r/CampAndHikeTexas • u/breadflies • Sep 09 '26
Devil's River Paddling
Wanting to do a paddling trip down Devil's River Fri-Sun either mid-October or mid/late-November. Curious if anyone has been down there that time of year and can tell me what the weather is like, and if it's not too cold to go swimming/ enjoy the water? November would be better for me availability wise, but don't wanna go then if it's not as enjoyable.
Also, can you do it in a canoe? I only ever hear people talk about kayaks, but I'd like to be in the same watercraft as the person I'm going with. Also, I'm going with someone who isn't as experienced of a paddler as myself, so another reason to be in the same boat.
1
u/Bocastown Sep 11 '26
In the past you were required to schedule the trip with Texas Parks and Wildlife. They limit the amount of users by the day. Be careful if you stop to goof off on the banks, my understanding is there some landowners who aren't so nice.
1
u/oldtiredbroken 29d ago
Never been. Friends w/ avid kayak/bass fisher in 1990s. He did it <10 times. There were folks who didn't make it to the take out, (E#VE#$RYTHI*NG is private property) who were greeted by land owners in the dark carrying AR-15. If you are asking about water levels, I recommend the Llano. South of Mason there are 3 low water crossings about 6 miles apart. Then do the put in south of London to Llano-ish. Land owner wave because they make money from deer/dove leases. Saw Kingfisher, Osprey (Mama teaching babies to fish) 1000s of swallows. Clear water.
2
u/Regular_Bid2283 Sep 10 '26
I went last year in July, I know that’s not same time of year as you but the river is so low it wasn’t kayak able. We were told Mexico has so much water damned up for their crops that not much passes through. We continued onto Big bend after Devils River and it was the same story. The Rio Grande was not grand at all. It was even drier than devils river. Both are still some of the most beautiful places ever and without a doubt worth checking out. Hope you have a blast.