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1124 FM 969, Bastrop, TX 78602 ph:512-581-1015 Bettie Buchanan - Owner
Colorado River RV Park
| The Colorado River |
The Colorado is a long, wide, slow-moving river with few whitewater hazards and plenty of scenery to capture
your eye. The section between FM 969 south of Webberville and SH 71 at Smithville is about 38 miles of
flatwater paddling. Flowing northwest to southeast, the Colorado River is characterized by occasionally strong
southeasterly headwinds that will slow you down and which may make your trip a little less enjoyable. There
are numerous access points for putting in and taking out, but some stretches can be many miles between
them, so careful trip planning is essential.
This reach of the river is home to the Alamo City Rivermen's annual overnight Freeze Trip, a mid-winter event
that features more than 100 paddlers in 60-70 boats, great food, hot grog (a specialty of Gib Hafernick) and a
whole lot of fun. This run is entirely within Bastrop County with almost identical characteristics as the reach
above except for Lost Pines, an isolated area of pine trees once connected to the Piney Woods of Deep East
Texas that seems out of place among the elms, willows and sycamores of Bastrop County. Along this reach
the flood plain becomes deeper revealing very scenic sandstone cliffs and bluffs. Fishing is great, and many
animals can often be seen along the river. Bald eagles may be seen in winter months. Weather and flow
conditions will be very similar to other parts of the Colorado River below Austin, where a wide stream and
slow surrent will usually be found.
The entire length of the Colorado River flows through land steeped in Texas history. Many battlefields of the
War for Independence from Mexico lie along this route. Names of people and places that are legendary in
Texas history will be seen everywhere. The only major drawback is the lack of commercial liveries and shuttle
services - you will need to bring your own boats and gear and arrange your own shuttles. Depending upon the
length of the trip you want to take setting up a shuttle for the last day can take up a good part of the first day -
plan accordingly and allow adequate time for staging shuttle vehicles at the take-out.
Most of the hazards on the Colorado River are not rapids, waterfalls, rock ledges, outcroppings or obstacles
to paddling. The river is, for all intents and purposes, free of such hazards. However, Mother Nature can be a
problem unless proper precautions are taken. Some of these natural hazards include seering summer
temperatures, lack of shade trees along the riverbanks, strong headwinds, fireants and occasionally snakes,
though they are not usually a problem unless you step on them or attempt to handle them. The long distances
between access points can be the single biggest hazard for most paddlers. The few rapids to be encountered
will generally fall into the Class I- to I+ category, and are easily negotiated by being observant and taking the
proper line through them.
Bastrop State Park (512-321-2101) has a lodge, cabins, tent camping sites, water, electricity, RV park,
showers, restrooms, park store, dump stations and other amenities; Bastrop County Park in Webberville has
campsites with picnic tables; FM 969 crossing has limited primitive campsites on a first come, space
available basis; Buescher State Park (512-237-2241); Columbus Chamber of Commerce Park has limited
facilities. Numerous riverbank and gravel bar campsites are available, but heed the admonition regarding use
of private property and DO NOT TRESPASS without permission.
Rising Phoenix Adventures (512-677-2305) in Bastrop offers canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle
services, mountain bike rentals, sales and repairs, camping gear sales and related services for outdoor
recreation activities on the Colorado River between Austin and Smithville. Cook's Canoes (512-276-7767) in
downtown Webberville offers canoe and kayak rentals, shuttles and other services on the Colorado River
between Austin and Bastrop. Remote boat rentals and shuttles may be arranged by contacting Austin Outdoor
Gear & Guidance (512-473-2628), or other outfitters and liveries operating at or near other nearby rivers.
The Colorado is one of those flatwater rivers that excites even a whitewater enthusiast because of the
abundance of natural plants and animals to be seen. Paddling through a part of Texas that is largely
unchanged from the frontier days before and after independence from Mexico is a step back in time, and if you
close your eyes and open your ears you can sometimes hear the sounds of the past, where numerous Texas
Indian nations fought Mexicans and Americans, and where the Texians made their stands against the armies
of Santa Ana in 1836. Just seeing the bald eagles soaring in the skies overhead is an awesome thing to
behold.
