PADRE PARK – kayak or paddle board the SAN ANTONIO RIVER along the riverwalk trail

Thought there was nowhere good to paddle inside the 410 loop? Think again. Padre Park is just 5 miles south of the Alamo, and one of the few places to paddle along the San Antonio river that I actually recommend.

Paddle boarding and Kayaking on the San Antonio River at Padre park

I love the fun kayak shoot at the dam, and people also like to fish on the down-river side. It’s easy to put in, has calm & level water, and a fun park for kids to play at.

But there are a few drawbacks. Let me explain:

Waterfront and Beach: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This one almost doesn’t apply to Padre Park – It does have nice concrete curb to put in above the dam and kayak shoot. But its not a “waterfront” in the traditional sense, and it’s not a “beach.” What it does have is a wonderful access to the miles and miles long San Antonio Riverwalk. Not the tourist trap “Riverwalk” but the real river walk that you can ride your bike along with the family.

Clean, Calm Water: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It’s calm, smooth water, great for beginners and kids, and great for paddling. It’s pretty natural river, so I do keep my eye open for the occasional boulder or log that may be shallow below the surface. But It’s not the kind of river property you love to swim in. Mostly because the bottom is super uneven with boulders sporadically that make me nervous as a swimmer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not filled with flesh-eating bacteria or algae plums, but it’s a park and river stretch designed for paddling, not for swimming access. And I’m sure with it being as slow moving as it is, that it does have it’s days where there are a lot of leaves or pollen chilling along the side.

Parking: 3 stars out of 5

Here’s my dilemma – I’m lazy, but I like to paddle. I want the parking to be as close to the river as possible.

At Padre Park, the easy, spacious parking lot is right by the playground, but a solid 150-foot walk down the hill to the waterfront. You’re going to carry whatever you paddle for a bit. If the parking were closer, it might get a 4.5 star rating. Only places like Louise-Hays park in Kerrville get 5’s. Covered, waterfront parking… incredible!

I unload in the parking lot then hoofed my paddle board to the top of the small dam & water shoot to put in. I bet on a major holiday week that you’ll need to stop near the playground to unload, then go park farther away.

Padre Park riverfront by the San Antonio Riverwalk south of the Alamo

Picnic and day-use area: 3.5 out of 5

It’s a solid park – play area, covered pavilion, grass, charcoal pit, grassy hill. Probably some ants around, so not a bare-foot ‘grassy knoll’. It’s not a huge play and picnic area though,

Overall – 3.5 out of 5

Decent all-around place, one of the better places near downtown to paddle board as well as kayak, and right by Mission San Jose if you want to add some variety to your trip.

The stretch of river isn’t much longer than a mile before the next dam and spillway, so it’s not an all-afternoon paddle trail.

If you’re coming from Stone Oak, The Woodlands in Houston, or Dallas, then you’ll probably not think highly of the surrounding neighborhoods. But my recommendation is relax and enjoy – you came for Padre Park, the San Antonio River and Riverwalk.

March 24, 2021

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Seguin Paddle Trail at Starke Park

Seguin Paddle Trail at Max Starkey Park Review-01

Max Starke Park and the Sequin paddle trail could be the best place to paddle between San Antonio and Houston.

Special thanks to local SUP hero, long board legend, and guest writer Rusty.

NOTE: These pictures were taken on New Years Day! Imagine how nice this place is in the summer =)

The quality of the water: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The entry point is approximately 30 yards prior to a small dam that diverted water to the old Seguin power plant – now its a restaurant. This keeps the water nice and calm for a gentle entry. The paddle distance is approximately 4-5 miles up river where Hwy 46 crosses the river. The view along the river consists of much of Starkey Park, to include the golf course. Otherwise, private homes line the river. Keep an eye out for the boat wrapped around the tree from a prior flood. There is one bend in the river where the water often collects a layer of slime but it is very small compared to the overall length of the paddle.

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The surrounding waterfront: 5 out of 5 stars.

The entry point into the river includes a concrete wall with gentle stairs to descend from the parking lot. The concrete wall also has ladders to provide for easy exit. On any given weekend you will find families swimming in this spot which can produce a bit of a crowd. If you go early it’s a ghost-town.

The parking & accessibility to the waterfront: 5 out of 5 stars.

As Starkey Park includes a golf course, the parking lot is directly adjacent to the river. There’s also parking along the road that follows the river. No parking restrictions are applied to park visitors.

