What are the best places to kayak in Texas?
What are the best places to kayak in Texas? If you’re looking to go kayaking in Texas, there are many different places where you can enjoy this activity and all the benefits it has to offer. Here are seven of the best places to kayak in Texas! These locations have beautiful scenery, wonderful wildlife, and great places to grab lunch or dinner after a fun day of kayaking.
Lake Austin – Austin, Texas
The most common type of kayaking around Austin is flat-water (as opposed to white water). This is especially true for Lake Austin, which boasts beautiful sights, nice weather and easy access. Check out Barton Creek Greenbelt if you’re looking for a smooth ride or go down Bull Creek if you want a little more action. Kayaking around Lake Austin will give you an excellent view of beautiful Austin and its surrounding hills. You can get as close as you’d like by paddling up close or staying just a bit farther away from shore by keeping your distance. Whatever way you choose, Lake Austin is one of the prettiest lakes in all of Texas.
Lady Bird Lake – Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas is a great place for active tourists, and visitors can choose from a variety of activities such as canoeing or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. Those who enjoy paddling can spend hours exploring and spotting wildlife along the shore. The water is calm and crystal clear, making it easy to spot various fish species like bass and sunfish. Kayakers should be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty, so it’s important for people to be prepared before they go out on their boats. Kayaks also aren’t allowed in some areas of Lady Bird Lake because of hazards like low-hanging trees.
Fort Worth Stockyards River Walk – Fort Worth, Texas
Nestled between downtown Fort Worth and Cowtown is a famous cowboy town with one of the best places to kayak in Texas. The banks of Trinity River at Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards is home to an established whitewater rapids that attracts tourists from all over world for one adventure. Whether you prefer rafting or kayaking, Outdoor Adventure Capital of Texas has just what you need. So whether your thrill comes from riding up very high in boats known as inflatables or going down extremely fast moving waters in rafts known as hard-shell boats; a few hours spent on North Richland Hills’ Tarrant County Reservoir allows visitors to do both – all while enjoying beautiful views of nature as they paddle around large lily pads floating upon Tarrant Reservoir’s blue waters.
Leon Creek Greenway – San Antonio, Texas
The Leon Creek Greenway is a part of San Antonio’s River’s Edge project. The greenway itself runs from downtown all the way up to Loop 1604, north of I-10. Along that trail, you’ll be able to see parts of Hemisfair Park, Brackenridge Park and even reach locations as far north as J and K streets. This greenway is perfect for newbie kayakers because there aren’t any big rapids or waterfalls; it has plenty of long stretches where you can take it slow, take photos and enjoy nature. There is also an access point just off Loop 410 near Ft. Sam Houston where you can pick up your car after your trip if you want to continue exploring.
Caddo Lake Loop , Texas
The Caddo Lake Loop is one of those perfect spots that’s just as fun for nature lovers as it is for outdoor adventurers. The lake itself isn’t huge, but it offers a peaceful and beautiful environment that really appeals to those who enjoy spending time on or near water. The loop also passes by other interesting sites, like Caddo Mountain State Park, Indian Mounds Historic Site and Toledo Bend Reservoir. If you’re looking for a chance to relax and have some fun with your friends or family, consider taking advantage of all there is here.
Brazos River – Bryan, Texas
The Brazos River is huge along this section and there is normally huge amount of water moving very quickly, but it was way down when we went, so this trip was really quiet and easy going. In fact, the water was so low there were places where the river bed was exposed and the ground was covered with petrified wood.
This trip could vary greatly with changes in water level. It’s a beautiful river and since there is relatively little boat/people traffic the fish get giant. We saw lots of carp and gar that were 3 and 4 feet long plus.
The banks along the river are tall and steep so it takes two people to get the kayaks in and out of the river.
Blanco River Loop – Wimberley, Texas
The Blanco River Loop is by far one of my favorite kayaking spots in Central Texas. This easy, four-mile paddle runs along beautiful tree-lined banks and empties into Lake Travis. The peacefulness of a slow moving river is a great way to unplug and enjoy nature while still being close enough to civilization that you can get back home easily if needed. There’s also a put-in right off Highway 71 on River Road, which makes it an easy destination for anyone living in Austin or San Antonio.