Guadalupe River State Park

3350 Park Rd 31
Spring Branch TX 78070
830/438-2656
Park locator map

History: Guadalupe River State Park is located along the boundary of Comal and Kendall Counties. It was acquired by deed from private owners in 1974 and was opened to the public in 1983. The park is bisected by the clear-flowing waters of the Guadalupe River. The park is comprised of a 1938.7-acre segment of the Texas Hill Country noted for its ruggedness and scenic beauty.

Activities: The park has 4 miles of river frontage and is located in the middle of a 9-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River. Park visitors may enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, swimming, tubing, picnicking, hiking, and camping. The park recently opened a 5.3 miles equestrian trail that is also open to mountain biking. No equestrian camping is available at the park. Opportunities also exist for less vigorous but more serene pursuits, such as bird watching and nature study. Tours: There is a two-hour guided interpretive tour of the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area. The tour emphasizing history, geology, flora, and fauna is given Saturday at 9:00 a.m.; call park to confirm.

The web site maintained by The Friends of Guadalupe River / Honey Creek Organization, offers more information about this area and on volunteer opportunities at this park. Information on other volunteer opportunities at State Parks.

Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Honey Creek State Natural Area and Blanco State Park; in San Antonio, the Casa Navarro State Historic Site and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park which includes the Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. You may want to refer to nearby L.C.R.A. parks .

Facilities: Convenient access to the Guadalupe River is available from the day-use area which has picnic sites and ample parking. For longer visits, there are camping areas to suit different preferences, and Campsites with water and electricity can accommodate recreational vehicles and trailers; another area has campsites with water for tent campers, and a separate area with walk-in tent campsites with water in the area. Drinking water and sanitary facilities are provided at the picnic and camping areas, and the restrooms at the water or water and electricity campsite areas have showers. The park also has a trailer dump station, 3 miles of hiking trails, and a Texas State Park Store which has quality gifts, nature items, and books for children and adults.

Park & Facility Fees
Facility & Trail Map (PDF 227.8 KB)

Flora/Fauna: The Guadalupe River, with banks lined by huge bald cypress trees, is the park's most outstanding natural feature. On its winding path through the park, the river courses over four natural rapids; and two steep limestone bluffs reflect its awesome erosive power. Trees in lower elevations and bottom lands include sycamore, elm, basswood, pecan, walnut, persimmon, willow, and hackberry. In the uplands away from the river, the limestone terrain is typical of the Edwards Plateau and has oak and juniper woodlands, with interspersed grasslands.

One area of virgin Ashe juniper woodland provides the proper nesting habitat for the rare golden-cheeked warbler. In addition to numerous species of birds, the park supports a wide variety of wild animals including white-tailed deer, coyote, gray fox, skunk, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, and armadillo. Other smaller species abound, and efforts of wildlife observers are usually well-rewarded.

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Weather: January average 60, July average 86, first/last freeze: November 15/March 15.

National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Schedule: Open: 7 days/week year-round, except for Public Hunts. Check the Calendar for access restrictions. Busy Season: March through November.

Directions: The park is located 30 miles north of San Antonio at the north end of Park Road 31. It may be reached by traveling west on State Highway 46, 8 miles west of the intersection of State Highway 46 and US Highway 281 or by traveling eastward on State Highway 46, 13 miles east of Boerne.

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.