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The
Guadalupe River was one of the earliest-explored rivers
in Texas, and was named for Our Lady
of Guadalupe by Spanish explorer Alonzo de Leon in 1689. During 1691-93,
Domingo Teran de los Rios, the Spanish Governor of Texas, maintained
a colony on the river, and an early Anglo-American settlement, with
thirty to forty families living along the banks, formed the boundary
of the Power-Hewitson Irish Colony. Near the mouth of the river, historic
Victoria
was founded. Sixty miles above the headwaters is Gonzales,
where the first shot for Texas freedom was fired on October 2, 1835.
The Guadalupe River is 250 miles long and supports some of the finest
recreation spots in Central Texas.
Take IH35 to Loop 337 (TX 46) and go west from New
Braunfels. Take a right at the first stoplight after crossing
the river and follow the blue signs. |
View of the railroad
bridge over the Guadalupe River in New
Braunfels
Photo courtesy Chia-Wei Wang, August 2006 |
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River Road
River Road is a
10.6-mile scenic drive between Loop 337 in New
Braunfels and Canyon Lake Dam which crosses the Guadalupe River
four times. There is no stopping or parking allowed on the road, so
the best way to see this area is from an innertube on the river.
Millions of people float this 20-mile stretch of the river between
Sattler and New
Braunfels every summer. The river flows from Canyon Dam
toward the coast, and is extremely popular. There are over two dozen
outfitters along the shore where you can rent tubes and canoes and
buy concessions. Most outfitters offer a shuttle service to bring
you back to your point of entry. Styrofoam and glass are prohibited
on the river, and officers patrol the waters for safety. Whitewater
rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular,
but tubing seems to be the mode of choice. The river cuts through
tall limestone bluffs and towering cypress trees. There are occasional
rapids, but for the most part the river flows along lazily. The riverfront
property is all privately owned, and there are many places to camp
and spend the night, as well as restaurants.
Book Hotel Here › New
Braunfels Hotels |
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Guadalupe River
Photo courtesy Gloria Bauernfeind, 2007 |
| "A
picture taken about 1919 of Papa & his sisters on an excursion somewhere
on the Guadalupe River when they visited their grandfather."
- Sarah
Reveley |
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