This is a really lovely place to spend some time outdoors. A beautiful park right by the water, with a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. There's a café along the shore where you can sit, have a drink, and enjoy the view of the waterfall -- such a nice spot to slow down and take everything in. It's a great area for walking and casual strolls, and there's also a playground for kids. Overall, it's a wonderful place to relax, whether you're visiting with children or just coming on your own. Perfect for a walk, some fresh air, and enjoying the water. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. read more

Rio Vista Park - Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Come with your family don't bring a lot of things. It's very unwalkable with bigger items like a rolling chest. Don't bring those bring a shoulder bag version. don't think you're gonna be able to lay out your towel and sit down. It's not a beach. It's very much a river first come first serve. It starts getting dirty later in the day with all the water but that's what we get for moving a lot. There is no camping on the other side of the wall. If you're facing up to the restaurant that would be the right side. Be careful bring your water shoes!!!!! read more

Rio Vista Park - This is early morning at 10 o'clock very spacious not too rowdy at this moment - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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We have been here many times and always have a blast! Of course like any good swimming spot it can get very busy, but we have found if we arrive early it's not too bad. We always have a lovely time and the slide is so fun. Be careful if you are not a strong swimmer! read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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This is a nice park with walking trails/paths and an area where kayakers can ride the river down toward Salado. There are some rapids at the end of the lake that were popular while we were there. Parking is the main issue, as it's hard to find a good spot since there are many spots that have dedicated assignments. We didn't stay too long, but we will be back. read more

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I love this park. Busy or not I always have a blast. Cool water, beautiful trees. The flow is smooth and calm. Easy access to the river. Clear water. There is go fishing. I will be back many times. Please clean up your trash.(: read more

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It's cute... but finding parking can be a b.... Lots of areas to bathe in. The river is cold cold!!! Love it for summer! read more

Rio Vista Park - Rio vista - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

A great park with river for people of all ages. Free parking. I wish I had taken more photos, but I was tired after visiting River Walk in San Antonio. read more

Rio Vista Park - Turtles basking in the sun. - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

We have been going to this park since we were kids. Very happy with the city of San Marcos for making it alcohol free and no go zones appear to be working. The limited parking is great because it cuts down on the amount of people using the facility bathrooms are clean. Water is always clean and cold read more

Rio Vista Park - Cold water. - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

This is a nice park to walk around since it is on the river. Just be aware, there is an extreme lack of parking, hardly anything there in the Park. Bring food for the ducks if you have kids, they're enjoyable (not the kids, the ducks...LOL). read more

Always the spot to stop by at in San Marcos. It's the place to go in summer time if your looking for a place to swim read more

Rio Vista Park - Rapids at the park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

Just an amazing experience, cute date night activity or just with family and friends. Loved purchasing tour guide Leah!! We are absolutely coming again! read more

"Extreme drowning danger" won't stop us from sliding down the rapids. With PFDs and helmets though, of course. Idk these rapids are kinda fun to go down, but I always end up getting my back or legs scratched on the concrete. It's a lot more fun in a canoe. The water is pretty nice here. The rope swing is too low. Pretty cute park overall. read more

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There are several parks strung together along the banks of this river. It wasn't entirely clear to me where one jurisdiction ended and another began, but it was all quite gorgeous, highlighted by extensive paved trails, bridges, and crystal clear water with flowing plant life and apparently some endangered wild rice. It seemed a well-utilized and protected urban river, and was being enjoyed by people and dogs alike. read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Great park. Beautiful scenery, clean bathrooms, dog friendly, etc. and it's FREE! Awesome place read more

Rio Vista Park - River - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Had a awesome time with my dog here but it was crowded though we were able to walk around and get in the water

beautiful spot but the parking was completely full lot and crammed overflow. awesome spot to swim.

If traveling on weekends during the Summer, I recommend going early, no later than 7:30 am to get a good spot by the river front with shade. You can still find an area if you go later but you'll either be far from the river or without a shaded area. Bring canopies but just know canopies aren't allowed by the riverfront. It gets extremely crowded on weekends. Patrols make their rounds ensuring no blockage of river access points so we needed to change our original setup location because of this. River is clean but the mini cascades get very crowded in the late day/afternoon. Best to go down the cascades early morning. Bring gel packs/lots of cool water if you're with toddlers/babies. Seen my fair share of crying kids because the heat and humidity can be intense for them. PLEASE DONT LITTER! Reason this river is gorgeously kept is because of sustained efforts to pick up and leave no trace of plastics, metals, or any materials by the people using them. That said, it's a collective effort so please up the good work. read more

Go early....like pretty much wake up there. It gets super crowded very quickly and parking is a nightmare. People risk broken limbs trying to get into the water due to slime coated rocks but the water is cool. read more

The place is nice for family and friends clean and is a pets friendly you need a water shows because is really slippery read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Great place to spend time with friends and family. And most of all the place is free!!