The headwinds can and will make you shout profanities at times, especially in times of low water, when you
are already having to walk more than you wanted to do. However, the rugged, natural environment and the
richness of the animal- and plantlife is a photographer's Valhalla. The key to enjoying the Colorado River is to
know what to expect and be prepared to manage it within a time schedule you have developed for completing
your trip. The access points allow you to plan trips of moderate to long distances according to your idea of a
perfect river trip.
your eye. The section between FM 969 south of Webberville and SH 71 at Smithville is about 38 miles of
flatwater paddling. Flowing northwest to southeast, the Colorado River is characterized by occasionally strong
southeasterly headwinds that will slow you down and which may make your trip a little less enjoyable. There
are numerous access points for putting in and taking out, but some stretches can be many miles between
them, so careful trip planning is essential.
This reach of the river is home to the Alamo City Rivermen's annual overnight Freeze Trip, a mid-winter event
that features more than 100 paddlers in 60-70 boats, great food, hot grog (a specialty of Gib Hafernick) and a
whole lot of fun. This run is entirely within Bastrop County with almost identical characteristics as the reach
above except for Lost Pines, an isolated area of pine trees once connected to the Piney Woods of Deep East
Texas that seems out of place among the elms, willows and sycamores of Bastrop County. Along this reach
the flood plain becomes deeper revealing very scenic sandstone cliffs and bluffs. Fishing is great, and many
animals can often be seen along the river. Bald eagles may be seen in winter months. Weather and flow
conditions will be very similar to other parts of the Colorado River below Austin, where a wide stream and
slow surrent will usually be found.
The entire length of the Colorado River flows through land steeped in Texas history. Many battlefields of the
War for Independence from Mexico lie along this route. Names of people and places that are legendary in
Texas history will be seen everywhere. The only major drawback is the lack of commercial liveries and shuttle
services - you will need to bring your own boats and gear and arrange your own shuttles. Depending upon the
length of the trip you want to take setting up a shuttle for the last day can take up a good part of the first day -
plan accordingly and allow adequate time for staging shuttle vehicles at the take-out.
Most of the hazards on the Colorado River are not rapids, waterfalls, rock ledges, outcroppings or obstacles
to paddling. The river is, for all intents and purposes, free of such hazards. However, Mother Nature can be a
problem unless proper precautions are taken. Some of these natural hazards include seering summer
temperatures, lack of shade trees along the riverbanks, strong headwinds, fireants and occasionally snakes,
though they are not usually a problem unless you step on them or attempt to handle them. The long distances
between access points can be the single biggest hazard for most paddlers. The few rapids to be encountered
will generally fall into the Class I- to I+ category, and are easily negotiated by being observant and taking the
proper line through them.
Bastrop State Park (512-321-2101) has a lodge, cabins, tent camping sites, water, electricity, RV park,
showers, restrooms, park store, dump stations and other amenities; Bastrop County Park in Webberville has
campsites with picnic tables; FM 969 crossing has limited primitive campsites on a first come, space
available basis; Buescher State Park (512-237-2241); Columbus Chamber of Commerce Park has limited
facilities. Numerous riverbank and gravel bar campsites are available, but heed the admonition regarding use
of private property and DO NOT TRESPASS without permission.
Rising Phoenix Adventures (512-677-2305) in Bastrop offers canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle
services, mountain bike rentals, sales and repairs, camping gear sales and related services for outdoor
recreation activities on the Colorado River between Austin and Smithville. Cook's Canoes (512-276-7767) in
downtown Webberville offers canoe and kayak rentals, shuttles and other services on the Colorado River
between Austin and Bastrop. Remote boat rentals and shuttles may be arranged by contacting Austin Outdoor
Gear & Guidance (512-473-2628), or other outfitters and liveries operating at or near other nearby rivers.
