See all 5 routes on Medina River
Texas | Texas Hill Country
Medina RiverPeaceful Valley Road to Ranger Crossing
Short Medina River day trip from Peaceful Valley Road Crossing to Ranger Crossing at Highway 16. TRPA publishes this 3.8-mile featured run, map-link access anchors, public-road-crossing access framing, private-bank cautions, Medina River flow bands, and USGS current-condition links for the same river corridor.
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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 Peaceful Valley Road and take out at Ranger Crossing for a 3.8-mile Medina River day trip. Use the Patterson Road gauge, cross-check the Bandera gauge, expect shallow dragging near the 30 cfs floor, and keep stops to lawful public access because most adjacent land is private.
Access map
Put-in
Peaceful Valley Road CrossingTRPA's Google map links resolve to exact access-anchor coordinates for Peaceful Valley Road and Ranger Crossing, but final water entry and exit should follow current signs, road-shoulder conditions, and safe banks rather than a projected mid-channel point.
Take-out
Ranger Crossing at Highway 16TRPA says almost all property adjacent to the Medina River is private. Use public road crossings for access and do not treat private banks, cabins, camps, or ranch roads as public stops.
Road shuttle
Stage Ranger Crossing at Highway 16 first, then return to Peaceful Valley Road. Use only the TRPA-named public road-crossing access anchors and current roadside conditions; do not rely on private banks for shuttle, bailout, or casual stops.
Additional access notes
- The lower Medina floor is 30 cfs, with 300 cfs as an ideal cue. At lower flows, expect exposed gravel, dragging, and slower travel; compare both gauges and local conditions before launch.
- Downstream Bandera-area water-quality cautions on the TRPA page are not the primary evidence for this short reach, but paddlers should still avoid paddling after local runoff or visible contamination.
More route and safety guidance
- TRPA warns the Medina can be very low in drought and that high flows require sound navigation skills. At and below about 20 cfs, dragging over rock or gravel bars should be expected.
- Use same-day USGS 0817887350, downstream USGS 08178880, recent rain, and local weather before launch because Hill Country rivers can rise quickly after storms and wood can shift between public crossings.
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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
Medina Rv at Patterson Rd at Medina, 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 | Medina Rv at Patterson Rd at Medina, TX |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | 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 shapePeaceful Valley Road Crossing to Ranger Crossing at Hwy 16, 3.8 mi
TRPA lists Peaceful Valley Road Crossing to Ranger Crossing at Hwy 16 as one of its Medina River featured runs and gives the route mileage.
- Public access coordinates29.7439466, -99.1487218 to 29.7369976, -99.1232512
TRPA's Peaceful Valley Road and Ranger Crossing map links resolve to these Google Maps coordinates; they are stored as access anchors, with final water-entry adjusted to current signs and bank conditions on arrival.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-11USGS 0817887350 at 49.6 cfs / 4.71 ft; USGS 08178880 at 59.0 cfs / 4.29 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.
- CampingNo public on-route camping selected
TRPA says the only public camping along the Medina River is Pioneer River Resort in Bandera, downstream from this selected reach; do not infer legal camping from private banks or road crossings.
- SafetyPrivate banks, low water, floods, wood and road-crossing access
TRPA warns that almost all adjacent property is private, public road crossings should be used for access, low flows can mean dragging, and high flows over about 300 cfs require stronger navigation skills.
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 Medina River
All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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