San Antonio brims with lots of history, delicious foods, and many places to explore. It’s no wonder the city gets the most visitors in Texas. When in San Antonio, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the outdoors in its vastness. If you are a kayaker, you’ll be able to explore lazy rivers, white water streams, and countless scenic places to go kayaking and canoeing.
If you love kayaking or canoeing, I’m pretty sure as long as you’ve stayed in San Antonio, you’ve already explored all the amazing scenic places one can go kayaking. Here, we’re helping you explore places to go kayaking near San Antonio. Many people prefer exploring outside the city limits for more silence and in order to find new places and scenes to test their skill levels while enjoying new scenery.
Outside San Antonio, there are luscious green places with clear, calm, and even unpredictable waterways where you can explore your skills and enjoy yourself. If you’re willing to drive for over an hour or less from San Antonio, you’re sure to come across these fantastic waterways to explore.
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Is it hard to go kayaking?
If you admire the sport of kayaking, but you’re afraid of flipping over in the water, or you think it requires a lot of athleticism. Well, we’re here to tell you that you’re wrong. Kayaking is a great sport, and just like cycling, once you start to practice, you’ll soon be a pro.
All you’ll need to learn kayaking successfully is a great instructor. They will teach you how to paddle, enter & exit a kayak, perform various strokes to change the direction of your kayak, and soon be in the water.
Kayaking doesn’t require any athleticism. So don’t expect your strong arms to help you do the work. When kayaking, you’ll use your core and trunk to propel the kayak. So, upper body strength is unnecessary. Using your arms will make you sore.
How much experience do I need to go kayaking
All you’ll need to go kayaking is the basic experience of the sport. I know it may seem too easy or too hard, but it’s not. Just get a few kayak lessons, then you can go off and start with some calm waters. When getting your kayak lessons, you’ll also learn some safety tools that you’ll need in the water if you capsize or otherwise. So, it’s essential to get these basic lessons before heading off to start exploring.
Don’t worry about having much experience before you go kayaking. You’re all set as long as you know a few basic skills, such as entering and exiting the kayak, performing the forward stroke and sweep stroke for turning the boat, and a few safety measures for kayaking. With these few skills, you will be able to go kayaking. Maybe you won’t be able to manage rough waters, but you can do that with more practice. Kayaking lessons are pretty cheap, so don’t stress about that. After you’ve gathered enough courage and the right gears, you’re all set to start kayaking. Of course, it’s safer to start with still waters before you go to the more challenging rapids.
The 7 Best Places To Go Kayaking Near San Antonio
If you’re looking for clear waters to go kayaking, San Antonio is the best place to do that. But if you’re trying to be more adventurous, there are various other spots outside San Antonio that you can drive to and enjoy yourself. Sometimes it can get boring kayaking in the same lake or river. So here, we’re giving you other options for the best places to go kayaking near San Antonio.
1. Medina Lake
Have you ever dreamt of kayaking on pristine waters under gigantic cypress trees? If your answer is ‘yes,’ then you need to visit and Kayak Medina Lake. The Medina Lake stretches for 120 miles, finally joining the San Antonio River.
There are sections of the lake meant to challenge kayakers. Every kayaker would be happy to prove the lake wrong. The lake has rapids falling from class I to III. don’t let those numbers fool you; the lake also has long stretches of calm pools between whitewater locations.
The shallow waters of this lake are ideal for all kayakers. When you go kayaking on Medina Lake, ensure you stay away from the shores when you’re not sure where you are. Most of the land beside the lake is private, and going there will count as trespassing.
2. Blanco River
Visit Hays County to experience this river that stretches for 87 miles. The Blanco River is quite challenging and will need you to be quite experienced or look for a challenge. This river does not offer challenges only. It also offers quiet and solitude for those who go kayaking as a form of mindfulness.
If you’re a newbie and are interested in kayaking, Blanco State Park offers kayaking lessons for all. Kayaking in this river will also give you a quick tour of Wimberly while still paddling. The river has rapids classified as classes II and III. Beginners shouldn’t be scared because the river also has long stretches of calm water. This river is quite an adventurous trip because you’ll also come across Narrows.
