Park Services

Paddling Trail Partnership Program

The Paddling Trail Partnership Program is an effort by SARA’s Park Services Department to partner with local communities to establish paddling trails and accompanying access points along the San Antonio River and its tributaries.

SARA can help communities in the planning, development, operation, and promotion of paddling trails throughout the San Antonio River Basin. Technical assistance provided to communities that partner with SARA includes:

• Conceptual site planning and development of funding plans
• Negotiation of Right-of-Way (ROW) agreements with TxDOT and other necessary governmental entities to obtain river access
• Assistance in the acquisition of the official Texas State Paddling Trail designation from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Development of river access site improvements such as signage, parking, landing/launch areas and boat belay poles
• Maintenance of river access sites i.e. mowing, litter collection
• Assistance with non-profit organizational development and grant writing

Goliad Paddling Trail

The Goliad Paddling Trail was officially launched April 25, 2007 and is a ~6.6 mile trip that ends at Goliad State Park. It is the first state paddling trail anchored by a state park. The trail was made possible by a partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the San Antonio River Authority, TxDOT, Goliad County and the citizen nonprofit group Canoe Trail Goliad.

Working with SARA, Canoe Trail Goliad has completed a Phased Development Plan for future access sites and extensions of the Goliad Paddling Trail along the San Antonio River in Goliad County. View the Canoe Trail Goliad Phased Development Plan.

Future Trails

For more information on establishing a paddling trail in your community in partnership with the San Antonio River Authority, contact Dale Bransford, Park Services Manager.