Guadalupe River State Park

How to Get There

From Boerne (12 mi): Take TX-46 East for approximately 9 miles, then turn left onto Park Road 31 and continue about 3 miles north to the park entrance.

Overview

Guadalupe River State Park is a Texas state park located on a section of the Guadalupe River in Kendall and Comal Counties, northwest of Bulverde, and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The land was acquired by deed from private owners in 1974 and was opened to the public in 1983.

Features

The park has four miles of river frontage for canoeing, fishing, swimming and tubing. Other activities include picnicking, hiking, birdwatching and camping. There is a 5.3 mile equestrian trail that can also be used for mountain biking. There is a two-hour guided interpretive tour of the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area.

Things to Do

Float the Guadalupe River
Bring a tube and enjoy one of Texas' favorite outdoor traditions while floating the clear, spring-fed waters of the Guadalupe River.

Swim in the River
Cool off in designated swimming areas along four miles of river frontage surrounded by limestone bluffs and towering bald cypress trees.

Paddle the Guadalupe
Explore the river by canoe or kayak and experience scenic stretches of water, gentle rapids, and peaceful Hill Country landscapes.

Hike More Than 13 Miles of Trails
Discover a network of trails that pass through forests, grasslands, river corridors, and scenic overlooks throughout the park.

Visit the Discovery Center
Learn about the area's ecology and wildlife through exhibits, hands-on displays, magnifying stations, and educational resources.

Explore the Bauer Unit
Venture into a more remote section of the park featuring challenging trails, native prairies, spring seeps, and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Top Trails

Painted Bunting Trail
Distance: 2.86 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Native grasslands, birdwatching opportunities, and scenic Hill Country landscapes.

River Overlook Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Quick access to a scenic overlook with views of the Guadalupe River.

Bald Cypress Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Beautiful river scenery, bald cypress trees, swimming areas, and fishing spots.

Prairie, Painted Bunting, Barred Owl & Live Oak Loop
Distance: 5.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Open meadows, oak woodlands, wildlife viewing, and diverse ecosystems.

Bauer Unit Loop
Distance: 7.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Scenic overlooks, remote terrain, native prairie habitat, and panoramic views.

Flora

Bald Cypress, sycamores, pecan, live oak, ashe juniper, and mesquite can be found in the park.

Fauna

White-tailed deer are common throughout the park, as well as raccoons, armadillos, and skunks. The Ashe juniper woodland provides nesting grounds for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. Many other bird species are found in the park also.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Guadalupe River State Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Sources: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department park information, river recreation, trails, paddling, camping, Discovery Center, and Bauer Unit information. [1](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/guadalupe-river) Trail descriptions, distances, difficulty ratings, wildlife viewing opportunities, and hiking information. [2](https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/texas/guadalupe-river-state-park) Additional information on river recreation, camping, and Hill Country experiences. [3](https://exploretexasstateparks.com/hill-country/guadalupe-river-state-park.html)[4](https://thetouristchecklist.com/guadalupe-river-state-park/)