Floating Texas Journal

Updates from the site, river recaps, and the occasional safety note.

July 21, 2026weatherfloodingtropicalfrioguadalupehill country
First the Floods. Now Big Bertha.
The upper Guadalupe jumped more than 30 feet in hours, the Frio hit major flood stage near Uvalde, and Tropical Storm Bertha is crawling across the Gulf toward Texas.
July 14, 2026weatherrainfloodingfriohill country
The Hill Country Is Soaked. The Frio Is Still Rising.
Radar estimates topped a foot near Hondo, roads closed across the western Hill Country, and the Frio at Concan climbed from 15.6 to 4,240 cfs in one day.
May 5, 2026weathersciencefloodingoutlook
What the Pacific Is Telling Us About Summer 2026 in Texas
The Pacific is running hot and El Niño is showing up early. Here is what that probably means for the Hill Country rivers between now and Halloween.
April 17, 2026friogarnerconcantrip-planning
A Weekend on the Frio: Garner State Park, Concan, and the Best Spots in Between
Three hours from Austin, four from Houston, and worth every mile. Here's how to spend two days on the Frio without missing the parts that matter.
April 10, 2026seasonsplanningtubing2026
When Does Texas Tubing Season Start? A Month-by-Month Guide for 2026
April through October on the Hill Country rivers, what to expect each month, and what 2026's El Niño setup is likely to do to the season.
April 3, 2026safetygaugeseducationconditions
How to Read a Texas River Gauge: CFS, Gauge Height, and When to Stay Home
Two numbers on every gauge: flow and height. Knowing what they mean is the difference between a great Saturday and a story that ends in a helicopter.
March 27, 2026guadalupetubingaccess-pointsplanning
The 5 Best Tubing Access Points on the Guadalupe River
From the Gruene crowd to the upstream quiet of the state park, here are the five Guadalupe put-ins worth knowing, and which one to pick on which day.
March 20, 2026riverscomparisontubingplanning
Guadalupe vs. Comal vs. San Marcos vs. Frio: Which Texas River Is Right for Your Float?
Four Hill Country rivers, four very different days. Here's an honest comparison from somebody who has done all of them, with kids and without.