Colorado River in Texas

Trip Overview

This paddle from Little Webberville Park to the Travis County Park (known informally as Big Webberville) five miles downstream is a great basic training paddle for beginners. Little Webberville is located a block from FM 969 and is a small uncontrolled community park. It has a boat ramp and is an authorized put in location on the Colorado River Trail. The road distance from the county park to the community park is about three miles. The paddling distance is about five.

Because the Colorado is used to transport water purchased from the Lower Colorado River Authority by farmers downstream the best flow is usually during the summer. With a flow of 1,000 cfs there are no rated rapids though there are alternating segments of faster flow and nearly lake-like flat-water sections. You can choose to drift downstream at 2 mph or you can paddle hard and cut your trip time. The county park has hours which vary with the season so you must allow yourself enough time to get there before closing or you risk having your car towed. I often do this using a bicycle I have equipped with a paddle rack to do the short shuttle back to the boat.

Accommodations:

Community park has one porta potty, boat ramp, picnic tables and charcoal grills. County park has several porta potties (permanent restrooms appear to be under repair), boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic tables and pavilions (reservations required)

Directions:

Take FM 969 (MLK extended) east to Webberville. The community park is indicated by a small brown and white sign pointing to the "river park." Continue on 969 East another three miles and you will encounter the well marked entrance to the County Park.

Resources:

Lower Colorado River Authority publishes a guide to the Colorado River Trail ($5.00) which describes facilities and directions along the entire river from Austin to the Gulf. This little book is very handy.