04-23 | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Launches New Paddling Trail in Bay City

April 23, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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BAY CITY – On April 25, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will officially launch its 91st paddling trail at Riverside Park in Bay City.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening event, Rally on the River, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday to christen the new Riverside Rally Loop Paddling Trail. The paddling trail delivers a designated, mapped route that is perfect for kayaks and canoes.

“TPWD is excited about the addition of the Riverside Rally Loop Paddling Trail at Riverside Park,” shared Holly Grand, Texas Paddling Trails coastal team lead. “This section of the Colorado River is quiet and wildlife is abundant, making it a great stop for anglers, birders and outdoor enthusiasts.”

The seven-mile round-trip loop trail launches at Riverside Park and heads upriver toward the LCRA Dam, offering scenic views and a unique way to explore the natural beauty of the Colorado River. Since this is a loop trail, paddlers can elect to take a shorter route if they prefer a more leisurely adventure.

Paddlers will enjoy the gentle flow of this stretch of river that includes colorful river-cut cliffs, sandbars, stretches shaded by live oaks, and coastal plain plants, providing the potential to observe wading birds, bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, songbirds, and other riverside wildlife. For kayak anglers, the trail provides excellent opportunities to reel in catfish, alligator gar, spotted seatrout and red drum.

The trail was made possible through a partnership between TPWD, Bay City Parks and Recreation and Visit Bay City. Additional information on the new trail can be found on the Riverside Rally Loop Paddling Trail website.

The Texas Paddling Trails program helps promote habitat conservation through sustainable economic development, while providing additional recreational opportunities to the public. To learn more, visit the Texas Paddling Trails website.