The Colorado is one of those flatwater rivers that excites even a whitewater enthusiast because of the
abundance of natural plants and animals to be seen. Paddling through a part of Texas that is largely
unchanged from the frontier days before and after independence from Mexico is a step back in time, and if you
close your eyes and open your ears you can sometimes hear the sounds of the past, where numerous Texas
Indian nations fought Mexicans and Americans, and where the Texians made their stands against the armies
of Santa Ana in 1836. Just seeing the bald eagles soaring in the skies overhead is an awesome thing to
behold.
The headwinds can and will make you shout profanities at times, especially in times of low water, when you
are already having to walk more than you wanted to do. However, the rugged, natural environment and the
richness of the animal- and plantlife is a photographer's Valhalla. The key to enjoying the Colorado River is to
know what to expect and be prepared to manage it within a time schedule you have developed for completing
your trip. The access points allow you to plan trips of moderate to long distances according to your idea of a
perfect river trip.
| The Colorado River |
| The Colorado River |
Bastrop County Historical Society Museum
702 Main Street
Bastrop, TX 78602-3806
512-303-0057
Located in the historic John Cornelson House which was built about 1850, this museum is dedicated to
preserving and collecting materials, artifacts, and documents relating to the pioneer days of Bastrop.
702 Main Street
Bastrop, TX 78602-3806
512-303-0057
Located in the historic John Cornelson House which was built about 1850, this museum is dedicated to
preserving and collecting materials, artifacts, and documents relating to the pioneer days of Bastrop.
Pine Forest Golf Club
636 Riverside Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602-7208
512-321-1181
www.pineforestgolfclub.com/golf/proto/pineforest/home/home.htm
Running along the beautiful Colorado River, this championship 18 hole golf course is set in the natural
beauty of the Bastrop Lost Pines and features a variety of elevated tees.
636 Riverside Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602-7208
512-321-1181
www.pineforestgolfclub.com/golf/proto/pineforest/home/home.htm
Running along the beautiful Colorado River, this championship 18 hole golf course is set in the natural
beauty of the Bastrop Lost Pines and features a variety of elevated tees.
Central Texas Museum of Automotive History
Bastrop, TX 78953
512-237-2635,
www.ctmah.org
This museum is located 15 miles south of Bastrop and it traces the history of automobiles with a
collection of over 125 beautiful vintage and collectible cars, trucks, and other vehicles. A large
automotive library with publications dating back to the turn-of-the-century is also on site.
Bastrop, TX 78953
512-237-2635,
www.ctmah.org
This museum is located 15 miles south of Bastrop and it traces the history of automobiles with a
collection of over 125 beautiful vintage and collectible cars, trucks, and other vehicles. A large
automotive library with publications dating back to the turn-of-the-century is also on site.
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop, TX 78602
512-321-2101,800-792-1112
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/bastrop
Site of the famous Lost Pines, an isolated timbered region of hardwoods and loblolly pines, this park
covers over 3,500 beautiful acres and offers opportunities for backpacking, camping, picnicking,
canoeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing. An outdoor pool, sports areas, rustic cabins, and one of
the finest and most scenic 18 hole golf courses in Central Texas are also part of the park.
Bastrop, TX 78602
512-321-2101,800-792-1112
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/bastrop
Site of the famous Lost Pines, an isolated timbered region of hardwoods and loblolly pines, this park
covers over 3,500 beautiful acres and offers opportunities for backpacking, camping, picnicking,
canoeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing. An outdoor pool, sports areas, rustic cabins, and one of
the finest and most scenic 18 hole golf courses in Central Texas are also part of the park.
Colo Vista Golf Course
100 Country Club Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602
512-321-6522
www.colovista.com/page/43-1182.htm
One of the finest golf courses in Texas, this challenging 18 hole, par 72 golf course features a Texas
Style Links course on the front nine and a Hill Country Design on the back nine. Two expansive putting
greens, a pitching area, a practice bunker, and a practice tee are also on site.
100 Country Club Drive
Bastrop, TX 78602
512-321-6522
www.colovista.com/page/43-1182.htm
One of the finest golf courses in Texas, this challenging 18 hole, par 72 golf course features a Texas
Style Links course on the front nine and a Hill Country Design on the back nine. Two expansive putting
greens, a pitching area, a practice bunker, and a practice tee are also on site.
