White Water Paddling in Austin, TX

Austin and the surrounding Texas Hill Country are kept alive by aquifers and the rivers and streams that flow from them. These features also keep us having fun, especially when they run fast.

Although Texas has suffered one of the worst multi-year droughts in history, and water levels are low, especially in summer, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the hundreds of Austin-area waterways.

About 30 minutes south of downtown is one of the best whitewater spots in central Texas, the Rio Vista Whitewater Park. With 70-degree water year-round, three rapids, a 3-boat-wide standing wave, full park amenities, and more, this is one of the best places around.

Nearby is the San Marcos River, which only has real whitewater in wet seasons but is still one of the better runs in the state. Also not far from these spots is the Guadalupe River, one of the quintessential central Texas whitewater routes—all within an hour from downtown Austin.