Medina River Runs Forever

One of the great things about the Hill Country of Texas are the beautiful rivers flowing through the region. They are great to tube and float or just sit in during the blistering heat of summer. The water has a quality that is refreshing and renewing. A Saturday afternoon in any of these rivers can take the stress away from the week.

One of the best rivers for a lazy and refreshing afternoon is the Medina river. It is not as crowded as the Guadalupe or Comal and even in a dry season, plenty of water can still be found flowing through its banks at the Bandera City Park.

At one time, the river was designated as the border between Texas and Coahuila. Running 120 miles from the Edwards Plateau in Bandera county to the San Antonio River, the cypress lined river provides water to farmers and ranchers from the hill country to the start of the South Texas plains.

Bring your own tubes, buy some at the Super S in town, or rent them from the Bandera Beach Club or Medina River Company. After a full day of tubing, check out some live music at the Bandera Saloon, 11th Street Cowboy Bar, Arkey's Silver Dollar or the Longhorn Saloon. I recommend the Bandera bar crawl for the winter when it is too cold to get in the river the next day.

The Medina River Protection Fund is working to protect this beautiful natural resource through support for an annual clean up. The Bandera Business Association presents its annual Riverfest with an anything that floats regatta.

Jump on in for an afternoon, entire day or just 30 minutes to experience one of the best rivers in Texas.

hill country texas hills

Growing up in East Texas, I always said you never know what goes on behind all those trees....but out in this part of Texas south and west of Austin, I've learned you never know what great things are around those hill country Texas hills. There are many miles to explore with stops for cold drinks, down home food and honky tonk music. On many days, you can still feel the spirits from Enchanted Rock all through the area as you float down the rivers and soak up the warm sunshine.



Make sure to stop in at Arkey's Silver Dollar to learn more about the love affair with the region. On winter afternoons, you can sit in front of the rock fireplace and dally in leaving town. During the summer, stay as long as you can dancing on the sawdust covered floor knowing you only have to sit in a tube taking in the minerals from the Medina River the next day. Black-eyed peas here at New Year's Eve are the best way to start off an incredible year.



As I travel through the Hill Country and, when I'm lucky, the wide open West Texas highways, I'll share the great places and wonderful people along the way.