May 5th HCO day trip Paddle on the San Marcos River!

Grab your canoe or kayak, or rent one at our meeting place, TG Canoe & Kayak in San Marcos.

This is also for people who want to participate but share with someone else on a canoe.

*Include a note in the comments line when you register on if you need to share a boat with someone or want to go in on a canoe rental with someone.

Closer to the date, you will be able to view the RSVP list on the post to see other people's comments that want to go.
 

Known as the "River of the Innocents" to the Spanish Monks who "discovered" her, the San Marcos is one of the largest spring fed rivers in Texas. Average flow at the headwaters (known as the Aquarena Springs) is 130 cubic feet per second, and even during the driest of summers there has always been sufficient water for canoeing and other water sports. It is recognized as one of the most unique ecosystems in the world, with several endangered species living in its cool, 72 degree waters.

Canoeing or Kayaking the San Marcos: The San Marcos is a great river for beginners because it has enough current to keep it interesting but rarely so much that it is dangerous. We always recommend that folks begin at City Park in San Marcos and end up at our camp. That is a six-mile trip and involves mostly flat water with just a few swift places. It generally takes about five to six hours which allows time for basic instruction and lunch. The most dangerous places on the river are the dams (three between San Marcos City Park and San Marcos River Retreat). Only the first, Rio Vista Falls, which is now a series of three rapids, is runnable (for whitewater boaters only)- the others should be portaged.

We'll do one of these two trips depending on how long everyone wants to be on the water:

John J. Stokes Park - San Marcos River Retreat - 5 miles / 2.5 hrs

City Park - San Marcos River Retreat - 7 miles / 4 hrs

Shuttle fees are $15 per boat.
If you go in on a tandem (2-person) kayak with a friend, you will save some dough.

*We'll carpool all together from the south location of Academy at I-35 & William Cannon.

To TG Canoe & Kayak: From I-35 in San Marcos: Take exit 205 in San Marcos and go east on Hwy 80 about 1.5 miles. Turn right on CR 101/Old Bastrop Hwy. Go one block and turn left on CR 102 (Old Martindale Road - at blue sign that says 'Pecan Park'). Go 0.5 miles and turn right at the blue "PECAN PARK" sign. We're 0.25 miles down on the right.

If you are renting a boat, please read the info. below and make your reservation now.

Rental Information
RESERVATIONS Tentative reservations can be made by phone.  To confirm a reservation, a deposit ($25.00 deposit, per boat) needs to be received in advance.  Cash, check or credit cards are accepted.  The deposit will be refunded if cancellation is 8 DAYS or more prior to the reserved day.  The deposit will also be refunded if bad weather conditions exist IN OUR AREA or if flood conditions exist on the San Marcos River. Please call for up to date conditions.