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Texas | Prairies and Lakes
Colorado RiverBusiness 71 Crossing to Beason's Park
Official Columbus Paddling Trail route around the Colorado River horseshoe through town. TPWD publishes the public Business 71 put-in, Beason's Park take-out, 6.5-mile route shape, and private-bank rules, while the Columbus USGS gauge gives a direct same-reach condition check.
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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 71 Business Crossing and take out at Beason's Park for the official Columbus Paddling Trail around the Colorado River horseshoe. Use USGS 08161000 at Columbus with a conservative 200 cfs floor, then make a same-day call on shallow spots, wind, heat, private banks, and rising water.
Access map
Put-in
71 Business CrossingTPWD publishes both endpoint coordinates, but the 71 Business Crossing put-in is a simple bridge-side boat-ramp access rather than a staffed livery launch.
Take-out
Beason's ParkBeason's Park is the planned public finish and has parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a pavilion. Do not drift past the take-out assuming downstream banks are public.
Road shuttle
Stage Beason's Park first, then drive back to the 71 Business Crossing / North River Bridge put-in. TPWD describes Beason's Park as the improved take-out with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a pavilion, but the put-in is still a bridge-side boat-ramp access that should be checked before leaving vehicles.
Additional access notes
- This route uses a conservative minimum-only threshold from broad lower-Colorado guidance plus local same-gauge reports. If the Columbus gauge is near or below about 200 cfs, expect shallow route-finding around islands and sandy bars.
- TPWD says private-bank use outside direct hazard portages can be trespassing. Keep stops on clearly public access points or within the navigable streambed rules.
- Do not infer legal route camping from islands, sandbars, or historic Beason's Crossing camping references. The Paddle Today route package treats official Columbus trail use as day-only.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect sandy banks, islands, shallow spots near the conservative floor, and occasional wood or shifting lines after high water.
- Use the Business 71 Crossing put-in and Beason's Park take-out as the planned public access pair, and do not treat private banks as casual stops outside direct hazard portages.
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Conditions
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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
Colorado Rv at Columbus, 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 | Colorado Rv at Columbus, TX |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Texas River Flows lower Colorado table |
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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.
- Official route shape71 Business Crossing to Beason's Park, 6.5 mi
TPWD identifies the Columbus Paddling Trail as a 6.5-mile Colorado River route through town, usually taking about 2 to 5 hours depending on water level and flow.
- Public endpoint coordinates29.7128, -96.5466 to 29.7055, -96.5360
TPWD publishes the 71 Business Crossing put-in and Beason's Park take-out with GPS coordinates; Beason's Park has parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a pavilion.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-09USGS 08161000 at 365 cfs / 9.67 ft
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.
- Conservative low-water floor200 cfs minimum-only
The legacy Texas River Flows table lists lower Colorado segments into Columbus with 200 cfs as the minimum floating-water level. Paddle Today applies only that conservative floor to the direct Columbus gauge and does not infer an ideal or upper band.
- Safety and access contextCalm rapids, sandy islands, private banks, changing flow and wind
TPWD describes peaceful water with calm rapids, islands in the first third of the trail, sandy banks, and private-property limits; local route reports support shallow-spot and same-gauge flow caution around ordinary levels.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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