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River Trail
Trail Regulations:
• Trail use during daylight hours only, dawn to dusk.
• Stay on trail.
• Motorized vehicles in designated parking and roadways only.
• Dogs are to be leashed at all times, please clean up after your pets.
• Never approach a wild animal.
• Avoid poison ivy.
• Skateboards are prohibited.
Trail Etiquette:
• Observe Trail regulation and warning signs.
• Always stay to the right side of the trail, whether walking, running or biking.
• When approaching slower moving traffic with the intention of passing, let the slower trail users know you are behind them and intend to pass on their left.
• Never leave the trail unless inside one of the public parks - much of the trail is on private property and we don’t want trespassing to occur.
• Clean up after pet(s).
• Always carry a charged cell phone.
• Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are on the trail at all times in case you have to call for assistance or need to notify authorities about a situation - maps are located at each trail head and 1/2 mile trail markers are stamped on the trail surface.
• Be aware of weather conditions and do not put yourself or others in danger during inclement weather.
• Hydrate before any physical activity and check your bike before starting so you don’t have to be rescued by others.
Welcome to The Kerrville River Trail!
The River Trail has been a planned concept in Kerrville since the 1970's and we are proud to see it come to fruition.
The River Trail is a day use 10' wide walking and biking trail for public use, which is an integral part of the city's parks system. It is an approximate 6 mile long trail along the Guadalupe River, with trailheads located at Kerrville-Schreiner Park, G Street, Lehmann & Monroe Park, Louise Hays Park, Riverside Nature Center, Lowry Park, and the Dietert Center.
Boat and bicycle rentals are available at Louise Hays Park and Kerrville-Schreiner Park during peak seasons.
History
Plans to build a multi-purpose public-use river trail along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville have occurred since the 1970s. In 2002, voters approved $500,000 in bond funds for the River Trail project, which was used to complete master planning and initiate the first phase. Master planning for the River Trail's full length (Kerrville-Schreiner Park to Spur 98 Bridge) was completed in 2009.
The Kerrville City Council and the Kerrville Economic Improvement Corporation (EIC) have been working together to fund a variety of quality-of-life projects to include this addition to the city's park system and thus funded $8 million in parks and river trail improvements. Debt service for the bond funds was structured so that the impact on the EIC revenues would be minimal.
In 2011, the EIC and City Council approved the aforementioned $6 million for the development of the River Trail and $2 million for the Louise Hays Park and Lehmann-Monroe Park improvements, funded solely from the 4B economic development sales tax revenues.
The first segment of the Kerrville River Trail, the Riverside Nature Center to Tranquility Island segment, was dedicated on December 15, 2012. The second segment of the trail, the Louise Hays Park to Kerrville-Schreiner Park segment, was dedicated in conjunction with the Louise Hays Park improvements on June 13, 2015. The third segment of the trail, the Lowry Park segment, was dedicated on May 27, 2016. On November 30, 2018, the dedication of the Lowry Park to Dietert Center segment brought a close to the first phase and five miles of the River Trail project. Phase two began with the expansion to Schreiner University from the G Street Trailhead, which was dedicated on September 4, 2020.
River Trail Segments
Riverside Nature Center to Louise Hays Park
This first segment of the River Trail extends 0.7 miles from the Riverside Nature Center to Tranquility Island at Louise Hays Park. You can access this segment of the trail from the Riverside Nature Center, located at 150 Francisco Lemos Street, or through Louise Hays Park.
Riverside Nature Center to Lowry Park
This 0.2-mile segment of the trail connects the Riverside Nature Center to Lowry Park. The trailhead for this beautiful segment is located at Lowry Park.
Louise Hays Park to G Street
This segment of the River Trail is a little over 1 mile. It connects Louise Hays Park to G Street. There are three trailheads for this segment of the trail: one at Lehmann-Monroe Park, one at the west end of the park, and one at G Street (near the bridge).
G Street to Kerrville-Schreiner Park
This segment of the River Trail is just a little over 2 miles. It connects G Street to Kerrville-Schreiner Park. There are two trailheads for this segment of the trail, one at G Street (near the bridge) and one at Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Please note that day-use fees apply for park entry.
Lowry Park to the Dietert Center
This segment of the River Trail is approximately 0.5 miles long, connecting Lowry Trailhead to the Dietert Center Trailhead.
G Street to Schreiner University
This new 1-mile-long segment is now complete. Connecting G Street Trailhead to the new Schreiner University Trailhead - this segment is one of the most beautiful segments yet! Please note that a portion of the trail and the Schreiner University Trailhead is currently closed to the public.
Trail Closures:
Schreiner University Trailhead will be closed Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
Schreiner University will be closing the gate to access the trailhead parking area for their Annual Texas Heritage Days event from sunset on Thursday, Sept. 14th, and will reopen late afternoon on Sept. 15th.
For more information on the closure, please contact the Parks & Recreation Park Office at 830-257-7300. Thank you.