a.m. on ends of the week. Or then again, float during calmer seasons, similar to April, September, or even October.

Welcome nothing on the waterway that you would be tragic to lose (or get wet); utilize a dry pack for fundamentals.

Wear open-toed shoes with a back when you're on the stream. Chacos or Tevas—yes. Goes back and forth—no.

Be a decent steward of the land and leave no follow.