Fish & Game
TPWD Adds River Access Sites on Brazos, Colorado
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expanded public fishing and paddling opportunities on the Brazos and Colorado rivers with four new leased river access sites through the River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) Program.
The new RACA sites on the Brazos River are upstream of Lake Granbury in Parker County and feature three access points. The new Colorado River RACA site is located near the city of Bastrop just off FM 969.
“Historically in Texas, recreation on rivers has been limited by a lack of quality public access,” says John Botros, TPWD river access coordinator. “These new RACA sites are an important step in expanding the public’s options for safe, legal and high-quality fishing and paddling access on rivers. Conveniently located near major urban centers of Fort Worth and Austin, these new sites should aid in fostering a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for individuals seeking outdoor adventures in Texas.”
In 2023, TPWD also opened access sites on the Brazos River near Calvert and on the San Marcos River near Martindale.
River Access and Conservation Areas are currently funded by a combination of sources, including donations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, grant awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture – Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, as well as sales of the Texas Rivers Conservation License Plate.
BRAZOS RIVER SITES:
Fuller’s Folly River Ranch is the put-in point for a 4.1-mile float downstream to the Sandy Bottoms River Company.
Access point: 45 minutes from Fort Worth at 5751 Old Dennis Road near Weatherford.
Parking: Free
Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
Contact: reservations@fullersfolly.com (or at (682) 730-2405 as a backup). Call or email at least 24 hours in advance to ensure access.
Sandy Bottoms River Company has two new access points. The River Trail Camp access point is the takeout location for the 4.1-mile float from Fuller’s Folly River Ranch. The Chavez Trail access point is roughly 1.5 miles downstream from the River Trail Camp and features a small dock to launch paddle craft or to fish.
Access point: 7026 River Trail and 173 Chavez Trail near Weatherford.
Parking: Free
Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
Contact: Text (817) 980-2528 (or (254) 246-6934 as a backup) at least 24 hours in advance to ensure access.
Fishing opportunities: Largemouth, spotted and white bass, channel catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish.
COLORADO RIVER SITE:
Horseshoe is TPWD's newest site on the Colorado. The site is a take-out location for a 7.4-mile paddling trip from Big Webberville Park and a starting point for a 6.8-mile float downstream to the Utley boat ramp at FM 969. The immediate area around the river access point is restricted to loading and unloading watercraft.
Access points: 142 Frances Loop just off FM 969 and Howard Lane near Bastrop.
Parking: Free
Contact: Text (512) 970-9739 at least 24 hours in advance to ensure access; include vehicle make, model and license plate number.
Tips: The landowner requests that each person fill out a liability waiver form before accessing the property.
Fishing opportunities: Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass and channel catfish.
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