Activities:
Canoe, Kayak and Tube Rentals
If you would like to rent a canoe or kayak contact TG Canoe Livery at 512-353-3946.
Tubes are available from the San Marcos Lion's Club at City Park 512-396-5466.
Sunday Worship Service
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. Acts 16:13
During the camping season, on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM, we have a short, informal, Christian worship service in our campground. Everyone is invited to join us for a time of prayer, music, and bible study.
Other River Activities:
The Spring San Marcos River Cleanup is held the first Saturday in March and is sponsored by the San Marcos River Foundation. The river is divided into 9 sections, from San Marcos City Park to the city of Gonzales, including all 90 miles of the river. Won't you join us to help keep our river beautiful? Call Tom Goynes at 512-392-6171 or email Tom at goynes@centurytel.net to learn how to sign up your group for the upcoming year.
Fall River Cleanup - held in October and sponsored by the City of San Marcos. Cleanup is from City Park to Thompson's Island, the first 2 miles of the river. Call TG Canoe & Kayak for info. 512-353-3946.
Kayak Lessons are available at the Powers Outdoor Olympic Center from Ben and Michelle Kvanli. As well as individual kayak lessons, POOC also offer's Boy Scout and Girl Scout Canoe and Kayak Instruction, Scout Whitewater Kayak Badge and Summer Kids Camps. POOC can also schedule a class to fit your needs. Come Play at Rio Vista Park!! Community Paddles every Thursday at 6:30pm!!
Aquarena Center offers lots of opportunities to enjoy the San Marcos River, from Bird Watching on the board walk, Glass Bottom Boat Rides, Girl Scout patch days, Boy Scout badge days, Educational Tours for all age groups, to Scuba Diving opportunities.
Learn more about the San Marcos River and the Threatened and Endangered Species of the Edward's Aquafer from the San Marcos River Foundation
Texas rivers have always flowed through the land and lives of the people who depended on them for food, agriculture, recreation and transportation. But now, most of our rivers have been dammed, diverted, polluted, channelized or fenced in. The Texas Rivers Protection Association was founded in 1980 to promote the safe and wise use of Texas rivers. Won't you join us?
Canoe & Kayak Racing on the San Marcos River
Springs Fest - First weekend in April. Slalom, Rodeo and Kayak Polo competitions, classes, as well as boat demos.
Zedler
Mill Classic - A six mile race held in April from the Hwy.
90 Bridge to the Zedler Mill Park on Hwy. 80 in Luling. The first three
miles is a fast narrow course with numerous sweepers and obstacles and
the final three miles is relatively benign due to backwater from the Zedler
Dam. The Solo Unlimited Championships will run 19.5 miles from Fentress
Hwy. 20 to Zedler Mill. Entry Fees include a commemorative T-Shirt and
a Catfish Plate Lunch.
Texas Water Safari - Billed as the World's Toughest Canoe Race the Texas Water Safari is a 260 mile non-stop, unlimited, marathon race from San Marcos to the coastal town of Seadrift, held the second weekend in June. Participants must carry all provisions they will need and can only pick up water and ice from their team captain.
AQUA
TERRA SPRINT ADVENTURE RACE - Saturday, August 4, 2007
New for 2007, the Aqua Terra Sprint is open to solo and tandem teams in
either kayaks or canoes. Keeping in the Aqua Terra tradition, racers will
paddle, splash and trek their way to the finish line. The course will
offer challenges unique to the San Marcos River including class I &
II rapids, a trip through the new Rio Vista Water Park and an exhilarating
portage over a 20 foot dam.
Jr. Texas Water Safari - a 16 mile canoe and kayak race from San Marcos to Staples. The third weekend in September.
Martindale Triathlon - 7 mile Run, 16.5 mile Bike, 5.5 mile Paddle - The Martindale Triathlon differs from the traditional triathlon in that canoeing/kayaking substitutes for the swim. Solo and Tandem divisions. Last Saturday in October.
San Marcos Sladeo- A kayak rodeo and slalom race the first Saturday
in November at Rio Vista Falls Park. Contact the Powers Outdoor Olympic
Center at 512 203 0093 for more information.
