Beautiful park, especially for a smaller town like New Braunfels. Perfect for a walk with the dogs,…read moreplenty of history markers if you're into that, too. There was also a nice trail, I think called panther canyon trail, where we took our dogs. It's about a 2 mile hike that isn't too difficult, though with some elevation if you choose to go that way. Definitely recommend planning a visit here!

We came here on a Monday afternoon to go walking. It was warm but glad there's trees to shade us…read more Took lots of pictures. Will come back another day.

Beautiful park and splash pad! Didn't get any pictures but the picnic tables do cost for…read moreNON-residents. $25, not sure per table or per hour. There are codes to scan on the tables.

Fischer Park is a neighborhood favorite that embraces the natural landscape and critters. The…read morewalking trail winds through trees, around the lakes, and flowers too! This is not an athetics park which is wonderful! There is a splash pad at the top of the hill with swings and a jungle gym.

Great access point to the river, quite a few honey holes within a half mile either direction. I…read morethink it's great that the owner allows access for a very reasonable fee. For $10/angler you can have one heck of a day!

These guys are fly rods only, which I understand and respect. Just don't want anyone to book a trip…read moreexpecting them to compromise and let you bring a spinning reel for a child or disabled person because they will not. They were nice on the phone but let me know they wouldn't let my special needs friend use spin cast if we booked a trip with them. Again, it's their choice just don't want anyone to book and be surprised.

We love Dons! It's a great place to camp, fish or hangout for the day. The owners are super nice…read moreand always helpful.

What an awesome place for a float!! We had a great time and the service was fantastic. Thank you…read moreCody, Nicole, Cheyenne, Valance and Pete-we'll be back for another float. Thank you for your hospitality! -Louise, aka big Lou :)

Overlook Park and Dam at Canyon Lake (about 50-60ish miles from both Austin and San Antonio) is the…read morepublic park I visit most often since joining the CL community in June 2020. At least a couple of times per month, we make our weekend run over the dam from North Park and bask in the seasonal beauty of the big blue lake, the variety of plants on the slopes and forest, and the joy of other visitors taking it all in. Who knows how long it will last in these troubled times for public works, but today, the park remains free to enter from dawn to dusk. The enforcement of parking and capacity limits is by Comal County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), while the authority for the water and 1964-built dam falls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Game Wardens, and the Guadalupe - Blanco River Authority (GBRA). Finally, the Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) helps with safety signage and waste management around the park by providing free litter bags to make it as easy as possible for visitors to pack out their trash. The park technically doesn't promote swim access, and there is no lifeguard or buoy barrier system for protected swim zones, but you will see many swimmers and floaters in the cold water around the rocky shore during warm weather. The closer to the dam you are, the more likely you'll see fish swimming in the clear water, so bring your snorkel and enjoy. Keep in mind, depth drops off steeply down to 120 feet, so if you're not a strong swimmer, a life vest or other safety provisions may be in order. Certainly, keep an eye on your kids at all times. If you want a coveted spot for the day at the shoreline, you're going to need to plan ahead. Pack up your provisions, chairs, shade tent, what-have-you and get to the park as soon as possible after dawn to secure a parking spot. You'll need your goat feet and maybe an all-terrain wagon to get down the rocky trails to your place at the water. The shore is entirely limestone, so you typically won't be able to use stakes for a pop-up; plan to weigh down with something else, as Canyon Lake gets VERY windy. Restrooms are at the far southeast end of the park, near the Gorge overlook. You'll also find porto-johns near the dam gate and disabled parking spots. If you're still there by sunset, you'll hear the sheriff's deputy over a PA system asking you to leave. There is no camping or overnight parking allowed. Note that this park is also home to USACE headquarters for Canyon Lake. Their visitor center is open Mon-Fri, 8a-4:30p except for federal holidays. A few times per year, special events may open up an opportunity to drive across the dam's paved path (a.k.a. the Verada Real). These spots are secured through a charitable donation to the DAM Community Alliance (damcommunityalliance.com) and tend to sell out fast. Otherwise, only pedestrians, strollers, and bicycles are allowed on the paved path. Dogs should be on leash and poop should be picked up, please, for the love of all that is holy. More to come....

