River Trail

  River Trail Map 2020 Town Creek Riverside Nature Center Tranquility Island City Rainwater Harvesting Water Shed Aquatic Cypress Riparian Zone Wildlife Kerrville-Schreiner Park Riverside Nature Center BHML History Boardwalk Pavillion Louise Hays Park Lehmann-Monroe Park Lory Park Riverside Nature Center Trail Head G Street Trail Head Kerrville-Schreiner Park Trail Head Splash Park


Trail Regulations

  • Trail use during daylight hours only, dawn to dusk.
  • Stay on trail.
  • Motorized vehicles and equipment, including bikes, golf carts, utility carts, motorized hover boards, etc. are prohibited.
  • Motorized wheelchairs welcome.
  • Dogs are to be leashed at all times. Leashes must be kept short and pets controlled so as not to impede others.
  • Please clean up after your pets.
  • Never approach or feed a wild / feral animal.
  • No skateboards.
  • No smoking, including vaping and e-cigarettes.
  • Observe all signs and do not go around barricades.
  • All park rules and city ordinances apply. Additional rules may be enforced.

Trail Etiquette

  • Observe park and 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.
  • 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 trailhead.
  • 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.

Flood Closures

On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flood devastated our community and surrounding areas. For the safety of all residents and visitors, the following areas remain closed until further notice:

  • Guadalupe River access in Kerrville-Schreiner Park
  • All river parks, including: Knapp Park, and Guadalupe Park.
  • The bridge at Camp Meeting Creek crossing east of the Birkdale Trailhead is no longer in place. Consequently, the River Trail segment from the Birkdale Trailhead to the Kerrville-Schreiner Park Trailhead will remain closed for safety reasons.

We kindly ask everyone to respect these closures and remain patient as we work to restore our community. If you have questions regarding a reservation at Kerrville-Schreiner Park or any other park / facility, please do not hesitate to contact the Parks and Recreation Office at (830) 257-7300 or via e-mail at kerrpark@kerrvilletx.gov. 

Effective Dec. 22, 2025: Tranquility Island, Louise Hays Park, Cypress Park, Lowry Park,  and select segments of the Kerrville River Trail have reopened to the public. Public safety remains the city’s highest priority, and all reopened areas have been carefully evaluated for safety and accessibility. The following trail segments and areas are now accessible with limited amenities:

  • River Trail segment from Birkdale Trailhead (River Hills) to G Street Trailhead.
  • River Trail segment from Schreiner University Trailhead to G Street Trailhead.
  • River Trail segments from G Street Trailhead to the Dietert Center Trailhead.

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.

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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 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.