Love this spot even if it is always crowded. There's lots of areas here to just drop a towel and take a dip in the cool water. I bring my pups here a lot just to walk along side the river and there are always people learning to kayak and tubing. There is a restaurant in a few of the pictures I left, OK food kind of pricey. There is very limited parking to bring tour patience along with some snacks and some sunblock. Rio Vista is a great location in San Marcos to spend the day with friends and/or family. It was a little dirty last time I was there but water was low and it was still off season a bit. Great location! read more

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Beautiful and fun for you and your pets. Very well taken care of. Beautiful scenery and view

Originally an old dam, this has been turned into a whitewater training area surrounded by a beautiful park. It's great for playing in the water, and the surrounding grounds are beautiful with lots of huge trees. A great place to visit when it's warmer. read more

Rio Vista Park - Rio Vista Park in the summer - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

Fun, fun, fun place for kids and family alike. If you're looking for a little outdoor adventure to get wet and wild, then rio vista park is the place to be. You can rent tubes up the road for a reasonable price to float down the river, then end with some rapid slides. Our family enjoyed our time and will be back again. read more

This place is dope don't slam it because you or your kids can't swim wear a life jacket or something because this is an awesome place and a lot if fun. read more

We came to Rio Vista August 13 on a Sunday. First of this place was beautiful, the water is clear and settled In the early morning but it's very natural so don't except it to always be the same. We stayed at the location from 8 am till 5 pm and so as more people arrived in the afternoon the rocks and dirty picked up and does what nature does and went with the currents. The water is cold but it was perfect. I am speaking for myself so it might not be perfect temperature for everyone!! That being said its a public place so expect dogs and people smoking. The dogs are friendly and owners kept an eye out for the most part, I am pro dog aslong as the owners pick up after them and are respectful towards everyone which is exactly what people did. It was amazing the people are too but I do feel as though people should respect the nature of it and not litter it's disgusting seeing trash flowing thru the water but I didn't sit and watch I picked up :) . The place offers tubes and scuba gear for rent or to buy and they also put air in your own personal tubes for very cheap! read more

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This was a great place to spend time with the kids. Free parking is always a plus. Take plenty of food if you are going to be there all day. If you have your own floats for the lions shuttle is 8.00 per person for the entire day. read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

Love going been there since 95 when I went to GJC dorm 12 or 13 foggy memories... but hella better looking now updated and family friendly headed back as soon as it hits bout 95 or more water cold was bout 82 degrees with over cast read more

When the weather is sunny and beautiful, it's like the San Marcos River has this draw over me - pulling me towards Rio Vista Park. The dogs running around, people of all ages hanging out, hot sun and cold river water make the perfect combination for a great day. I especially like Rio Vista because it is so relaxed and there is plenty of space to lay out your stuff and either tan or drop it off and go swim in the water. There are a couple huge rocks in the water that are high enough that you can sit in and low enough that you have the water flowing over your legs - those are my FAVORITE spots to sit and hang. Make sure to try out the rope swing on the tree and don't drop yourself into the water too close to the edge (takes a couple tries but its fun). I know a couple people that have gotten warnings for their dogs not being on leashes when walking around so keep your pup on a leash unless they're owning the water. Uh, and I avoid the rapids like the plague because I had one too many drinks from Eskimo Hut & accidentally went down those things & busted my toe open :X DON'T DO THAT - if you go down, pay attention and it'll be fun!! Gah as I am stuck inside writing this, I am wishing I was at Rio Vista.. BRB! read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Wow, this spot was amazing! Cold, clear water, rapids you can tube down, big trees for shade. The kids had an outstanding time, so did the adults. I went down the rapids with no tube and it was awesome. A must do if in the area read more

I absolutely enjoyed it. There's a place to just float or hang out in the water and they have 3 rapids to go down. There's a restaurant as soon as you get out of the water. read more

I love this spot for river fun. The rapids, or tube shoots, are so much fun... you can go down with or without a tube. I could spend hours and hours here, I prefer it to any other river spot in town. Be careful though, the current is pretty strong so life jackets are necessary for any kid or nervous swimmer. read more

Rio Vista Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Pros: water is clean, clear, relaxed current. Lush scenery. Shaded. Crushed granite accessible trails. Shaded basketball court. Picnic tables. Several clean restrooms along the trail. Lots of Pokémon, poke stops, playgrounds along the trail. Shallow and deep water for swimmers. A low concrete bridge to exit before the falls. Parking. Free. Cheap tube rental nearby. In the city. Easy walk from park to Sewell park lions club tube rental. Dog friendly. Cons: lack of grills, swift current at falls that is dangerous to kids and weak swimmers. Bring a life jacket. Narrow, busted side walks near the river that are inaccessible for wheelchairs. Slippery Steps without handrails. No ramped area. Very crowded on weekends read more

The river float was so fun! I would say recommend but i feel it's a necessity to bring water shoes around here. You will have to likely get off your tube and guide it a little bit, may help to bring a paddle. Super fun and relaxing place to bring some friends and family. read more

Enjoyed the fast flow of spring water near fall but a bit rocky if going barefoot You can really cool off from summer heat though

Such a river staple in San Marcos. Love sitting on the big rocks out in the river by the falls and just a great area overall to come swimming. Good parks/trails in the area are good for running as well. read more

Loved this place! Be prepared to wear water shoes since there are rocky areas. Water is very cold but you get use to it. Fun place to spend time with your family read more

Truly amazing place to visit with your family. We went for on Friday of Spring Break, the place was not so crowed and the weather was wonderful. The water was a bit cold but pleasant. The water fall is worth taking a dive in if you are an expert swimmer. My niece is a great swimmer but she said current is strong and toward the second small fall there are lots of rocks, which you can hit and hurt your self. The big rocks by the shore are very slippery, be careful. Try going early morning so you can get a table or nice spot for your family. read more

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This was a staple when I lived in San Marcos. My dog Zelda and I spent many an afternoon swimming in the spring fed San Marcos River at this spot. My only complaints are the trash (but San Marcos is covered in trash no matter where you go, from my personal experiences) and the creepy guys who stare at you in your swim suits (I started wearing frumpy one pieces because it was so bad...). Other than that, its fun and free. A side note is that cops routinely come through and are very strict about leashes, so keep that in mind. I let Zelda off the leash to swim, but when we were walking around I put her back on it. read more

Needs better parking, but we were able to figure it out. This park was not overcrowded and good for the family. Definitely bring tubes you can go down the rapid with. read more