3. Comal River
Are you looking for the shortest river to go kayaking near San Antonio? Then Comal River is your answer. This river is 2.5 miles long, all of which runs its entire course inside the city limits of New Braunfels. Paddling will only take you one hour to cover the entire river, but during that time, you’ll get to appreciate the scenic view of the city.
This river is especially perfect for those who don’t have much time for kayaking. If you have an hour to spare, it’s the right river for you. The river has exhilarating drops along with class II rapids.
The Comal River is a famous spot for tubing and floating during the summer. But if you’re looking to experience a class II rapid in this river, the best time for it is during the spring and fall. Let its length not fool you. You will have lots of fun on this river.
4. Frio River
Have you ever dreamt of kayaking on crystal clear waters fed by underground springs? If so, then Frio River is your best bet. This river contains the purest waters in the whole of Texas. The river stretches for 200 miles. You’ll get to see the desert that borders it by paddling there. You’ll come across stretches of cypress forests surrounding limestone bluffs when paddling. These add a bit of magic to your adventure.
If you’re a veteran paddler, you will surely enjoy this river for its surprises. Class I, II, and III rapids add a little excitement to kayaking. For anyone looking for an enriching adventurous kayaking trip, this is one of the best places to kayak near San Antonio.
You can choose to go kayaking or even tubing on this river. Either way, you’ll be awed by its scenic beauty. Paddling down this river will also take a much-needed break from seeing livestock. Here, you’ll spot animals like foxes, deer, bald eagles, and other wildlife along the coastline. You can make a stop at Garner St Park.
5. Canyon Lake
Also known as the “Jewel of Texas Hill Country,” Canyon Lake is an adventurous one for kayakers. This lake is located beside the Guadalupe River. You can paddle its length while admiring the natural beauty around you. Whether a beginner or a veteran kayaker, you will enjoy the environment’s serenity as you kayak the still waters protected by the luscious green coastline.
Due to the vast lake, most visitors stay along the northern end as it is well protected from the elements by the amazing coastline. For all levels of kayakers, this lake is a great place to go if you want to experience swift sailing and nature.
6. Rio Vista Park
Since it’s open all year, this park offers an epic paddling destination for people who love whitewater kayaking and canoeing. The rapids at Rio Vista Park change from class I to IV, giving you a taste of a wild river. The park offers more than just kayaking; you can relax and have something to eat here after tackling the rapids. The kayaking spots are man-made to help different test levels.
If you’re looking for kayak lessons, you can get them at the park all year round. You can even come with your boat if you have one. Enjoy not only the fantastic waters here, but also delicious foods and drinks.
7. San Marcos River
The San Marcos River is the longest spring-fed river. You can escape to this river when looking for somewhere else to kayak near San Antonio, especially away from the Texas heat. Not only will you enjoy kayaking here, but you will also have sparkling crystal clear water throughout your paddling experience.
The river is calm and lazy, hence a great place to practice kayaking as a beginner. This river is famous for kayaking, tubing, and canoeing. Besides how clear the waters are, they also host many endangered species. There is a famous trail called the Zedler Mill Paddling Trail, which is six miles long. This trail is for all ability levels to experience.
Throughout your paddling on the San Marcos River, you’ll enjoy the greenery, the scenery, and some class I rapids. The scenery mainly provided by this river is breathtakingly beautiful. If you have your boat, you can use it on this river. You’ll have to launch your kayak near the Old Zedler Mill. But if you don’t have one, you can rent one.
Final Thoughts
Kayaking is a great port that will take you from rushing streams to crystal clear lakes and rivers. It is also a great way to experience the outdoors and benefit from how therapeutic nature can be. The above kayaking waters are great for different experience levels. You can have your pick of the above rivers; whichever you love and visit it soon to enjoy. You can use them as learning areas if you are new to kayaking or find more difficult ones to navigate if you want to challenge yourself a little bit.
