Aug. 21: Flow Rates Are Good on the San Marcos, but BYOT
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Tubers who are paying higher prices just to park along the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake won’t have any better luck over in San Marcos, where river parks remain closed, along with Blanco Shoals Natural Area.
Other green spaces and natural areas in the San Marcos area are open but visitors are urged to practice social distancing while enjoying trails.
For a full list of San Marcos park closures and open parks, click here.
For tips on other ways to get on the San Marcos River, visit the popular Tubing the San Marcos River Facebook page, which also publishes Tubing the Guadalupe River and Tubing the Comal River.
On Aug. 18, Tubing the San Marcos posted that at 143 cubic feet-per-second (cfs), the San Marcos is just a little under the 166 cfs. Flows are not expected to change over the weekend, making them more than adequate for testing.
Contact Texas State Tubes about put-in and take-out information. The business will let tubers access the river through their property. Tubers must provide their own shuttle.
On July 18, the administrator posted that Don’s and Texas State Tubes are still closed. The page also offers tips about other areas to tube on the San Marcos River.
On July 9, administrators suggested putting in around 18 miles southeast of town: “If you want to hit the San Marcos River, consider driving about 18 miles southeast of San Marcos to Prairie Lea where Son’s Blue River is located.”
Mayor Closes San Marcos River Parks
The mayor of nearby San Marcos closed her city’s river parks on June 25 to keep the community safe from COVID-19.
Mayor Jane Hughson said in a statement posted to SanMarcosTx.gov that San Marco’s COVID-19 case count has skyrocketed over the last week.
“By preventing large gatherings of recreational visitors in nearby parks we are doing our part to ensure our local health organizations don’t exceed capacity in treating seriously ill patients,” she said. “Our (city) council supports staff as they continue efforts to keep our community safe and keep people from becoming sick.”
Lions Club Tube Rental, which had planned to launch an online reservation system on June 20 to protect customers and employees from COVID-19, remains closed.
“By preventing large gatherings of recreational visitors in nearby parks we are doing our part to ensure our local health organizations don’t exceed capacity in treating seriously ill patients.”
Park areas that are closed are marked with signage and chain-link fencing. Violators will be subject of fines up to $1,000 and will face possible arrest on charges of criminal trespass if they refuse to listen to the police.
San Marcos’ dog park, skate park and natural areas will remain open. Hayes County Veterans Memorial will remain accessible but river access will be restricted.
All public restroom facilities and water fountains in city parks and natural areas will remain closed until further noticed.
Closed
- Rio Vista Park
- City Park
- San Marcos Plaza Park
- Juan Veramendi Park
- Bicentennial Park
- Children’s Park
- Crook Park
- Dog Beach
- Cape’s Dam
- Thompson’s Island
- J.J. Stokes Park
- Ramon Lucio Park
- Wildlife Annex/Wilderness Park
Other park facilities that remain closed are Children’s Park Playscape, City Park Playground, tennis courts, all neighborhood park playgrounds and neighborhood park basketball courts. Rio Vista Pool remains closed.
Natural Areas
Natural areas in the city will remain open but with social-distancing requirements of at least six feet between individuals who do not live in the same household. Masks must be worn otherwise. Visitors are prohibited from gathering in groups of more than five people.
Open:
- Prospect Park Natural Area
- Purgatory Creek Natural Area
- Ring Tail Ridge Natural Area
- Schulle Canyon Natural Area
- Sessom Creek Natural Area
- Spring Lake Natural Area
