See all 2 routes on North Prong Medina River
Texas | Texas Hill Country
North Prong Medina River3rd Crossing to Freeman Crossing
North Prong Medina day run from 3rd Crossing of FR 2107 to Freeman Crossing at SH 16. TRPA publishes this 6.6-mile featured run, map-link access anchors, Class I-III corridor context, private-bank rules, and Medina flow bands tied to the product-supported Patterson Road gauge downstream.
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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 3rd Crossing of FR 2107 and take out at Freeman Crossing for a 6.6-mile North Prong Medina run. Use the Patterson Road gauge, treat 50 cfs as the North Prong floor, and skip the route if crossings, drops, wood, weather, or private-bank access make the plan ambiguous.
Access map
Put-in
3rd Crossing of FR 2107TRPA's Google map links resolve to exact access-anchor coordinates for 3rd Crossing and Freeman 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
Freeman Crossing at SH 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 Freeman Crossing at SH 16 first, then return to 3rd Crossing of FR 2107. 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
- TRPA's North Prong guidance uses 50 cfs as a floor and 300 cfs as an ideal cue. Below the floor, expect exposed limestone, dragging, and slower travel; check live flow before launch.
- TRPA says all low-water crossings are potential hazards. If a crossing is posted, blocked, pushy, fenced, or unsafe, skip the route rather than inventing a private alternate.
More route and safety guidance
- TRPA calls out Chamblee Falls on the North Prong as a 10 ft drop followed soon by another 4 ft drop. Treat the upper North Prong corridor as scout-required whitewater and portage any drop, ledge, fence, or crossing that is not clearly within the group's ability.
- All low-water crossings should be treated as hazards. Scout road crossings, limestone drops, wood, fences, and blind bends rather than assuming the mapped access anchor is a safe water-entry line.
- TRPA says almost all land along the Medina River is private and paddlers should use public road crossings for access; do not use private banks for casual stops or camps.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
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Measurement notes and coverage
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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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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 |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 50 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 |
| 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.
- Route shape3rd Crossing of FR 2107 to Freeman Crossing at SH 16, 6.6 mi
TRPA lists 3rd Crossing of FR 2107-to-Freeman Crossing at SH 16 as a North Prong Medina featured run and gives the route mileage.
- Public access coordinates29.8763326, -99.3483821 to 29.85418, -99.2796359
TRPA's 3rd Crossing and Freeman Crossing map links resolve to these Google Maps coordinates; they are stored as access anchors, with final water-entry adjusted to current signs, road-shoulder conditions, and safe banks.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-12USGS 0817887350 at 47.4 cfs / 4.69 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 posture50 cfs North Prong floor; 300-1,500 cfs ideal; 2,000 cfs ceiling
TRPA says the North Prong minimum is 50 cfs, the Medina is ideal around 300-1,500 cfs, and the river 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 North Prong reach; no road-crossing, gravel-bar, or private-bank camping is inferred.
- SafetyClass I-III, North Prong drops, low-water crossings, private banks, drought, floods and wood
TRPA frames the Medina corridor as Class I-III, says the North Prong is known for whitewater after rain, calls out Chamblee Falls and a second drop, warns that high flows above about 300 cfs require stronger navigation skill, and says all low-water crossings are potential hazards.
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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