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River access
in Texas is restricted. However, access possibilities do exist,
including access with landowner permission, at a low-water crossing, or
entrance at public access points. A city, county or state park may
provide access, as well as private camps which usually charge a fee. In
most cases a public entity has obtained a right-of-way at low-water
crossings on a public road or highway, thus this may be a point of
public access. Although such rights-of-way generally include several
feet* beyond the edges of a roadway, it is best, and safest, to confirm
details. Usually parking at one of the corners of a low-water crossing
or bridge is permitted, however the roadway must remain clear.
The
Village of Wimberley has acquired Blue
Hole, where a swimming area is scheduled for public access on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
It's always a good idea to call first (512-847-0025) before making plans for
swimming there. (Click
here for more about that.)
Private
access, through private camps or private property with
landowner permission, can be another way to enjoy the water. If a landowner says
"yes," naturally you'd remember to treat the property as your
own. It goes without saying that under no circumstances should fires be
built, trash left behind, or unsanitary waste management be practiced.
Respect for wildlife is, we hope, a given.
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If you're a
bit dazed and confused at this point concerning what the law
specifically states about river access in Texas, you're certainly not
alone. For information about navigability definitions and access, click
here to view a good resource of information (Overview
of Texas Stream Navigation Law). For instance, consider this brief
excerpt from this document: |
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"Access must
usually be obtained through the use of public property. The
typical access may be from the right-of-way of a public road
that crosses the stream, through a publicly-owned boat launch
area, or from some other public land (a park, for example)
adjacent to the stream. There is no general right to cross
private property to get to a navigable stream. There are a
number of privately-owned parks or campgrounds where members of
the public may have access to a navigable stream by paying a
small fee to the landowner. If the private landowner forbids
access, an attempt to use the private land would be a trespass.
State law
prohibits parking on a highway bridge and generally forbids
(with certain exceptions) parking in the main traveled part of a
highway." (1) |
For
more information as it becomes available, return often to VisitWimberley.com to
check out new listings in Services,
Lodging, or Things
to Do in Wimberley, offering camping options or river access.
In
summary, check before entering at any point in a river or stream
about which you may be uncertain. There are a few old timers round
about who may not hesitate to shoot first and ask questions later, and
we want you to survive to enjoy many wonderful river experiences here!
Best wishes
for happy floating, great fishing, relaxing wading, and peaceful moments
sitting riverside, watching the birds!
Click on the
heron
for more about
Birds of Wimberley!
*Think
"eight feet," but we suggest assuming nothing, depending upon
landowner's attitudes.
(1)
COMPILED BY
JOE RIDDELL ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS
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