Brazos River (Texas)

A relaxing stop on a sand bar, Brazos River

General Description & Characteristics -- The Brazos River is one of the longest rivers contained entirely in the state of Texas, flowing over 700 miles from northwest Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. In its upper reaches, it flows through semi-arid rolling prairies. Farther downstream the Brazos traverses the bluffs and hills of the Palo Pinto Mountains. While there are several large reservoirs on the Brazos, there are also hundreds of miles of floatable river, and those miles are relatively free of impoundment and hazards. Easy access and scenic beauty make the Brazos the most popular float stream in north Texas. In the section described here, there are a few riffles, but nothing approaching a serious rapid.

Location & Canoeable Mileage -- The best section for an extended canoe-camp trip is from state highway 16 (just below the dam at Possum Kingdom Reservoir) to FM 2580 near the village of Tin Top, a total distance of 110 miles. This can be easily done in a week, unless there is no release from the Possum Kingdom dam, in which case the upper section will be very slow with rocky shoals that may require getting out of the canoe and walking. There are access points at most road crossings along this route, allowing shorter trips if desired.

The dam at Possum Kingdom is quite old and seems to have about 70 cfs of "leakage" that provides a minimal amount of water in the river, although that amount is really not sufficient for enjoyable canoeing.  In dry years, additional releases can be few and far between.

To put in at highway 16, we recommend leaving vehicles at Rochelle's Canoe Rental and getting them to shuttle you up to the launch site.  Unfortunately, Rochelle's does not provide shuttle service for the long trip contemplated here, so you will have to provide your own shuttle to your final destination.  At the last possible take out before the river backs up into Lake Granbury, there is a good public ramp and large parking area (on Old Tin Top Road - off the main highway).

In addition to this section, one can also canoe the lower Brazos River (below Waco) for nearly 400 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. While not as scenic as the upper section, this portion of the river has many points of interest, including abandoned navigational locks, and at least two sections of rapids.

Interesting Features -- The banks of the upper Brazos rise to the rugged hills of some tough ranch land. On many of the major bends, majestic bluffs of the Palo Pinto Mountains overlook the river. The Brazos is wide, and in many places shallow, flowing over rock shelves, gravel, and sand. Except immediately below the dams, the river carries some silt, making it somewhat murky at most times.  In early spring the hills are adorned with the white blossoms of wild plum trees.

As you float downstream, the land gradually becomes less hilly, giving away to more agricultural use, but it retains a rugged character throughout this run. Bald eagles are frequently seen on the Brazos in the cool season.

Camping -- While the land along the Brazos is virtually all in private ownership, camping on gravel and sand bars is permitted, as they are considered part of the river under Texas law. There are often sheltered woods nearby. Some of the larger bends have extensive sand bars that provide camping opportunities for the largest of groups. There are also some privately owned commercial campsites along the river that provide varying levels of amenities.

Additional Information:

Canoeing Information	Cybersports Canoe Brazos page MISSION InPOSSUMable (Tales of canoeing the upper Brazos)
Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service	Dale River Ranch downstream from FM 4 Rochelle's Canoe Rental on FM 4 at the Brazos River
River Flow Data	USGS Gauge Near Graford Texas (at SH 16 bridge) If you have difficulty obtaining information from these links, click here and follow directions to your area of interest: Redirect to USGS Water Main Page
Parks on/near the River	.
Towns/Other Locales on/near the River	.
Books	Goodbye to a River by John Graves, a fascinating account of the history of the region set in the context of the author's solo canoe trip down the river. Rivers and Rapids (Nolen/Narramore)
More Pictures	.
Environmental Issues/Organizations	.
Acknowledgments/Contributors	.
Miscellaneous	Dallas Downriver Club Brazos River Authority

South Central Locator Map