Colorado River in Texas

Trip Overview

Any spots along the Colorado from Webberville Park to Columbus are quiet, relaxing paddles. There are several islands and sandbars that are available for overnight camping. You can easily make it from one town to the next on a weekend trip. We have done two day trips from Webberville to Bastrop (29 miles), Bastrop to Smithville (25.5 miles), Smithville to La Grange (32 miles), and La Grange to Columbus. For younger paddlers, a trip from the 969 bridge to a good island is about 6 miles, plus another 7 into Bastrop.

If you check LCRA.org, you can find water flow rates for the river. A rule of thumb is 1500 cubic feet/second (cfs) equals about 2 mph. I typically use the La Grange station as a reference point. At 4000 cfs, you can float about 2.5 to 3 mph. Light paddling gets you to 4+ mph.

Check out terraserverusa.com to view topographic maps and aerial photos of the trip you choose.

Overall, any of these sections provide peace and quiet. Rarely do we see any other paddlers. Aside from the occasional snake, scarlet ibis, herons, cranes, and eagles are often seen as well.

Comments:

Except for a winter trip, we always come across a few snakes. Be careful.

Accommodations:

Primitive camping.

Outfitting:

Canoes and kayaks.

Fees:

No, just be respectful of the land.