Inland Paddling Trails

Information is being added for new trails as site assessments are completed and maps are developed. Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date information.

For more information on these paddling trails, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Paddling Trails List by Travel Region:

Texas state travel regions

Hill Country

Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail

Located less than an hour north of San Antonio, this wild and beautiful 5-mile paddling trail gives paddlers a chance to enjoy some time on the water in the scenic Texas Hill Country.

Inks Lake Paddling Trails

Located an hour and a half northwest of Austin, Inks Lake State Park offers three unique paddling opportunities of 1-4 miles each, the Devil's Waterhole, Stumpy Hollow, and Waterfowl Run Paddling Trails.

Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail (Austin)

The Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail allows for a variety of paddling opportunities with loops from 3 to 11 miles long. Enjoy paddling in downtown Austin!

Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail (Brownwood)

This 3-4 mile loop trail is on a peaceful stretch of the Pecan Bayou, a slow moving body of water that can be paddled in either direction as a loop trail.

South Llano Paddling Trail (Junction)

Experience quiet pools, gentle riffles and runs along 6 miles of the beautiful spring-fed South Llano River out in the Texas Hill Country!

Upper Guadalupe - Nichol's Landing Paddling Trail (above Canyon Lake)

This 9.9-mile reach of the Guadalupe River in Comal County is lined with an abundance of mature trees and a spectacular mix of limestone cliffs and shelves. Paddlers will enjoy a 3-6 hour ride on a variety of rapids between gentle stretches.

Pineywoods

Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou Paddling Trails (near Jefferson, Karnack and Uncertain)

With ten official paddling trails in the region, the Caddo area now has over 50 miles of canoe and kayak trails for visiting paddlers! Follow the trail markers posted along each of the trails to explore the mysterious maze of sloughs, swamps and bayous for which this beautiful region is known.

Chandler Upper Neches Paddling Trail (Athens/Tyler)

Enjoy 1-9 miles of a great loop paddling trail just minutes from Tyler and Athens – no shuttle needed! !

Cherokee Neches Paddling Trail (near Jacksonville)

Offering 6.6 miles of paddling, this trail includes a variety of water types from quiet pools to several small riffles through the East Texas Pineywoods.

Collier's Ferry to Lake Bayou Paddling Trail (Beaumont, cross-listed under Gulf Coast, too)

This 7-mile loop trail gives you the chance to paddle through one of the remote and beautiful backwater channels of the biologically diverse Big Thicket National Preserve.

Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail (Beaumont, cross-listed under Gulf Coast, too)

This 4.8-mile loop trail offers a great diversity of birds, wildlife, and plants as you paddle through the cypress and tupelo tress of the swamp and the river corridor of the Neches River.

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Paddling Trails (near Jasper)

  • Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Paddling Trails: Includes information about the Neches Paddling Trail, Walnut Slough Paddling Trail and Sandy Creek Paddling Trail, three trails running through and around Martin Dies, Jr. State Park that offer 3 to 16 miles of trails for a variety of experiences – from the park’s backwater sloughs and a wide open lake to a fast-moving river.
  • Bevilport Paddling Trail: Beginning at Bevilport Boat Ramp, an historic riverboat landing site and location of the first cattle drives from Texas, this trail offers over 9 miles of river trail down the Angelina and Neches Rivers.

Mineola Bigfoot Paddling Trail

This 11.9-mile trail offers a wild and scenic view of East Texas along the beautiful Sabine River.

Neches-Davy Crockett Paddling Trail (near Lufkin)

At 9.2 miles in length, this leisurely paddle on the Neches River just outside of Lufkin gives you a front row seat for the amazing biodiversity of East Texas.

Sabine Sandbar Paddling Trail (near Carthage)

Enjoy quiet pools, small riffles, and great fishing for up to a full day's paddle on your choice of 4, 15, or 19 miles of trail.

Toledo Bend-Patroon Bayou Paddling Trail (near Milam/Hemphill)

Enjoy a great loop paddling trail on the Patroon Bayou arm of Toledo Bend Reservoir – no shuttle needed!!

