See all 3 routes on San Marcos River
Texas | Prairies and Lakes
San Marcos RiverSH 90 River Crossing to Zedler Mill Park
Official six-mile Luling Zedler Mill trail from the SH 90 river crossing to Zedler Mill Park. TPWD publishes the public endpoints, coordinates, gentle Class I character, and the downstream dam warning, while the Luling USGS gauge gives a direct same-river condition 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 the SH 90 River Crossing and take out at Zedler Mill Park for the official Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail. Use USGS 08172000 at Luling with a conservative 100 cfs floor, then make a same-day call on wood, weather, private-bank discipline, and the mandatory Zedler Mill exit.
Access map
Put-in
SH 90 River CrossingTPWD publishes both endpoint coordinates and says parking is available at both locations, but this remains a simple public trail access plan rather than a staffed livery take-out.
Take-out
Zedler Mill ParkZedler Mill Park is the planned finish. TPWD warns that a dam lies beyond the mill, so do not drift past the take-out.
Road shuttle
Stage the Zedler Mill Park take-out first, then drive back to the SH 90 River Crossing west of Luling. TPWD says parking is available at both locations, but both should still be checked before leaving vehicles.
Additional access notes
- The San Marcos River is navigable here, but TPWD says private-bank use outside direct hazard portages can be trespassing.
- This route uses a conservative minimum-only threshold, not a full ideal-range recommendation. If the Luling gauge is near or below 100 cfs, expect more shallow route-finding and wood avoidance.
More route and safety guidance
- TPWD describes numerous snags and logjams on this otherwise gentle reach, especially when water levels are low.
- The San Marcos is navigable here, but TPWD warns that using private banks outside direct hazard portages can be trespassing.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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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
San Marcos Rv at Luling, 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 | San Marcos Rv at Luling, 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Texas River Flows five-level San Marcos / Luling gauge table |
| 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.
- Official route shapeSH 90 River Crossing to Zedler Mill Park, 6.0 mi
TPWD identifies the Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail as a six-mile San Marcos River route usually floated in two to four hours.
- Public endpoint coordinates29.6679, -97.6999 to 29.6671, -97.6519
TPWD publishes the SH 90 River Crossing put-in and Zedler Mill Park take-out coordinates and says parking is available at both locations.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-09USGS 08172000 at 118 cfs / 3.93 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.
- Conservative low-water floor100 cfs minimum-only
The Texas River Flows five-level table lists the San Marcos Luling-to-Gonzales segment on the Luling gauge at 100 / 150 / 300 / 1000 / 1500 cfs, with level 1 defined as minimum floating water.
- Safety and access contextSnags, private-bank limits, and downstream dam
TPWD says the route has small Class I rapids and quiet pools, warns that snags and logjams are numerous at low water, explains private-bank limits, and flags the dam beyond Zedler Mill.
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 San Marcos River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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