We have lived next to Overlook Park and Canyon Dam for 10 years and it has gone to hell in a…read morehandbasket in the last two or three years. It's like the county government, in coordination with the Army Corp. of Engineers has decided that they just don't want people here. First it was erecting "no parking signs" on the road and handing out tickets by the sheriffs department. Then they installed tire flattener spikes at the exit and gate barriers so that access was restricted. They had the sheriffs department come in every night to throw people out at sunset. We used to call that person the "Dam Nazi" (Canyon Dam). Now they close the place early even before hours are over and sometimes they don't open it at all. And worst of all they've started lining tow trucks up to tow people's cars at sunset without warning. It's ridiculous. It's like they are practicing for totalitarianism. It's like the government has decided that they hate people. My daughter and son-in-law walked the over-the-dam walkway with our 3-year-old granddaughter; when they came back to leave, his pick-up truck was in the air - the tow truck driver said he would take $150 to lower it again so they could drive home. People are literally starting to move out of Comal County. It has become downright evil and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority seems to be getting rich by selling all of Canyon Lake's water downstream. This is the rural version of Los Angeles, Seattle or Denver. It's getting nasty.

Little Ponderosa River Outfitters was the company our group chose to get us right to float the…read moreGuadalupe River. This was my first time floating so there were alot of unknowns. Their website was helpful with some of the questions I had and all other questions were answered when I got there. Our group was around 16 deep and we were the first customers of the day. The staff here was very patient with us and got us situated smoothly. There's a fair amount of parking out front and they are really good about maximizing the space. They do have bathrooms available as well as a place to rinse off if you would like. They do have items to purchase for your tubing needs like rope, bungee, etc. One thing we assumed we had on our tubes were ropes, but that they did not so we struggled a little bit trying to stay together as a group. A little upselling would have been appreciated in this instance. Once you are all paid up and ready to go, they bring around one of their shuttles that pulls a trailer for your tubes. We packed tight into that little bus and off we went. Before heading out, they gave us a run down on how things operate and rules to abide by. We were given specific instructions on what to expect and landmarks to remember when it was time to get off the river to where we parked. There are different float options depending on what you're looking for as far as how chill or how much time time you want to spend on the river. We chose a float that was estimated to be 4 hours with a little bit of chill and thrill. It really all depends on the flow of the river. This review is based on the company that facilitates your float trips and not so much a review of the actual experience. This company did a great job and I would use them again if I ever decide to float the Guadalupe again.

Came here with a large group on July 4th for a float day. Just before the chaos and tragedy of the…read moreGuadalupe River overflow. When we arrived we parked in their gravel parking lot. Their entry point process was pretty straightforward. You sign a disclaimer and pay for either the rental of the tube $25+ or pay for using your own tube from home for $25+. I think we did the 4 hour float option. If you rent you do get the option of picking a tube that has a bottom to it, which can be used for coolers, or to prevent your back from scraping on the rocks. They give you a free fishnet bag for trash that you can rope tie to your tube, or put inside your cooler. There is a mini store where you can purchase items you forgot or didn't think to bring. They have a "no glass, cans only" policy, which I think is pretty standard. When we were finally ready. You hop on their school bus with a hitch out back with the tubes piled high and get some rules to live by. Including that if you hear sirens to get out of the river immediately it means there is a surge coming. Also there is a damn drop off, and a bridge you aren't suppose to go past before getting out. Honestly, while I appreciate the safety session, I wish I had been able to read and study the rules beforehand, so I felt more confident in remembering all of them before embarking? If all the rules they say on the bus are posted on their website, it was my fault for not reviewing them before arrival. We got out at our dropoff point where you make your way down some steps with your tube in hand and get started in the river. If you bring coolers be sure to get a bottom tube and bring some rope to strap yourself to it. The water was chilly. The journey started out pretty ok. But then we go to what they call the "damn" or really a drop off point, like a 2 foot straight drop. It got kinda hairy since you have to get out of your tube and step on slick rocks with tube in hand and make your way further down the river where the current picks up even more, step down from the drop off with the current flowing. I suppose if you are use to it, it doesn't seem that challenging, but if you aren't and are with a big group, with multi coolers it's a little challenging to figure out. Make sure to bring rope for the coolers and tubes if you can. Some parts have a strong current other parts are less. Then you travel down for a while sometimes getting caught by trees, debris, the sides of the marsh, or rocks. Eventually, you get into the neighborhood area where folks are parked outside their houses or tents, playing music, watching the floaters go by. Our group got separated since we weren't all tied together. At the time, the weather was pretty dreary and it rained on and off the entire time. So it made for a cold experience. Don't forget to wear your water shoes for the rocks. If the sun had come out, it likely would have been better. I think I will find a more gentle and relaxing float experience for next time.

