SLRSPsouthllano river

Tubing the South Llano River in Junction. (Photo by Chase Fountain, TPWD)

The popular Llano River is a state-owned, navigable waterway over 100 miles long, but much of its riverfront property remains in private hands, creating accessibility challenges for anglers and paddlers who want to tackle its meandering course. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department just made getting onto the river a little easier with the introduction of four new public-access points, with a fifth on the way, all available for fishing, floating, canoeing and kayaking.

Changes to Llano River access:

  • Two sites, Castell Crossing and HR Seventh Heaven near Llano, opened Dec. 1.
  • Pete’s Pecan Patch near Junction opened Jan. 1.
  • A South Llano River site at County Road 150 has provided public access since September 2016.
  • A new site near Mason is scheduled to open March 1.

More information on Llano River launch points:

If you haven’t already, check out the paddler’s launch and bank fishing along the South Llano River at County Road 150. Like all of these sites, access is available from 30 minutes before sunup to 30 minutes after sundown. Although overnight camping is not allowed here, the Bon Ton Roulet Cabins offer nearby accommodations. Head south on US 377 from Junction for 10 miles and turn left onto County Road 150. In 0.2 miles the parking area will be on the right. The launch is approximately 7.7 miles upstream from South Llano State Park where paddlers and floaters may take out. Prepare for 3 to 5 hours of float time.

Downriver at Pete’s Pecan Patch, picnic beneath the shade of an old pecan grove. This day-use-only area is located along Kimble County (KC) Road 3121. From Junction, take US 377 west for 7.1 miles. Turn right onto KC 312, continue for 1.6 miles then turn right onto KC 3121. Continue approximately a half mile to Pete’s Pecan Patch at the end of KC 3121. Follow the access signs (left of the big tree and onto a dirt road) to the river. Put in here for 7.1 miles of paddling downstream to Grobe Crossing at KC-314 or tackle the 12.4 miles to Yate’s Crossing at State Highway 385.

Castell Crossing, a favorite river ford in the historic community of Castell, features bank fishing and a paddler’s launch. Just across the river, Castell offers rental cabins and campgrounds. From Llano, travel west on Texas 29 for 17.2 miles before turning left onto FM 2768. In 2.4 miles, at the intersection with CR 104, turn left to stay on FM 2768. The Castell Crossing access is on the right side of FM 2768 before you cross the river. At this point, you will be 4.8 river miles upstream of Schneider Slab Road, also known as HR Seventh Heaven.

At Seventh Heaven, paddlers and anglers may park and take in/out their canoes and kayaks. From Llano, take Ranch Rd 152/West Main Street west for 13.5 miles, then turn right onto CR-103 (Schneider Slab Road). Continue for 0.3 miles to the access site on the left side of CR 103 before the river crossing. Once through the gate, continue to the parking area.

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