Which public access on the Guad would be best for wading with a kid.



I am aware of the dangers of children in waders in moving water.

Depends on the age of the kid and their dexterity. I wouldn't take anyone under 10 into the Guadalupe and would be hesitant with a child that wasn't a teenager. The river has a very slippery, uneven bottom, with lots of limestone cuts that can go from a few inches deep to several feet deep in a short distance. The water can be very turbid, with low visibility, so it's difficult to know what the next step might bring. So, I'd be sure the kid has a wading staff and non-skid boots/waders and knows how to wade in current. Rubber soles on most cheap kids waders won't cut it.

That said, wading is better further downstream, in areas like Mountain Breeze or Camp Huaco Springs. The have more gradual, graveled bottoms.

Take care and be sure the kid or kids have some training before attempting to take them along.

Thanks for the spots mick. We are prepared for the danger just ignorant to the Guad. He has felt soles and a staff, we've practiced exiting filled waders, and I was a swift water rescue trainer for several years. Thanks again.

I think Little Ponderosa actually has a great gradual bank too honestly. Hell for that matter Rio Raft has a gradual bank. Mountain Breeze can be tough for wading honestly but just upstream at Gardo's or Gilligan's their bank is phenomenal. Gardo's is a GRTU spot to boot.

Neither Rio Raft nor Little Ponderosa are public leases. Daily fees may be required. Not sure whether one can pay a day fee at Gardo's or Gilligan's.

TPWD lists Rio Raft as free, is that untrue?

According to this page on the TPWD website:

http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/guadalupe.phtml

there are five public spots along the Guadalupe trout fishery.

-- Guadalupe Park, right below Canyon Dam, owned by the Army Corps of Engineers
-- Camp Huaco Springs (thru March 12th)
-- Whitewater Sports
-- Mountain Breeze
-- Rio Guadalupe Resort

Confusion is in the name change. What used to be Rio Raft is now the Rio Guadalupe Resort

It has some decent safe wading on the upstream end of the resort. Footing gets trickier and the bottom much more striated down near the bridge at Fourth Crossing.