See all 2 routes on North Prong Medina River
Texas | Texas Hill Country
North Prong Medina RiverFreeman Crossing to Moffett Park
North Prong Medina day run from Freeman Crossing at SH 16 to Moffett Park in Medina. TRPA publishes this 6.3-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.
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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 Freeman Crossing and take out at Moffett Park for a 6.3-mile North Prong Medina run. Use the Patterson Road gauge, treat 50 cfs as the North Prong floor, and skip the route if crossings, wood, weather, or private-bank access make the plan ambiguous.
Access map
Put-in
Freeman Crossing at SH 16TRPA's Google map links resolve to exact access-anchor coordinates for Freeman Crossing and Moffett Park, 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
Moffett Park, MedinaTRPA 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 Moffett Park first, then return to Freeman Crossing at SH 16. 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
- 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
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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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 | 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 |
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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 shapeFreeman Crossing at SH 16 to Moffett Park, 6.3 mi
TRPA lists Freeman Crossing at SH 16-to-Moffett Park in Medina as a North Prong Medina featured run and gives the route mileage.
- Public access coordinates29.85418, -99.2796359 to 29.7945195, -99.2490676
TRPA's Freeman Crossing and Moffett Park 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 · 2026-08-11USGS 0817887350 at 48.5 cfs / 4.70 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, low-water crossings, private banks, drought, floods and wood
TRPA frames the Medina corridor as Class I-III, says high flows above about 300 cfs require stronger navigation skills, warns of drought dragging and floods, 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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