Where can you kayak camp in Texas? This question surfaces constantly among paddlers drawn to the Lone Star State’s remarkable waterways. Texas offers a surprising diversity of overnight paddling opportunities that extend far beyond what most expect from a state known for its deserts and plains.
Having guided countless expeditions across New England’s lakes and Florida’s mangroves, I initially underestimated what Texas waters could offer. That changed during my first paddle down the spring-fed Devils River, where crystalline waters and towering limestone bluffs created scenery that rivaled anything I’d experienced. The camping possibilities here proved equally impressive, from remote river islands to designated wilderness sites.
Where can you kayak camp in Texas?
Texas provides exceptional kayak camping destinations across diverse ecosystems, from the pristine Devils River in southwest Texas to the cypress swamps of Caddo Lake in the east, and coastal marshes along the Gulf. The state’s rivers offer unique camping opportunities on gravel islands, sandbars, and designated primitive sites, while coastal areas provide both beach camping and specialized floating platforms.
Devils River: Southwest Texas wilderness camping
The Devils River stands as perhaps Texas’s most pristine paddling destination, offering kayak campers a true wilderness experience in crystal-clear spring-fed waters. This remote river system requires a Devils River Access Permit (DRAP) for overnight trips, with designated paddler camps available at specific river mile markers including Mile 12, Mile 15 (San Pedro Point), Mile 20, and Mile 29.
The permit system limits access to 24 permits per day (12 for overnight trips) to protect this fragile ecosystem, with camping fees of $5 per night per person at designated sites. Beyond designated camps, paddlers can legally camp on river islands within the gradient boundary, though this requires careful attention to private property laws and flash flood risks.
Most Devils River expeditions span three to four days, covering approximately 15-47 miles depending on chosen put-in and take-out points. The river features challenging rapids including the famous Dolan Falls, which must be portaged, making this destination suitable for experienced paddlers seeking solitude in one of Texas’s most untouched waterways.
Colorado River: Central Texas island camping
The Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop offers some of Texas’s most accessible kayak camping, with numerous gravel islands and sandbars providing legal camping opportunities without permits. This 20-mile section features calm waters ideal for beginners, with the Lower Colorado River Authority maintaining multiple access points at parks like Little Webberville and near the FM 969 bridge.
Local outfitters like Bastrop River Company provide overnight kayak rentals and can recommend prime camping locations along the river’s many islands. The river’s gravel islands offer natural campsites elevated above the water, though paddlers should camp well above the waterline due to potential water level fluctuations.
This section flows through scenic Hill Country terrain with limestone bluffs and diverse wildlife. Multiple access points allow for flexible trip planning, from short overnight excursions to multi-day journeys extending downstream toward Columbus and the Gulf Coast.
Brazos River: Sandbar camping below Possum Kingdom
The Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Lake provides excellent kayak camping opportunities along expansive sandbars and low-lying banks, particularly on the scenic 19.5-mile stretch from Highway 16 to Dark Valley Bridge. While no public camping facilities exist, the river offers abundant primitive camping sites on sandbars, though paddlers must carry all necessary gear.
This section winds through the Palo Pinto Mountains, featuring rocky cliffs, clear water, and exciting rapids that add adventure without overwhelming novice paddlers. Spring and autumn provide ideal conditions with better water levels and comfortable temperatures, while summer heat can be extreme.
Rochelle’s Canoe Rental, a family operation since 1969, provides shuttle services and local expertise for this popular camping route. The river’s relatively easy access from the Dallas-Fort Worth area makes it a favorite weekend escape for urban paddlers seeking riverside camping under starlit skies.
Sea Rim State Park: Coastal marsh camping
Sea Rim State Park offers Texas’s most unique kayak camping experience through its floating primitive campsite, a 13-by-20-foot wooden platform located 2 miles from the boat ramp in the park’s marshlands. This innovative boat-in campsite accommodates up to four people and requires paddlers to bring specialized waste disposal equipment including a 5-gallon bucket and enzyme waste bags.
The park also provides 75 primitive beach camping sites available first-come, first-served directly on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, offering a completely different camping experience from traditional river sites. Three paddling trails of varying difficulty levels wind through the coastal marshes, providing opportunities to explore diverse wetland ecosystems teeming with waterfowl and marine life.
Sea Rim’s 4,000 acres of marshlands border the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, creating vast protected habitat for alligators, birds, and coastal wildlife. The floating campsite offers unparalleled solitude and direct access to some of Texas’s most pristine coastal waters.
Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake: East Texas swamp exploration
Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou provide a mystical kayak camping experience through ancient cypress forests draped in Spanish moss, with over 50 miles of official paddling trails winding through the largest natural lake in Texas. While primitive camping directly on the water requires careful navigation of private property laws, nearby Caddo Lake State Park offers 46 campsites ranging from water-only to full hookup sites as a basecamp for multi-day paddling adventures.
The Carter’s Chute Paddling Trail provides a 7.6-mile loop through the heart of the cypress swamp, though access requires permits for the Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area. This unique ecosystem supports over 250 bird species and represents one of the world’s most significant cypress forests, offering paddlers glimpses of bald eagles, ospreys, and diverse wetland wildlife.
Multiple outfitters provide rentals and shuttle services for exploring this haunting landscape that feels more like Louisiana bayou country than typical Texas terrain.
Rio Grande: Big Bend wilderness expeditions
Big Bend National Park offers multi-day kayak camping expeditions through spectacular river canyons up to 1,500 feet deep, with options ranging from half-day floats to ten-day wilderness adventures. Popular multi-day routes include the three-day Boquillas Canyon trip and extended Lower Canyons expeditions covering up to 83 miles of remote desert wilderness.
Rio Grande Village Campground serves as a primary launching point, with convenient river access near the Mexico border and stunning views of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains. These expeditions require backcountry permits and careful planning due to the remote nature and international border considerations, but reward experienced paddlers with unmatched solitude and desert canyon scenery.
Multiple outfitters in the Terlingua area provide guided trips and equipment rentals for those preferring professional support in this challenging but spectacular environment.
Conclusion
Last year, I guided a family through their first Texas kayak camping experience on the Colorado River near Bastrop. Watching their amazement as we set up camp on a pristine gravel island, surrounded by Hill Country bluffs and the gentle murmur of flowing water, reminded me why Texas has become one of my favorite paddling destinations. The father later told me that following our detailed location guide had transformed what could have been a stressful navigation challenge into a seamless adventure that created lifelong memories. For kayak campers willing to explore beyond the obvious, Texas delivers wilderness experiences that rival any destination in the country.
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