Village Creek Paddling Trail (near Lumberton, Silsbee and Kountze)

With white sandy beaches, diverse wildlife and towering pineywoods trees, this 21-mile trail with multiple access sites allows for a beautiful one-hour trip, half day paddle or even overnight camping on the river.

Prairies and Lakes

Bastrop Paddling Trails

  • El Camino Real Paddling Trail: Visit El Camino Real Paddling Trail in Bastrop! This wide, slow-moving six mile trail will take you approximately 1.5 - 4 hours depending on flow and stops for picnics or enjoying the scenery along the way.
  • Wilbarger Paddling Trail: Visit the Wilbarger Paddling Trail in Bastrop - this wide, slow-moving 14.3-mile trail will take you approximately 4 - 8 hours depending on flow and stops for picnics or enjoying the scenery along the way.

Beaver Pond Paddling Trail (Lewisville)

This one-mile loop trail is a wildlife magnet, and a quiet paddler has great opportunities to view herons, egrets, ducks, turtles, frogs, deer, and many other wildlife species while paddling through shady willow thickets, open water, and floating rafts of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation.

Bosque Bluffs and Brazos Bridges Paddling Trails (Waco)

These two paddling trails are right in the heart of downtown Waco and offer easy access for beginning and experienced paddlers alike. Depending on which trail you choose, you can enjoy a scenic 2-mile loop trail on the Bosque River or a 5-mile loop on the Brazos River through the middle of town.

Bridgeport Falls Paddling Trail

Enjoy a variety of water types including quiet pools and several small riffles along this 5.8-mile scenic loop on the West Fork of the Trinity River.

Columbus Paddling Trail

Paddling the Colorado River through the town of Columbus you have the opportunity to see wildflowers, birds, turtles and more! This 6.5 mile trail can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete, and the peaceful waters and calm rapids will give you a wonderful day on the river.

Dallas Trinity Paddling Trail

Paddlers exploring this 10.2 mile trail will be able to note the differences between an altered, channelized river segment in the first half of the trail in which trees and other riparian vegetation have been removed and contrast that to the channel after the Dallas Wave, which still contains a tree-lined natural riparian corridor.

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Paddling Trail

Located minutes from downtown Fort Worth, this peaceful 6-7 mile loop paddling trail gives paddlers a chance to enjoy some quiet time on the West Fort of the Trinity River.

Gonzales Paddling Trails

  • Come and Take It Paddling Trail: This 11-mile trail offers more experienced paddlers looking for a longer trip the opportunity to explore the relatively slow-moving Guadalupe River.
  • Independence Paddling Trail: Enjoy this scenic 2.6-mile loop paddling trail on the Guadalupe River. This trail is perfect for beginners and families since no shuttle is needed!

Grapevine Lake Paddling Trail

Enjoy a paddling adventure of any length right in the heart of Grapevine on Grapevine Lake! With great fishing and on-site rental services, this trail has something for everyone.

Guadalupe Valley Paddling Trail (Cuero)

Enjoy 13.8 miles of paddling along this Guadalupe River trail in DeWitt County near Cuero! You can paddle the entire stretch or break it up into one of the smaller sections since this trail has three different access sites to choose from.

Joe Pool Lake and Walnut Creek Paddling Trail (Grand Prairie)

An oasis of nature in the heart of the DFW Metroplex! There's no need to drive for hours to get back to nature when you can experience it at Grand Prairie's 4.9-mile paddling trail in Loyd Park.

Lake Arlington Paddling Trail

This 10.9-mile paddling trail is the first lake paddling trail and the first trail in the DFW metroplex. Enjoy paddling along the shores of a beautiful lake to enjoy a taste of nature in the middle of this urban center.

Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail (between Grosbeck and Mexia)

The Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail covers about 5.3 miles of quiet water on the Navasota River from the Confederate Reunion Grounds to Fort Parker State Park.

Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail

Located on the San Marcos River near the city of Luling, this six-mile river trail can be floated in two to four hours. Paddlers will enjoy a gentle family-friendly ride on this quiet river lined with beautiful trees and wildlife.

