Palacios Paddling Trails
The scenic Palacios Paddling Trails offer paddlers four different trails, from 2 to 10 miles in length, to experience unique coastal, river, and wetland environments and their associated wildlife. Choose your coastal adventure by paddling the Tres Palacios River Trail, The City by the Sea Trail, Palacios Wetlands Trail, or the Dolphin Run Trail!
Trail Access
Carl Park Boat Ramp (Tres Palacios River)
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 28.7863, -96.1503
From SH 35 four miles North of Palacios turn east on FM 521. After crossing FM 2853 take the next right (see the public boat ramp signs) into the road into Carl Park. The road ends at the boat ramp, kayak launch and parking lot.
Carl Park has fishing piers, boat ramp, kayak launch, picnic tables, grills and ample free parking. No restrooms and limited camping.
East Bay Park Boat Ramp (Tres Palacios Bay)
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 28.7047, -96.2097
When approaching Palacios from north on SH 35 the highway becomes 1st St. When approaching Palacios from the west on SH 35, the highway becomes Henderson Ave. At the blinking light at the intersection of Henderson Ave. and 1st St (SH 35 and Business 35) go south on 1st St (Business 35) 8 blocks and turn left (east) at the public boat ramp sign onto Lucas St. Go one block and at the Intersection of Lucas St and East Bay Blvd is the large parking lot and boat ramp of East Bay Park.
East Bay Park includes the boat ramp, kayak launch, picnic shelters, playground, restrooms, fishing piers and jetties, fish cleaning station, ample free parking and a bayside boardwalk. No camping.
South Bay Park Boat Ramp (Tres Palacios Bay)
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 28.6984, -96.2185
When approaching Palacios from north on SH 35 the highway becomes 1st St. At the blinking light at the intersection of Henderson Ave. and 1st St (SH 35 and Business 35) go south on 1st St (Business 35). Follow Business 35 around a bend to the right as it turns into Main Street and heads west. Follow Main St for 6 blocks to 6th St. Turn left (south) onto 6th St., go two blocks to South Bay Blvd. At that intersection go into the large parking lot and boat ramp of South Bay Park. When approaching Palacios from the south on SH 35, at the new high school turn right onto Business 35 and go south. The road bends to the east and becomes Main St. Drive 1.5 miles past the boat harbor and turn right at the public boat ramp sign onto 6th St. Go 2 blocks to South Bay Blvd. At that intersection go into the large parking lot and boat ramp of South Bay Park.
The park includes a boat ramp, small beach, picnic shelters, playground, basketball courts, splash pad, restrooms, fishing piers and jetties, ample free parking and a bayside boardwalk. No camping.
Jensen Point Boat Ramp (Turtle Bay)
- Type:
- Access Point
- GPS Coordinates:
- 28.6874, -96.2745
From SH 35 two miles west of Palacios turn south on Co Rd 341 and Co Rd 340 (at the public boat ramp sign). Go south two miles and the road ends at the boat ramp, kayak launch and parking lot at Jensen Point.
There are no amenities at the Jensen Point Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch.
Navigating the Trail
Trail Descriptions
Tres Palacios River Trail
Trail Length: 10-miles one-way
Float Time:
Total time for 10-mile trail: 4-5 hours (depending on water levels, tide, flow rate, and wind).
This 10 mile trail meanders downstream past farms, ranches, the occasional forest and old fishing cabins as you head downstream toward the City of Palacios. About half way through, the river begins to widen as it merges with the Tres Palacios Bay. The river/bay passes many newer private homes and fishing piers as you approach the palm tree lined shores of Palacios. The grassy shores along the route are home to a variety of inland, coastal and migratory birds, especially during the winter months. Dolphins are rarer sightings.
Please note: The river widens after the first mile and you must stay to the right. The water to the left gets very shallow.
The City by the Sea Trail
Trail Length: 1.5-miles one-way
Float Time:
Total time for 1.5-mile trail (one-way): 1-2 hours (depending on water levels, tide, flow rate, and wind).
