The Medina River

Check the live USGS gauge at the top of this page (station 08178880, Medina at Bandera, at the Highway 173 bridge). The Medina is rain- and spring-fed rather than purely spring-fed, so it can run low in a dry late summer and rise quickly after rain — the live reading is the honest answer on any given day. Is the Medina good for swimming and tubing? Yes — the stretches around Bandera and Medina are classic Hill Country swimming and tubing water: clear, green, and lined with old cypress. Bandera City Park and English Crossing are well-known access points. Flow matters here, so check the gauge before you plan a float. Where is the Medina River? It runs through the western Hill Country past the

Yes — the stretches around Bandera and Medina are classic Hill Country swimming and tubing water: clear, green, and lined with old cypress. Bandera City Park and English Crossing are well-known access points. Flow matters here, so check the gauge before you plan a float. Where is the Medina River? It runs through the western Hill Country past the town of Medina and through Bandera — the Cowboy Capital of the World — with Medina Lake on its course downstream. The easiest places to know it are the town of Medina, Bandera, and the Highway 173 crossing where the gauge sits. Is the Medina prone to flooding? Yes — Bandera County has a real flash-flood history, with major floods in 1978, 2002, and

It runs through the western Hill Country past the town of Medina and through Bandera — the Cowboy Capital of the World — with Medina Lake on its course downstream. The easiest places to know it are the town of Medina, Bandera, and the Highway 173 crossing where the gauge sits. Is the Medina prone to flooding? Yes — Bandera County has a real flash-flood history, with major floods in 1978, 2002, and 2015, which is exactly why there's a dedicated flood-warning gauge here. The river can rise fast and hard after heavy rain. Always check the live gauge, and never cross a flooded low-water crossing on foot or in a vehicle. Where should I stay on the Medina River? Bandera and Medina are both on the

Yes — Bandera County has a real flash-flood history, with major floods in 1978, 2002, and 2015, which is exactly why there's a dedicated flood-warning gauge here. The river can rise fast and hard after heavy rain. Always check the live gauge, and never cross a flooded low-water crossing on foot or in a vehicle. Where should I stay on the Medina River? Bandera and Medina are both on the river, and both are Backroads Hill Country territory — cabins and vacation rentals are the local way to stay, many within reach of the water. See the options on the Bandera cabins page linked below. When is the best time to visit the Medina? Late spring and early summer usually bring the best flow for swimming

Bandera and Medina are both on the river, and both are Backroads Hill Country territory — cabins and vacation rentals are the local way to stay, many within reach of the water. See the options on the Bandera cabins page linked below. When is the best time to visit the Medina? Late spring and early summer usually bring the best flow for swimming and floating; fall is quieter and the cypress turn rust-gold along the banks. Because the river is rain-driven, the live gauge is the best guide to any specific week.

Late spring and early summer usually bring the best flow for swimming and floating; fall is quieter and the cypress turn rust-gold along the banks. Because the river is rain-driven, the live gauge is the best guide to any specific week.