There is a specific kind of Central Texas summer day where the AC is losing the fight and the only reasonable response is to get in the water. Good news if you are camped near Bastrop: the Colorado River is right here, the paddling is genuinely good, and one of the best splash-rafting spots in the area is quite literally across the street.
So before you melt into your camp chair, here is the honest, no-fluff guide to cooling off on the water near Austin, ranked from "walk out the gate" to "worth the short drive."
The quick answer
The easiest way to cool off on the Colorado River near Austin is a family-friendly paddle with Bastrop River Company out of Fisherman's Park in Bastrop, or guided splash-rafting at McKinney Roughs Nature Park, which sits directly across Highway 71 from Great Escapes Austin Oaks in Cedar Creek. Both are minutes from camp. For a classic lazy-river tube float, the San Marcos River is about 45 minutes away. Closest equals easiest. A little farther equals the full tube-float experience.
1. Paddle the Colorado with Bastrop River Company (about 15 minutes)
This is the local move. Bastrop River Company runs out of Fisherman's Park in Bastrop, calls itself the largest outfitter on the Lower Colorado, and keeps a fleet of more than 200 kayaks and canoes ready to go. You do not need your own gear or any real experience.
Their most popular run is the El Camino Real Paddling Trail, an easygoing float with calm water that is built for families and first-timers, with plenty of spots to swim or pull over for a picnic along the way. It is shady, it is scenic, and it is exactly the kind of slow river day that makes a Texas summer bearable. Fisherman's Park is about 15 minutes east of camp in Bastrop.
Best for: families, beginners, and anyone who wants a relaxed paddle without a long drive.
2. Splash raft and hike at McKinney Roughs (right across the highway)
You can practically wave at this one from your site. McKinney Roughs Nature Park is a sprawling LCRA nature park sitting directly across Highway 71 from Great Escapes Austin Oaks, and it packs a surprising amount of adventure into one place.
Down at the water, the park runs guided splash-rafting trips on the lower Colorado, a fun, cooling way to get on the river with a guide doing the work. Back on land there are miles of hiking trails winding through four distinct ecosystems, and if you want to add a jolt of adrenaline, the park is home to zip-lining tours, including a dual zipline. It is the rare spot where you can raft the river in the morning and fly through the trees in the afternoon.
Best for: campers who want maximum adventure with a two-minute commute.
3. Chase a classic tube float on the San Marcos River (about 45 minutes)
If your heart is set on the quintessential Texas experience, a cold drink, a tube, and a lazy current carrying you nowhere in particular, point the truck southwest. The spring-fed San Marcos River is about 45 minutes away and it is one of the most beloved tube floats in the state, famous for its clear, cool water that stays refreshing even in the dog days of August.
It is a bit of a drive, but on a triple-digit afternoon, that cool spring water is worth every mile. Go on a weekday if you can to dodge the crowds.
Best for: the bucket-list lazy-river tube day.
4. Level up with a sunset paddle or a river-camping overnight
Once you have the river bug, Bastrop River Company also runs guided overnight trips, paddling downstream and camping riverside, plus the occasional moonlight tour when the timing lines up. It is a genuinely special way to see this stretch of the Colorado, and a memorable add-on if you are posted up in the area for a while.
Best for: paddlers ready for something beyond the afternoon float.
5. The easiest cool-off of all: back at camp
Some days you do not want to drive anywhere. That is what the pool is for. After a morning on the river, Great Escapes Austin Oaks gives you a pool to cool off in, shady oak sites to nap under, and a community grill and covered pavilion for an easy river-day cookout. See the full amenities list for everything on the grounds.
Quick tips for a hot-weather river day
A few things that make a Texas summer float better:
- Go in the morning. The water is calmer, the crowds are thinner, and you beat the worst of the afternoon heat.
- Sun is no joke here. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a rash guard save the day.
- Bring water you can actually drink, not just water to float on. Hydration matters more than you think out there.
- Water shoes beat flip-flops on rocky put-ins and takeouts.
- Secure your stuff. Phones and rivers are not friends. A dry bag is cheap insurance.
Why Austin Oaks is the perfect river basecamp
Here is the math that makes this spot special: a two-minute hop gets you to McKinney Roughs, about 15 minutes gets you paddling the Colorado at Bastrop, and a short drive puts you on a classic San Marcos tube float. Great Escapes Austin Oaks sits right in the middle of all of it, on shady oak grounds in Cedar Creek at 761 Union Chapel Rd, with full-hookup RV sites and cabins to come home to.
Roll in, set up camp, and pick your water for the morning. Staying cool this summer is closer than you think.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go tubing or paddling on the Colorado River near Austin? The closest options are a family-friendly kayak or canoe paddle with Bastrop River Company out of Fisherman's Park in Bastrop, and guided splash-rafting at McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Cedar Creek. Both are minutes from Great Escapes Austin Oaks. For a classic lazy-river tube float, the San Marcos River is about 45 minutes away.
Is the Colorado River near Bastrop good for beginners and families? Yes. Bastrop River Company's most popular trip, the El Camino Real Paddling Trail, has calm water and is designed for families and first-timers, with spots to swim and picnic along the way.
How close is McKinney Roughs to Great Escapes Austin Oaks? Very close. McKinney Roughs Nature Park sits directly across Highway 71 from the resort, roughly a two-minute drive, and offers guided splash-rafting on the Colorado, hiking trails, and ziplines.
Do I need my own kayak or tube? No. Bastrop River Company rents kayaks and canoes and runs guided trips, so you can show up without any gear.
When is the best time of day to float in the Texas summer? Mornings are ideal. The water is calmer, it is cooler, and the crowds are smaller, especially on weekends.
Is there somewhere to cool off right at the campground? Yes. Great Escapes Austin Oaks has a swimming pool on site, plus shaded sites and a covered pavilion, so you can cool down without leaving camp.
Grab a paddle and beat the heat
The best way to survive a Central Texas summer is to spend it on the water, and few places make that as easy as this pocket of the Colorado River near Bastrop. Paddle it, raft it, float it, then come back to camp and jump in the pool.
Plan your stay at Great Escapes Austin Oaks in Cedar Creek and make it your summer river basecamp.