Guadalupe River State Park ★5.0

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 protects four miles of the spring-fed Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country, northwest of Bulverde between Boerne and New Braunfels. Limestone bluffs and bald cypress groves frame clear, cool water that makes this one of the region's most popular spots for swimming, tubing, paddling, and fishing, alongside miles of hiking and equestrian trails. A two-hour guided interpretive tour into the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area is also available for visitors who want a closer look at the surrounding landscape.

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 & Fauna

Bald cypress, sycamore, pecan, live oak, ashe juniper, and mesquite line the river and surrounding hills. White-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, and skunks are common, and the park's ashe juniper woodlands provide nesting habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, making it a rewarding stop for birdwatchers.

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.