Unlike Fiesta Texas, parking here is close, plentiful, spacious and free year-round.

The picnic & day use area: 5 out of 5 stars.

Along the river from the entry point and adjacent to the parking areas are a large number of picnic tables. Many locals come down to the park just to hang out or have a picnic and are generally friendly and curious about paddle boarding. Again, if you get there early you will not only have the river to yourself but also the ability to grab the picnic tables closest to the river entry point.

March 1, 2019October 12, 2020

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Why Kerrville might have better paddling than Austin

Here’s the list of the 5 best places to paddle board or kayak only 30 minutes from Boerne, Medina or Bandera.

At the risk of offending everyone in Austin – Kerrville has equal, if not more potential for river fun than anywhere within an hour drive of Lady Bird Lake.

If you like to swim, fish, picnic, cookout or play on the shore all in addition to paddling on calm, wide, protected river runs, then read on.

Kerrville has 4 places you need to know about plus 2 back-ups in case you can’t stay still. One of which is a hands-down, no brainer Top 10 in Texas list maker.

Louise Hays Park, in downtown Kerrville

Lousie Hays Park review Kerrville small-02

This should be the first place you paddle in Kerrville. I wish this could be the first place I take anyone from out of state to experience Texas.

Bonus – There is on-site kayak and sup rentals. In addition to the details below, one of the many perks about this place is even if you just show up on a spring or summer day, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards right at the park. Kerrville Kayak & Canoe (or KK&C) is the one outfitter who’s got permission from the city to operate at the park and brings a trailer of gear from their shop and sets up under the Sidney Baker Bridge. No excuse to not get on the water!

So here’s why the great rating:

Waterfront and Beach: 5 out of 5 stars.

The waterfront has gradual wade-in places as well as grassy, curbed edges so you can set your chair partway in the water or on the grass under the beautiful, large cypress trees that line the banks.

Can you drive up to put in a paddle board or kayak right by the water’s edge? Yes!

The public can drive right up to the water front under the Sidney Baker bridge and unload anything you want. Bring everything and the kitchen sink right to the water’s edge, but you’ll need to park back up in the normal parking lot when you’re done.

It’s easy to put in a SUP almost anywhere for a quarter mile stretch north along the river’s edge in the park. Couldn’t ask for it any easier.

Clean Calm Water? 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The river’s dam is a few hundred feet from the Sidney Baker bridge, and keeps the water level, deep, calm and enjoyable for kids to swim and play all along the park. You won’t see crystal clear to the bottom, so we’ll reserve the 5 out of 5 for that rare occation. However they city takes excellent care of the park and river’s cleanliness so it’s a great place to ‘accidently’ knock your friend off their SUP if they look like they’re breaking a sweat. PS you’re in Texas, you’ll break a sweat.

Parking: 5 stars out of 5

You can unload at the river’s edge, or park at one of the three lots inside the park: One by the large pavilion on the north edge of the park, one in the middle, and one on the south by the walking trail. Or on crazy busy holiday weekends there is overflow parking in the shopping center across the street on the south west side.

Picnic and day-use area: 5 out of 5.

This park has it all. And it’s so large it can accommodate the entire town and surrounding area for the 4^th of July and still not feel over crowded.

It has a splash pad for kids and toys to play on, walking trails, bbq pits and tables, a dog park, volley ball courts reservable pavilions, miles of paved walking trails… and more.

This place is a gem, and everyone within an hour drive can try to spoil it by coming at once yet it can still handle the crowd.

If you have a bad time here it’s either you’re fault or the weather’s. It’s not the City of Kerrville who basically solidified that their city center will be enjoyable for decades to come.

So high-five, Kerrville! Awesome park.

Oh… there’s 4 other places you need to know about.

Kerrville-Schreiner Park 5/5. Total gem. “Flatrock Lake” by the locals
Nimitz Lake (only called that on Google maps) / Town Lake
Flatrock Park – the old dog park. There’s nothing there but free to get into.
Ingram Lake

Ready to paddle? Check out my GEAR REVIEWS

Side-by-Side reviews of Electric SUP pump and my recommendation

Some electric pumps I recommend are these:

I always use this better one for around $95.
But if price is an issue, a “good enough” one is under $60. I have one of these too, but it’s not my first choice. It takes longer to inflate.
And if you don’t want an electric pump, but want to upgrade, I recommend these giant hand pumps.