guadalupe-river-road

River Road and Horseshoe Loop sit just below Canyon Dam, so this reach floats on the dam release rather than rainfall, the flow changes when the lake's outflow changes. The shorter Horseshoe floats run even at low summer releases.

The premium run here is 1st Crossing to Gruene: a long, all-day float with 4–5 rapids and the prettiest water on the river. Outfitters only run it at roughly 200 cfs of dam release and up, below that there's no commercial access on that section. Rockin' R River Rides is the primary outfitter for the route in good conditions, and it's the most popular section for rafting (not just tubing) thanks to the rapids and the length.

At high water this section becomes guided-only, a hired river guide in the boat, with rapids running up to Class III. Low-head dams along River Road are dangerous even at comfortable flows; know where they are and portage.