Guadalupe River State Park
RV Guide

Temperatures in the winter are often quite mild, so you can still enjoy a scenic hike during the off-season. The offseason is an excellent time of year to explore the park area north of the river, which is almost entirely undeveloped except for a historic home and several multi-use trails. If you are looking for a challenge, you should consider trekking out on the nearly two-mile-long Bamberger Trail, which is the hardest hike in the park; it's almost mountain-climbing in some places.

You can spot one of the most prominent limestone bluffs in the park at the end of the Barred Owl Trail. Most people can traverse this easy trail in about ten minutes, so you have lots of time to enjoy the serenity of the overlook. Barred owls, also known as hoot owls, are one of the most common birds in North America that you can spot in the park. If you bring your binoculars in your motorhome, you might also see a myriad of other native wildlife in the park, such as coyotes, bobcats, and armadillos.

The Discovery Center is a mini-museum at the end of the Cedar Sage Trail, featuring lots of hands-on exhibits. It’s also an excellent place to learn about the history of Guadalupe River State Park. Waco, Karankawa, Tonkawa, and other Native Americans lived in this area for several thousand years before the Spanish arrived just before 1700, and the Texas Revolution began at nearby Gonzales on October 2, 1935. Flooding was a severe problem in this area until the Army Corps of Engineers completed the Canyon Dam in 1964. Private individuals deeded the park’s land to the state ten years later. History enthusiasts will love learning more when you park your camper and head into the Discovery Center.

On most weekends, you can take a guided walking tour of the adjacent Honey Creek State Natural Area that leaves from the Rust House. This area is one of the most biologically diverse parts of the Hill Country. The nine different types of soil support a number of different plants. That diversity attracts a variety of different animals, such as jackrabbits and deer. In the creek waters, especially around the creek canyon, many different types of fish and turtles are clearly visible. Keep a sharp eye out for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

At just under three miles, the Painted Bunting Trail is the longest trail in the park that is open to horseback riding. Named for the summer songbirds that often nest in the trees overlooking the trail, the Painted Bunting Trail is a beautiful route to enjoy the thrill of riding on horseback during your RV trip to Texas. It loops through the park interior, so parts of it are quite rugged. For a shorter walk, try the 0.5-mile Oak Savannah Loop Trail, which takes you and your equestrian friend through the restored oak forest.

If you want to go canoeing during your motorhome vacation to Texas, this state park is a great spot! Lots of people take their canoes from the parking area west to the park boundary. The water here is mostly tranquil, though it is a little choppy in some spots. For those looking for a more of an adventure, the area east of the parking area features more challenging rapids. Check with the rangers regarding water levels before you set out.

If you're bringing your bike, you're in for a load of riding opportunities at Guadalupe River State Park. You can coast on many of the park trails, such as the three-mile Painted Bunting Trail. Other shorter trails offer scenic views of the river. The .5-mile Oak Savannah Loop Trail is easy biking through the woods, and the Barred Owl Trail is a 0.8-mile moderate ride that takes you along the cliff overlooking the river. If you like a little adventure, you can get in your exercise while enjoying the beauty of the Hill Country all around you.

Guadalupe River State Park visitors do not need fishing licenses to fish from shore. Plus, you can rent fishing equipment, like tackle boxes and poles. The trout are almost always biting. Even inexperienced anglers can walk away with a three or four-pound fish. Fly fishers often catch 20-inch fish that weigh six or eight pounds! Cold water tumbles into this stretch of the river from the nearby Canyon Creek Dam, creating conditions where trout can thrive year-round. An added bonus? Every November, the river is stocked with over a thousand rainbow trout from the nearby A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery. When angling, be sure you account for the river’s current and use spinnerbait.

The Bald Cypress Trail is an excellent spot for a half-mile nature hike right next to the river. This easy trail is more like an unpaved sidewalk, which is ideal for people with young children or those with mobility impairments. The Bald Cypress Trail is also one of the most accessible trails in the park, as it runs from one parking area to another in a relatively straight line. The Cedar Sage Trail is another easy half-mile route that connects with the Bald Cypress Trail, so many folks hike them back to back. As the name implies, this trail is much more forested than just bald cypress trees. The trail also leads to the Discovery Center, which is a very popular park attraction.

Most people come to Guadalupe River State Park for either swimming, wading, or tubing, and for water lovers, perhaps all three! The area near the parking lot is ideal for wading and swimming. Much of the river is rather shallow, and all of it is quite tranquil. There are also two designated picnic areas near the shoreline. To the west and east, the river moves a little faster, which provides excellent conditions for tubing. Make sure you pack a swimsuit and sunscreen during your RV road trip to the Hill Country.