Morgan's Point Resort Paddling Trails (near Belton/Temple)

Morgan's Point Resort's three trails: Camp Kachina Paddling Trail, Tanyard Springs Paddling Trail and Mother Neff Paddling Trail each offer different views of over 12 total miles of paddling on Lake Belton, from wide open lake paddling to more secluded exploration of the many inlets around the lake.

Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail (Rowlett)

Enjoy the variety of scenery on beautiful Lake Ray Hubbard, just 15 minutes east of downtown Dallas. Paddlers can enjoy the wide open water, or can leisurely paddle along the shoreline to enjoy the shade offered by the tree-lined banks.

River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail on the Trinity River (Arlington)

In the heart of the Metroplex, get out and enjoy an easy 2 mile loop or portage some riffles about a mile up to enjoy a longer trip along the West Fork of the Trinity River in Arlington.

South Texas Plains

Goliad Paddling Trail

Enjoy quiet pools and several small riffles on the first inland paddling trail to include a State Park. Located on the San Antonio River near the town of Goliad, this ~6.6-mile river trail can be floated in two and a half to four hours.

Mission Reach Paddling Trail (San Antonio)

Enjoy an 8-mile trail from Roosevelt Park downstream to the Camino Coahuilteca takeout by Mission Espada for a very special view of San Antonio's mission region.

Nueces River Paddling Trail - George West (northwest of Corpus Christi)

Enjoy this 4.3 mile stretch of the Nueces River for a closer, more relaxed view of nature, including a variety of birds, turtles, and fish.

Saspamco Paddling Trail (near San Antonio)

Just minutes away from the bustling City of San Antonio, the abundant trees along this trail offer shade and diverse wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.  Paddlers can enjoy up to 12 miles of paddling that includes quiet pools as well as several small riffles.  

Seguin Paddling Trail (Lake Seguin)

Visit Seguin and enjoy this scenic 4-mile paddling trail loop on the Guadalupe River. This trail is perfect for beginners since no shuttle is needed.

Seguin Paddling Trail (Lake Nolte/Meadow Lake)

With two different access points, this paddling trail on the Guadalupe River offers paddlers a variety of opportunities to create their own trip from 2.6 miles up to 8.4 miles in length.

Gulf Coast

Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail (Houston)

This 26-mile paddling trail is the first paddling trail in Houston. Enjoy paddling through downtown Houston, enjoying the birds, turtles, fish and other wildlife found in this otherwise urban environment

Collier's Ferry to Lake Bayou Paddling Trail (Beaumont, cross-listed under Pineywoods, too)

This 7-mile loop trail gives you the chance to paddle through one of the remote and beautiful backwater channels of the biologically diverse Big Thicket National Preserve.

Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling Trail (Beaumont, cross-listed under Pineywoods, too)

This 4.8-mile loop trail offers a great diversity of birds, wildlife, and plants as you paddle through the cypress and tupelo tress of the swamp and the river corridor of the Neches River.

Seadrift Paddling Trail

The Seadrift Paddling Trail consists of 20 miles of paddling trails accessed from four access points and offers river, lake, and even some expert level bay paddling opportunities.

Victoria Paddling Trail

This quiet 25-mile trail on the Guadalupe River in the Coastal Region is made up of four different sections of varying lengths: Chisholm Trail, Riverside Park, Mission Espiritu Santo, and Fort Saint Louis Sections.

Stephen F. Austin Paddling Trail (Brazoria County)

Visit Brazoria County and enjoy 35.4 miles of paddling along four connecting trails along the Brazos River!

  • Columbia Bottomland Waterway: Explore a wooded river escape on this 8.3 mile stretch of the Brazos River through the impressive Columbia Bottomland forests of Texas.
  • Old Settlement Passage: Enjoy a longer paddle along the Brazos River with this 10.4 mile route that offers views of historic bridges along the trail amongst the Columbia Bottomlands.
  • Sugar Mill Stretch: This 6.9 mile section provides the shortest paddle of Brazoria County's trails, giving paddlers an easy escape from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives.
  • Gulf Prairie Run: The Columbia Bottomland hardwoods open up to a section of the river with a more open coastal feel as you paddle this 9.8 mile trail heading into Freeport.

Original Coastal Paddling Trails