San Marcos Solo Race - ICF K1, USCA C1, Unlimited and Recreational classes. 16 mile race from San Marcos to Staples. Held the 1st Saturday in December.
Unique Activities In & Around San Marcos
Hiking San Marcos: The
San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance has created interconnected parks
and natural areas you can hike on your own or take a guided walk for select
groups through prior arrangement. The service is free though they would
happily take any contributions an organization or individual might offer.
The SMGA will assist Boy Scouts and other similar organizations with projects
or programs that educate young people about natural areas or the creation
and maintenance of natural surface trails. email: alliance@smgreenbelt.org
or call 512-754-9321 if you have questions.
A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery - This state-of-the-art facility specializes in rearing fingerling sportfish for stocking into more than 300 Texas reservoirs. The staff welcomes the public to come and visit this educational and informative facility. General hatchery tours are offered to walk-ins at 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday. Large groups (10 or more) are asked to call to set up a tour time. 507 Staples Rd (FM 621) 512-353-0572
Commemorative Air Force Centex Wing - The World War II artifacts museum is located in a huge wooden World War II hangar and contains weapons, captured documents, uniforms, photos, radios, cameras and aircraft equipment. A twelve foot long model of the air craft carrier Hornet is also on display. Aircraft on display include a Bell P39 Airacobra, a Japanese, Kate Torpedo Bomber and a Zero (replicas built for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora), L-4 and L-8 Liaison aircraft, an American T-34 Mentor trainer, a PT-17 Stearman WW II trainer, a Chinese Yak-18 trainer and a Lockheed T-33 jet trainer. Several Allison 1710, V-12 aircraft engines are also on display. Located at the San Marcos Airport on Hwy 21.
LBJ Museum - 131 N. Guadalupe St. - West side of the court house square in downtown San Marcos. For group tours or class visits, please call 353-3300. They will be happy to try and accommodate your special needs even if they are closed on that day.
Calaboose Museum of African-American History - Tucked inside the
original 1873 Hays County Jail. The museum offers a look at the roles
African Americans have filled in law, medicine, science and exploration.
Tours by appointment. Located at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive
and Fredericksburg Street. Call 512-353-0124 for more information. Linda
Kelsey-Jones, Event Coordinator Phone: 512-754-7946 Email: LKJ@centurytel.net
Millie Seaton Collection of Dolls & Toys features more than
5,000 dolls from all over the world, showcased in a grand historic three-story
home. Tours for groups by appointment only. Located at 1104 W. Hopkins
Street. Call 512-392-1113 for more information.
Children's Park - a wooden playground for young ones on the river just above Rio Vista Falls. Take Hwy. 80 into town, just past the river, turn left onto C.M. Allen Pkwy. (at the light at Mr. Gatti's). The playground is located on the left side after the railroad tracks. A great place to take the kids. Afterwards you can take a dip in cool, clear waters of the river.
Summer in the Park Concert Series - Every Thursday Evening June 7-August 9, 2007 from 7:30-9:00 PM. at the San Marcos Plaza Stage and the Veramendi Plaza Gazebo. These parks are located at the corner of CM Allen Parkway and Hopkins Street (Hwy 80). Bring a lawn chair. Concessions support the Greater San Marcos Youth Services Bureau.
Corral Theater - See the stars under the stars at Wimberley's unique outdoor walk-in theatre! First-run movies start at Dark Thirty. Bring a lawn chair any Friday, Saturday or Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Sky Dive San Marcos, located in Fentress. If the river's too tame, try this.
A Few of Tom and Paula's, Locally Owned, Favorite Places To Eat
Herbert's Taco Hut - 419 Riverside Dr. If you're looking for where the locals go to get the best Mexican food in town...Herbert's is the place.
Best Burger - Gil's
Broiler - 328 N. LBJ, just off the square
Best Breakfast - Cafe on the Square - breakfast all day long. On the Square 126 N. LBJ 512-396-9999
Best All-around restaurant - Grin's Restaurant - best onion rings in town. Located at 802 N L B J Dr., behind the University.
Most Unique restaurant in town - Rivendell Restaurant - open for lunch Mon - Sat.11am-4pm, great homemade sandwiches, baked potatoes, soups and salads. 817 Chestnut St., across from Grin's. 512-392-8733.