Ryan at Rhino Outdoor Adventures is a professional, caring and honest outfitter, guide and hunter!!read more

From the owner: Professional Outfitter and Guide Services! Hunting and Fishing is our game, let us find yours!!read more

Ryan was fantastic and made our time on the river memorable. He is very communicative and easy to…read morework with on scheduling and accomodations. His skill and knowledge is outstanding.

Myself and a friend had a great time fishing and slowly rafting down the trout section of the…read moreGuadalupe River with Ryan. Sometimes fishing guides can be a bit intense and drill sergeant like, not Ryan. Ryan was knowledgeable, patient, and relaxed. I highly recommend this guide service and would fish with them again.

Whenever we're in the Gruene area (which is a lot) and we want to to float, we always use Rockin'…read moreR. This is their main location. They have several in the regional area but my review is for the Gruene location. The staff are really fun and helpful (you know like when you're getting out and fall on your rear and they help you out of the water). Rental rates are fair and the tubes are clean.

I will start by saying, I don't entirely blame the business for what happened during our float, and…read morethey did try to remedy it by giving us free passes to come back - or to use another location. The main takeaways for my post if you don't want to read (TLDR): 1. This location should NOT be advertised as a float - it is seriously very dangerous when the water is low, we all popped our tubes and had small injuries from the rocks - I am glad with my injuries being small - it could have been SOOO much worse 2. Aggressive turtles and water snakes everywhere 3. The entire float route is surrounded by private property so there is literally no way to exit unless you go to the end .. The day started out great - the Gruene location was nice, we did not pay for parking as others have mentioned (not sure why we didn't). The main complaint about the actual location where you sign in and get your tubes are the rest rooms. They were not clean and the water did not work. Also, the entire place was run by children which was very weird to me. There was no one over the age of 20 working the day (Sunday) we went. A kid that looked to be literally 13 was the one to help us into the river and didn't say a word to us- just looked at us and put the tubes in the water (which I understand - I was shy at that age as well). My main concern and the reason why I am posting is that this route (in my opinion) should NOT be used by this company as an advertised float. It was genuinely super dangerous. I have floated multiple times throughout Texas and have not encountered rocks and rapids like this. We got stuck multiple times on the rocks and it took us 3 hours to just get half way to the first exit. After the second set of rocks we were DONE. Our tubes had all popped and several of us had injuries (nothing super serious - bruises and cuts from the rocks - one girl hurt her back pretty badly and had spasms) . We called the company and asked for someone to pick us up (to which another child answered the phone). They offered to bring us new tubes - which they did. The kid that brought us the tubes told us we were two hours from the exit (which apparently was not correct). Because they wouldn't come pick us up and told me we had to tube down to the end where the exit is - we decided the best option was to call the non-emergency number for the Sheriff. She told us to call 911 to get more precise coordinates for our location - which we then did. An ambulance came and the EMT's found us and were able to escort us out of the back of people's homes (we did not want to trespass on these people's properties - also there were giant staircases we were unsure if the one girl with the back injury could even make it up). Everyone was fine, the EMT's dropped us off at the entrance to Rockin R - which we were then greeted by the location's owners. They told us it had been a misunderstanding and they didn't realize someone was injured - which I literally told them over the phone twice. After the confusion subsided, they did give us free passes to come back - which I won't be using. I understand these things happen and we did sign waivers - but the company should not be using this route. Someone will get seriously injured on these rocks one of these days. I guarantee it..

Took a short hike on my lunch break after eating in my car. I hiked about a mile down an elevated…read moretrail, which ended at another park. Also took a short walk down to the river on a trail that was fairly steep. The main trail is paved and easily handicapped accessible. There are placards on the trail, displaying wildlife, early inhabitants, etc. it was pretty interesting . The park also has an old farmhouse and area around the house with display set up and placards describing each item, nice trip through history.

Nice little green space tucked away across from a subdivision near I35. There are two parks side by…read moreside with a playground, splash pad, pavilions, and clean bathrooms. The trail map shows two very short trails (.04 and .05 miles), but we managed to get in 4 miles by veering off the dirt trail onto unmarked trails. The main paved trail is shaded about 50% of the way and the dirt/rock trail is not shaded at all (unless you veer off into the woods like we did). There's a small creek that runs along the dirt trail so we saw lots of people fishing. (The water is gross so it's not suitable for swimming.) Lots of parking and some historical buildings to see. Overall a great find--we'll be back.