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Texas | Palo Pinto County
Brazos RiverHwy 16 Bridge to FM 4 at Dark Valley Creek
Classic 19.5-mile Upper-Middle Brazos canoe-camping reach from the BRA river access below Possum Kingdom Dam at Hwy 16 to the FM 4/Dark Valley Creek take-out served by Rochelle's Canoe Rental. TRPA publishes the route shape, class, flow bands, and endpoint maps; current access requires reservation/shuttle planning at the FM 4 outfitter.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at the BRA Hwy 16 river access below Possum Kingdom Dam, paddle the 19.5-mile Upper-Middle Brazos reach, and take out at the arranged FM 4/Dark Valley Bridge outfitter endpoint. Check USGS 08089000, dam releases, rainfall, wind, water quality, and current reservation/access terms before committing.
Access map
Put-in
BRA Brazos River Area #7 / Hwy 16 BridgeThe Hwy 16 coordinate is a BRA access anchor at the bridge-area river access, not a surveyed wetted-edge coordinate; follow the signed BRA access path and current parking rules.
Take-out
FM 4 at Dark Valley Creek / Rochelle's Canoe RentalThe FM 4 coordinate is the bridge/outfitter access anchor. Rochelle's current website describes the trip and shuttle but access is reservation-dependent; confirm the exact landing, fee, parking, and vehicle-staging terms before departure.
Road shuttle
This is a point-to-point reach. Arrange the FM 4/Dark Valley take-out and vehicle/equipment shuttle with Rochelle's Canoe Rental before launch; do not assume the bridge is a free public ramp or that an unreserved outfitter landing is available.
Additional access notes
- Adjoining river banks are private even though the riverbed and banks are state-owned for lawful recreation. Stay within the bed and banks and do not cross fences, yards, ranch roads, or private campsites.
- The route is remote with limited cell service and no public campgrounds. Carry redundant navigation, water, repair equipment, and an emergency communication plan.
More route and safety guidance
- BRA warns that rainfall and upstream releases can produce rapid increases in river level and speed. Check the live gauge, Possum Kingdom release information, rainfall, and weather immediately before launch and during the trip.
- At or near the 150 cfs floor, expect exposed gravel, shallow riffles, scraping, and slower travel. Turn around or postpone if the actual reach is lower, falling quickly, obstructed, or visibly unsafe even when the gauge is above the floor.
- Use the BRA Hwy 16 access and the arranged FM 4/Rochelle's take-out only. Most adjoining banks are private; do not trespass or improvise a landing at a bridge, residence, or ranch road.
- The reach is remote and has limited cell service. Carry redundant navigation, water, repair equipment, emergency communications, and enough daylight margin to reach the arranged take-out or a lawful riverbed campsite.
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Conditions
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Brazos Rv nr Palo Pinto, TX. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Brazos Rv nr Palo Pinto, TX |
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| Preferred range | 225 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 5,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
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| Main source behind this score | Texas Rivers Protection Association Upper-Middle Brazos flow guidance |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route shape and endpoint mapsHwy 16 Bridge to FM 4 at Dark Valley Creek, 19.5 mi
TRPA publishes the named put-in/take-out maps, length, Class I-II rating, canoe/kayak use, and year-round weather/flow caveat.
- Hwy 16 public accessBRA Brazos River Area #7, 200 Red Bluff Road, below Possum Kingdom Dam
BRA documents small-boat river access by the Hwy 16 bridge, approximately ten campsites, restrooms, picnic areas, no fee, and year-round operation.
- FM 4 outfitter endpointRochelle's Canoe Rental adjacent to the Dark Valley Bridge
Rochelle's current location page gives the FM 4 bridge approach; its trip page identifies the 19.5-mile Hwy 16-to-Dark Valley Bridge trip and vehicle/equipment shuttle. Reserve and confirm current access before travel.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-24USGS 08089000 at 184 cfs / 1.57 ft on 2026-08-24
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Route-specific threshold150 cfs minimum; 225-1,500 cfs ideal; 5,000 cfs maximum
TRPA publishes numeric flow guidance tied to this exact reach and gauge references. Treat the floor as a conservative go/no-go screen, not a safety certification.
- Camping and legal accessRiverbed/gravel-bar camping allowed within state-owned bed and banks; no public campgrounds on the reach
BRA states camping is allowed when confined to the bed and banks and warns about private adjoining property and rapid rises. Rochelle's says there are no parks or public camping facilities; carry all gear and use only lawful riverbed sites.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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