Your Guide to Kayaking/Canoeing the Lower Colorado River

This is the final access point on the lower Colorado River. The park is at the mouth of the Colorado River on the Gulf of Mexico. It is at the end of CR 2031.

Managed by: LCRA Parks

This ramp is 1 mile downstream of the Intracoastal Waterway. The ramp provides access to the last 6 miles of the Colorado River, Intracoastal Waterway and portions of Matagorda Bay. River access is downstream right.

Managed by: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This park was developed by LCRA and is open 24 hours a day. It is 4 miles west of Wadsworth on FM 521. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Matagorda County Pct. 3

The park is 1 1/2 miles off FM 2668 and is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Bay City

This access point is one mile west of Bay City off Hwy 35. If you plan to travel toward the Gulf of Mexico, there is no portage around Bay City Dam. LCRA recommends you take out at this location due to the proximity of Bay City Dam. The next public access to the river is at Riverside Park, south of Bay City. River access downstream right.

Managed by: Bay City

This park is at the end of Wharton County Road 444, 4 miles east of FM 1162 and open 24 hours a day. Camping is permitted. River access is on your right as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: LCRA Parks

This access point features an unimproved dirt path leading from FM 960 to the river’s steep edge. River access is downstream right.

Managed by: TxDOT

This site provides pedestrian access to the river from the FM 950 right of way. A dirt path leads to the river’s steep banks. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: TxDOT

A boat ramp is located 3 miles east of Altair on the south side of US 90A. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: LCRA Parks

This park features a day-use area. The access point is in Columbus off of US 90. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Colorado County

River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This park is a day-use only area. From Austin, travel east on Hwy 71 for 12 miles past Smithville, and turn left on Prairie Valley Road (CR 448). Camping is permitted for those arriving by river or by prior arrangement with LCRA parks. River access is on your right as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: LCRA Parks

This park is open 24 hours a day. River access is on your left, downstream of a wooden pier, as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: City of Smithville

Boat ramp is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Lost Pines Nature Trail site is adjacent to the Pines and Prairies Land Trust’s Colorado River Refuge (from Hwy 71, south on Tahitian Drive, right on Riverside Drive). This 30-acre park, open 24 hours a day, is on the left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Bastrop County

This landmark may be found near downtown Bastrop at the end of Farm Street. Boat ramp is open at 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: City of Bastrop

This park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. It is located at the corner of Charles Boulevard and Hasler Shores (behind Bastrop Intermediate School). A concrete boat ramp enters the water on the right as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: City of Bastrop

River users will find this site north of FM 1209 and FM 969 intersection. The access point is on the left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: TxDOT

This park, operated by Travis County, is on Park Lane off Webberville Drive and west of FM 969. Park is open at 8 a.m. until dark each day and is located on the left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: Travis County Parks

This park is off of FM 969, approximately 5 miles west of Webberville. This access is on the left as you paddle downstream. Park is open 24 hours a day.

Managed by: Travis County Parks

Visitors can find this site downstream of Austin on the north side of FM 973 on the left as you paddle downstream. There is limited parking alongside the bridge, and boat launching requires a transport over uneven ground.

Managed by: TxDOT

This is the first public access point downstream of Longhorn Dam in Austin. This access, maintained by TxDOT, is on the left as you paddle downstream. The stretch from here to FM 973 requires a river left portage around a low-head dam, 4.75 miles downstream.

Managed by: TxDOT

This park, maintained by City of La Grange, is on the south side of Hwy 71 Business, located 2 miles past the exit and open 24 hours a day. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream.

Managed by: City of La Grange

This day-use park was developed by LCRA and operated by City of La Grange. From Hwy 71 Business in La Grange, turn south on E. Elbin then turn left on Mode Lane, and the park entrance is on the right. River access is on your left as you paddle downstream (watch for the concrete steps on your left). 

Managed by: City of La Grange