Columbus Paddling Trail

columbus1

Paddling the Colorado River through the town of Columbus you have the opportunity to see wildflowers, birds, turtles and more! This 6.5 mile trail can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete, and the peaceful waters and calm rapids will give you a wonderful day on the river.

Trail Access

71 Business Crossing

Type:
Put In
GPS Coordinates:
29.7128, -96.5466

Under the North River Bridge. Look for signage directing you to the "boat ramp".

Beason's Park

Type:
Take Out
GPS Coordinates:
29.7055, -96.5360

Come see the new and improved take-out at Beason's Park, where you can rest at one of the many shaded picnic tables. You will also find free parking, restrooms and a pavilion. Beason's Park is located on Hwy 90 (Walnut Street) near the East River Bridge, just one block from downtown Columbus.

columbus2

Trail Length: ~6.5 miles

Float Time: 2 - 5 hours (depending on water levels and flow rates)

Trail Description

On this stretch of the Colorado River you will see a mix of gently sloping to steep sandy banks, flat flood plains, and tree-lined ridges with mature trees. Enjoy this wide, open, peaceful trail with a few calm rapids and multiple islands great for picnicking during first third of the trail. You will pass several cattle ranches and very few houses as you paddle. Look forward to a spectacular wildflower display during the spring.

Private Property

Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. This river is classified as navigable, which permits public use of the streambed and, if necessary, the banks to portage any hazard. Any other use of private river banks without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.

Trail Map

map_columbus

Things to Do and See

Fishing

columbus3

Light line is recommended if you like to fish for Alligator gar, Bluegill, Buffalo, Carp, Chad, Channel catfish, Guadalupe Bass, Longnose gar, Sunfish, Yellow catfish, all of which have been spotted on this trail. Shiners and Red tail grey horse are also common.

Wildlife and Ecology

Bring your binoculars and field guide to enjoy birding. You could spot vultures, cardinals, egrets, flycatchers, herons, hawks, Ibis, killdeer, and even Roseate Spoonbills.

Among the many trees, look for Bald Cypress, Box Elder, Buckeye, Cottonwood, Sycamore and Willow. You will also see an interesting mix of flowering Hibiscus and Button-Bush, Arizona Trumpet and Kudzu Vines, and a variety of Cactus. If it's sunny, you might see turtles basking on a log or a water snake.

Rentals and Shuttles

Howell's Riverfront

804 Robson St.
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: (979) 732-6047
Howell's Facebook page

Partnership

This trail was made possible through a partnership with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Colorado County, the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation, Howell Canoe Livery, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.