See all 5 routes on Medina River
Texas | Texas Hill Country
Medina RiverBandera City Park Dam to English Crossing
Downstream Bandera-area Medina River day trip from the Bandera City Park Dam access anchor to English Crossing. TRPA publishes this as a 12.5-mile featured run, ties lower-Medina paddling to the direct Bandera USGS gauge, warns not to run the City Park dam, and states public camping on the Medina is limited to Pioneer River Resort.
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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 below the Bandera City Park Dam access area and take out at English Crossing for a 12.5-mile downstream Medina River day. Use the direct Bandera gauge, expect shallow dragging near today's 55 cfs level, and keep the city-park dam and private banks out of the paddling plan.
Access map
Put-in
Bandera City Park DamTRPA's Bandera City Park Dam and English Crossing map links resolve to source-backed access anchors; they are not guessed mid-channel water-entry points.
Take-out
English CrossingBandera City Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes before sundown, charges weekend and holiday entry fees, prohibits camping, prohibits swimming near or standing on the dam, and says water entry is from the river bank only.
Road shuttle
Stage a legal take-out vehicle at English Crossing first, then return to Bandera City Park during posted park hours. Treat the Bandera City Park Dam coordinate as an access anchor only: start below the dam where current park rules, signs, and safe river-bank conditions permit, and do not run or stand on the dam.
Additional access notes
- TRPA marks the upstream access with a do-not-run dam warning. Start below the dam only where current city-park rules, signs, and safe bank conditions allow.
- The lower Medina floor is 30 cfs, with 300 cfs as an ideal cue. At lower flows, expect exposed gravel, dragging, and slower travel; check the live gauge before launch.
- TRPA says almost all adjacent Medina River property is private. Keep stops to lawful public access and do not treat private banks, cabins, ranch roads, or gravel bars as public bailout or camping options.
More route and safety guidance
- Bandera City Park rules prohibit swimming near or standing on the dam and allow water entry only from the river bank.
- TRPA says almost all land along the Medina River is private and paddlers should use public road crossings for access; do not treat nearby banks, gravel bars, ranch roads, or cabins as casual stops or camps.
- Use same-day USGS 08178880, recent rain, local weather, and Bandera-area water-quality information before launch because Hill Country rivers can rise quickly after storms and low flows can leave a 12.5-mile route scrape-prone.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
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River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Medina Rv at Bandera, TX. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
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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 | Medina Rv at Bandera, TX |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 30 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Texas Rivers Protection Association Medina River guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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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 shapeBandera City Park Dam to English Crossing, 12.5 mi
TRPA lists Bandera City Park Dam to English Crossing as a featured Main Medina run and gives the route mileage.
- Public access coordinates29.7222995, -99.0702231 to 29.6819834, -98.9758513
TRPA's Bandera City Park Dam and English Crossing map links resolve to these Google Maps access anchors; they are not guessed mid-channel water-entry points.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-12USGS 08178880 at 54.8 cfs / 4.25 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.
- Threshold posture30 cfs floor; 300-1,500 cfs ideal; 2,000 cfs ceiling
TRPA says the Medina needs about 30 cfs from town of Medina and below, is ideal around 300-1,500 cfs, and should not be attempted above about 2,000 cfs.
- CampingNearby basecamp only
Bandera City Park rules prohibit camping. TRPA says the only public camping along the Medina River is Pioneer River Resort in Bandera; no private-bank, gravel-bar, road-crossing, or park camping is inferred.
- SafetyDo-not-run dam, private banks, low water, floods and long-day exposure
TRPA flags the City Park dam with a do-not-run warning and warns that low water can require dragging while high flows require strong navigation skills; Bandera City Park rules also prohibit standing or swimming near the dam.
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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All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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