Does anyone have a recommendation on a good place for an extended 2 or 3 day kayak trip in Texas? I read about a guy that did this on the Sabine downstream of Toledo Bend Reservoir and enjoyed it. Mainly just looking for a place with decent scenery and places to camp along the way.

Also kind of looking to avoid seeing too many people along the way (i.e. Frio river, etc...)

Ultimate "avoid poeple" kayak camping trip is the Devils River. A few OB posters have done the float, so I'll let them chime in. Something on my Bucket List.

Colorado from Austin to Bastrop.

I can't remember when the annual kayak/canoe race is on this section, but Bastrop to La Grange would be a good one. As long as the race is not going on, you may not see anyone else on the river.

Lots of sandbars and gravel banks for camping and good public access to the river.

Here's TPWD's public acess site:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/habitats/rivers/access/coloradorbaccess.htm

I put in and fish at 71 in La Grange pretty often in the fall/winter. I've caught fish any time the water is somewhat clear reguardless of air/water temp.

Good bass fishing on this section as well. All you need is some spinnerbaits and small cranks...

Colorado R just about anywhere, Middle Brazos below lake Whitney, Llano (though camping spots are very limited), San Marcos, Devils, Nueces, Pecos, Village Creek...lots of places to paddle and overnight.

The Colorado is easiest, as the campsites and put ins and take outs are well used and pretty well documented.

My brother has done the Bend to Colorado Bend trip with his wife. Taking their time and exploring on the way, it took them eight hours. One day, I would like to make that trip, overnight at the park and continue on to the Canyon of the Eagles resort. I would check out Buchanan Adventure Tours to see what they offer if I was looking for something in that area.

http://www.buchananadventuretours.com/

[This message has been edited by HECUBUS (edited 10/7/2010 10:26a).]

The Devils is great but requires effort for planning and would require at least 4 days for drive down, kayak trip, and drive back.

The Llano is amazing with great scenery, clear water, and decent fishing. You can camp on the huge island at the James River Crossing. The water is low right now, but when it is around 200 cfs its a great trip.

As mentioned, the colorado south of Austin is a good trip with lots of campsites, access, and hungry bass, but the atmosphere is lacking when compared to the Llano.

http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/llano5.html

The area between 1871 and 1723 is my favorite section.

friend who put in on Brazos at Possum Kingdom.

I've done the CR 100 (River race from Bastrop to Columbus) that AgGolfer speaks of. Would be glad to discuss the river between those two areas and give suggestions of overnight trips.

Neches anywhere north of Dam B (Lake Steinhagen).

Very isolated and very rarely do you see people. Mainly people fishing near road crossings. Also very pretty.

May I suggest a user's guide the love of my life wrote.

http://tamuecfdev.qa.qinformation.com/PublicStore/product/Neches-River-User-Guide,5196.aspx

But on the Neches, if you hear banjo music, paddle faster!

Those all sound like great trips. Devils River sounds really interesting. Do you need any whitewater skills to navigate it? I'm a noob kayaker and don't want to have to do any eskimo rolls or the like.

You don't really need whitewater skills if you portage Dolan Falls. Just use your brain and don't do stupid things. You need navigation, camping, and general outdoor skills more than anything.

The water level is too low right now (I was going to go this weekend, but canceled because of the low flow). A 2" rain will put the river level right back where it needs to be. Unless you go in high water, this is about as rough as it gets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-y5XA5SzMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdv4dyIC6qk

quote:

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Unless you go in high water, this is about as rough as it gets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-y5XA5SzMM

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We did a stretch of Devil's 3 weeks ago. Agree that Three Tiers was the roughest that we went through. Our group had a few Sit-on-Top kayaks and a few canoes. I was in a canoe with another guy and we did it. We did flip near the end but secured everything before we hit Three Tiers since we knew we'd probably end up taking a spill. Great fun, though. It was my first trip and I can't wait to get back. Caught a bunch of small to decent sized smallmouth and it was like fishing in an aquarium it was so crystal clear.

Devils!

Don't even attempt the falls.