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Texas | Prairies and Lakes
Colorado RiverHorseshoe on the Colorado to Utley (FM 969) Bridge
Short lower-Colorado day from TPWD's Horseshoe on the Colorado leased access to the FM 969 / Utley Bridge take-out. TPWD publishes the active access, exact coordinates, public-use conditions, and 6.8-mile downstream route, while the Bastrop USGS gauge gives the product-supported same-river flow 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 Horseshoe on the Colorado and paddle 6.8 lower-Colorado miles to the FM 969 / Utley Bridge access. Use the Colorado River at Bastrop gauge with a conservative 200 cfs floor, then make a same-day call on low-water dragging, heat, wind, regulated releases, debris, and private-bank discipline.
Access map
Put-in
Horseshoe on the ColoradoTPWD publishes Horseshoe as an active leased-access site through August 31, 2026, with the coordinate at 30.179637, -97.427311. Treat it as an access anchor and follow the signed parking and river-entry path on arrival.
Take-out
Utley (FM 969) BridgeText the Horseshoe landowner at least 24 hours before arrival with vehicle make, model, and license plate information; complete the waiver before using the property.
Road shuttle
Stage the FM 969 / Utley Bridge take-out first, then drive back to Horseshoe on the Colorado only after texting the landowner at least 24 hours ahead with vehicle make, model, and license plate information.
Additional access notes
- Horseshoe is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for bank angling and launching non-motorized boats, canoes, or kayaks for paddling or fishing.
- The immediate Horseshoe river access area is for loading and unloading only, parking must stay in the designated area, and TPWD says no firearms or alcohol are allowed on the property.
- Do not infer camping or casual private-bank stops from the short distance, sandbars, islands, or rural shoreline. No route source supports legal camping for this segment.
More route and safety guidance
- Low water near the conservative floor can expose shallow bars and slow the short day, while high or rising water after rain or release changes can add debris, stronger current, and harder exits.
- Use Horseshoe and the FM 969 / Utley Bridge as the planned public access pair. Do not infer public camping or casual bank use from sandbars, islands, or private shoreline.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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 Bastrop, TX. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 Bastrop, TX |
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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 shapeHorseshoe on the Colorado to Utley boat ramp at FM 969, 6.8 mi
TPWD says Horseshoe serves as the put-in for the 6.8-mile float downstream to the Utley boat ramp at FM 969; TPW Magazine independently describes the same Horseshoe-to-Utley route.
- Active leased access and coordinates30.179637, -97.427311; lease through August 31, 2026
TPWD publishes Horseshoe on the Colorado at 142 Frances Loop just off FM 969 and Howard Lane, with complimentary parking and non-motorized launch access for leased-access users.
- Public-use conditionsAdvance text, vehicle details, waiver, daylight use, loading/unloading only
TPWD requires texting vehicle information at least 24 hours before arrival, completing a waiver, parking only in the designated area, and limiting the immediate river access area to loading and unloading; no firearms or alcohol are allowed.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-10USGS 08159200 at 633 cfs / 3.03 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
Texas River Flows sets the first lower-Colorado floating-water level at 200 cfs. Treat it as a low-water cue; check current conditions and do not read it as a safety limit.
- Camping and endpoint rulesNo route camping
Horseshoe is published as a daily leased-access site from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and no TPWD, LCRA, or route-manager source supports legal camping for this selected day segment.
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
More on Colorado River
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