Guadalupe
3. Farm Road 3351 to Rebecca Creek Crossing
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 22.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 6 fpm |
| Gauge | Guadalupe Rv Nr Spring Branch, Tx |
| Flow Rate as of 54 minutes | 45 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 10, 2024 |
River Description
The Upper Guadalupe is a relatively beginner-friendly stretch of river popular with canoeists and recreational kayakers looking to paddle in a more secluded setting, free of the wall-to-wall tubers and private homes that adorn the Lower Guadalupe. Except in runoff events, during which the river can be very silty, it is usually fed by spring flow and thus runs clean. Except during extreme droughts, the Upper Guadalupe generally maintains a reasonable base flow.
The Upper Guad does not have a lot of gradient, so there are only a handful of named rapids on this entire 25-mile stretch of river. Rapids are typically short and are separated by pools sometimes miles long. Thus, whitewater boaters tend to avoid the Upper Guad unless it is flowing thousands of cfs, and they tend to prefer the stretch below U.S. 281, because it has the largest rapids (including Mueller Falls and Rust Falls) and the least flat water.
With the exception of the afore-mentioned falls, most of the rapids are basic Class I-II rock gardens with little consequence.
The most popular day trips are from Bergheim (FM 3351) to Guadalupe River State Park (7.8 miles) and from Nichol's Landing to Rebecca Creek Rd. (9.8 miles, often shortened to 6 miles by putting in at U.S. 281.) The latter stretch has been designated a Texas Paddling Trail by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.
For more information, see Texas Whitewater, 2nd Edition.
Distances and gradient measured using GIS tools in 2015.
River Features
FM 3351 Crossing (Bergheim)
Public access is at river left (north of the bridge) on the downstream side via a dirt/gravel road that runs along the highway easement. Paddlers can also pay to park and put in at Bergheim Campground. The campground also rents canoes and kayaks and runs shuttles for an additional fee.
Edge Falls Road (Low-Water Crossing)
This low-water crossing can become clogged wtih debris, and at least one person has drowned by becoming trapped in debris under the crossing. There is no real parking here.
Guadalupe River State Park
Public access at river right with a paved parking lot and bathroom facilities. Camping is also available in the state park (do not camp along the river.) Day use fee or State Parks Pass required to put in/take out.
Historical footnote: David Bamberger, former CEO of Church's Fried Chicken, owned the primary tract of land that became Guadalupe River State Park. In the early 70s, he agreed to sell the land to the state at a price significantly below market value, because he recognized the need for public river access along the Upper Guadalupe. Bamberger is also a conservation pioneer, and his ranch (Selah Bamberger Ranch) at the headwaters of Miller Creek serves as a model for both wildlife and groundwater (spring) conservation in the Texas Hill Country.
Low-Water Crossing
Known to be runnable at higher flows, but portage if it looks the least bit sketchy.
Nichol's Landing
Public access and parking is available at river left (at the end of Old Spring Branch Rd.) This is a popular put-in for doing a longer day trip down to Rebecca Creek Rd. The relatively flat stretch of river from Nichol's Landing to U.S. 281 is also popular with tubers during the summer.
Southwest Paddler warns that vehicles parked here after dark will be towed, but it is unknown whether that beta is current.
U.S. 281 Bridge
No public access, but you can pay one of the river outfitters.
FM 311 Bridge
Not a very good access point. Requires parking along the highway and hiking up/down a fairly steep hill to get to the river.
Rebecca Creek Crossing
A new high bridge was completed in 2013, with a paved takeout area at river left on the upstream side. You can temporarily park your vehicle here while taking out, but do not leave it here. Instead, park it in the gravel along the downriver side of Rebecca Creek Rd. about 150 yards up the hill from the takeout.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe best rapid we experienced that day, Rock Pile Rapid is located 1 mile downstream from our put in, FM3351. I had the pleasure of borrowing the photographer’s kayak, a Dagger Blackwater 10.5 (skeg up!) for this shot. The half-day 8 mile adventure took us to the take out, Guadalupe State Park.
The trip was wonderfull from Farm Road 3351 to Rebecca Creek Crossing.It was about an 8 hour trip at 1000cfs. Some nice little sets of rapids. great for sit-on-top kayaks and some skill. Go before 2:30pm or you will be in the dark and have get around the last fall before the bridge. I wish i could have went off it, but was to dark to see anything.
Rock Pile Rapid is about 1 mile below FM 3351
Paddled the Guadalupe at ~200 cfs from Guadalupe River State Park down to the takeout at the Rebecca Creek bridge. This level is a little on the low side, and makes for some long slow stretches that can wear out the shoulders. Still, had fun on maybe four sets of rapids. Our Keowee III's low sides flooded us while driving over the horseshoe at Rust Falls. A good family float river with lots of places to swim.