This trail follows along the seawall of the City of Palacios. The 1.5 mile trail (3 miles round trip) connects the East Bay Park and South Bay Park boat ramps and passes a variety of fishing piers and jetties. A landmark along the trail is the majestic, century-old, three story, Historic Hotel Tres Palacios which has begun an extensive renovation. As this trail turns the corner between South Bay and East Bay the brightly colored dormitories of the Texas Baptist Encampment are seen.
Palacios Wetlands Trail
Trail Length: 2-miles roundtrip
Float Time:
Total time for full 2-miles roundtrip: 1.5-2.5 hours (depending on water levels, tide, flow rate, and wind).
This 2-miles (roundtrip) trail travels along the City of Palacios seawalls and then into coastal salt marsh, lagoon, woodlot and wetland ecosystems. After heading north from the East Bay Park boat ramp you pass an RV park and then make a left at a small marina to wind your way back into the wetland areas. At the half way point, after paddling under a "humpback" bridge and a second lower bridge (portaging over the second bridge may be necessary in higher waters or turn around), you arrive at the wooden platform of the Palacios Prairie Wetlands Park, which offers additional biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife viewing. This trail ends at the culvert going under HWY 35; turn around there and backtrack to East Bay Park boat ramp.
Dolphin Run Trail
Trail Length: 6-miles one-way
Float Time:
Total time for full 6-mile trail: 3-4 hours (depending on water levels, tide, flow rate, and wind).
This 6 mile (one way) trail travels between South Bay Park Boat Ramp and Jensen Point Boat Ramp. Leaving the South Bay Park Boat Ramp and going west you pass a recreational boat marina and the Port of Palacios. Use caution when crossing the shipping channel and yield to larger vehicles. The trail continues past a Fisherman's Memorial statue and a large wetland area. It then passes a private pier and goes past the private Beachside Subdivision and its very long narrow peninsula. After turning around the end of the peninsula you row directly northeast across the open waters of Turtle Bay to the Jensen Point Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch which are just to the west of the houses of the Jensen Point community on Turtle Bay. Dolphin are consistently spotted in Turtle Bay throughout the year, most frequently in the summer months in the early morning and late afternoons. This whole trail is known for good fishing.
Please note: The Dolphin Run Trail crosses the Palacios shipping channel where kayakers must yield to larger boats. The trail goes around a long narrow peninsula and crosses the large open bay of Turtle Bay that can have strong winds and choppy waters at times.
Private Property
While many coastal paddling trails are adjacent to public lands, some are next to private property. Please respect private property by keeping noise levels low, packing out your trash, and staying off adjacent lands without permission. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.
Enjoy fishing, wildlife-watching and natural scenery on this paddling trail. Be sure to check the TPWD Paddling Events Calendar for regularly updated activities.
Trail Map
Things to Do and See
Fishing
Fishing is great all year round in Palacios and Matagorda County. The shallow waters of the Tres Palacios Bay are home to many fish species including red drum, spotted seatrout, black drum, flounder, pompano, alligator gar, catfish and sheepshead. The shallow waters contain oyster shells so use caution if wade fishing.
Wildlife and Ecology
Paddling allows you the opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. A large variety of inland, shore and migratory birds can be seen at various times of the year including wild turkeys, geese, duck, sandhill cranes, white and brown pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, grebes, loons, gulls, terns, willets, curlews and white ibis, which has made Matagorda County the Official Birding Capital of Texas .
Dolphin frequent the Tres Palacios Bay as well as river otters, alligators, turtles. Some land animals seen are armadillo, white tailed deer and wild boar.
Rentals and Shuttles
Grassy Point Kayak
Kayak sales, rentals and kayak accessories. Shuttle Services Available. Call for hours and services.
801-913-5052
Website: GrassyPointKayak.com
Red Tide Rentals
Kayak, canoe, floatpad, powerboat and bike rentals. Limited shuttle services available. Call for hours and services.
979-541-3607
Website: RedTideRentals.com
Wananavu Outfitters
Stand up paddleboard sales and rentals, golf cart rentals. Call for hours and services.
512-207-0462
Website: WananavuOutfitters.com
Partnership
This trail is made possible by partnerships between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Matagorda County Seawall Commission, City of Palacios, Matagorda County Navigational District No. 1, Matagorda County Precinct #3, The Palacios Rotary Club and The Palacios Economic Development Committee.