See all 7 routes on Guadalupe River
Texas | Texas Hill Country
Guadalupe RiverGuadalupe River State Park to Nichol's Landing
Official five-mile Guadalupe River State Park trail from the park access to Nichol's Landing / Specht's Crossing. TPWD publishes the route, endpoint coordinates, and low-water-crossing portage, while the Spring Branch USGS gauge gives a product-supported Upper Guadalupe 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 Guadalupe River State Park and take out at Nichol's Landing for TPWD's five-mile state-park Upper Guadalupe trail. Use USGS 08167500 near Spring Branch with TRPA's conservative Upper Guadalupe range, then make a same-day call on low-water dragging, the mandatory carry, rising water, wood, and private-bank limits.
Access map
Put-in
Guadalupe River State Park paddling accessTPWD publishes both endpoint coordinates, but the state-park access is fee-controlled and Nichol's Landing is a simple river-access site rather than a staffed paddling center.
Take-out
Nichol's Landing (Specht's Crossing)The Spring Branch gauge is the product-supported Upper Guadalupe flow check used by this route family and the downstream Nichol's Landing trail. It sits just below this five-mile segment, so still scout the low-water crossing and visible level before launching.
Road shuttle
Stage Nichol's Landing first, then drive back to Guadalupe River State Park. Confirm state-park entry, river access, and any current Nichol's Landing parking or access fees before leaving vehicles.
Additional access notes
- TPWD says private-property use outside portaging hazards can be trespassing. Keep stops to public access points or direct hazard-portage corridors.
- This route uses broad Upper Guadalupe TRPA flow guidance rather than a manager-published rapid-by-rapid band for the state-park reach. Downgrade the day if weather, gauge trend, or local access conditions are moving the wrong way.
More route and safety guidance
- TPWD says paddlers must exit and carry around the low-water crossing about 0.5 mile below the park boundary; scout with margin before committing.
- Use Nichol's Landing as the planned take-out and keep private-bank stops limited to direct hazard portages.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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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
Guadalupe Rv nr Spring Branch, 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
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 | Guadalupe Rv nr Spring Branch, TX |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 1,200 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 5,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Texas Rivers Protection Association Upper Guadalupe flow guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-09USGS 08167500 at 347 cfs / 3.28 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.
- Official route shapeGuadalupe River State Park to Nichol's Landing, 5 mi
TPWD identifies the Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail as a five-mile route from the park to Nichol's Landing / Specht's Crossing with a 2-4 hour float time.
- Endpoint coordinates29.8720, -98.4900 to 29.8790, -98.4480
TPWD publishes GPS coordinates for the Guadalupe River State Park access and Nichol's Landing, with the state park as the put-in and Specht's Crossing / Nichol's Landing as the take-out.
- Threshold posture100 cfs minimum; 300-1,200 cfs ideal; 5,000 cfs maximum
TRPA publishes Upper Guadalupe flow guidance tied to the Spring Branch gauge family; Paddle Today uses the full range conservatively and keeps the route behind the whitewater filter.
- Safety and accessLow-water-crossing portage plus private-bank limits
TPWD says paddlers must exit and carry around a low-water crossing about 0.5 mile below the park boundary, and that use of private property outside direct hazard portages can be trespassing.
- CampingEndpoint campground
Guadalupe River State Park has drive-up campsites with electricity, walk-in tent sites, and primitive sites at the put-in; no private-bank or informal on-route camping is inferred for the five-mile route.
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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