If you drive west from Kerrville on Highway 39, the air changes. It gets cooler, smells a bit more like cedar and damp limestone, and the cell service starts to get real spotty. You're heading toward Hunt. This isn't the manicured, tourist-heavy version of the Texas Hill Country you find in Fredericksburg or New Braunfels. This is where the North and South forks of the Guadalupe River actually meet. It’s rugged. It's quiet.
Honestly, the Guadalupe River in Hunt Texas is kind of a secret that locals try to keep to themselves, even though the summer camps have been here for a century.
Most people think of the Guadalupe as a place for thousands of college kids to drink beer while floating in inner tubes. That’s the New Braunfels experience. Hunt is different. Here, the river is narrower, the cypress trees are gargantuan—their roots knobby and ancient—and the water has this clear, emerald tint that feels almost prehistoric. It’s where you go to actually hear the wind in the pecans rather than a Bluetooth speaker three tubes over.
The Geography of the Forks
You’ve got to understand the layout to really appreciate it. Hunt is basically the epicenter of the upper Guadalupe. The North Fork and the South Fork converge right near the heart of town.
The North Fork follows Highway 1340. It’s winding and dramatic. If you drive far enough, you hit Stonehenge II—a weird, scaled-down replica of the original—which is worth a five-minute stop just for the photos. The South Fork runs along Highway 39. This stretch is iconic. It’s lined with some of the most expensive, storied ranch land in the state, yet it feels completely unpretentious.
Between these two forks, the water is generally shallower and more constant than the downstream sections. Because it’s so close to the headwaters, the water is often cleaner. You aren't dealing with the runoff of several major cities yet. It’s just spring-fed goodness coming straight out of the Edwards Aquifer.
Why the "Low Water Crossing" Matters
In Hunt, the river isn't just something you look at; it's something you drive through. The low-water crossings are the lifeblood of the area. When the rains come—and in Texas, they come fast—the Guadalupe can turn from a trickling creek to a raging wall of water in hours. Locals know the gauges by heart.
The Schumacher Crossing is probably the most famous spot. It’s gorgeous. You have these small, natural waterfalls and deep pockets of water perfect for a quick dip. It’s public access, which is a rarity in a state where 95% of the land is privately owned. You’ll see families perched on lawn chairs right in the middle of the riverbed, ankles submerged, just watching the day go by.
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Summer Camps and the "Hunt Vibe"
You can't talk about the Guadalupe River in Hunt Texas without mentioning the camps. Camp Stewart, Heart O' the Hills, Waldemar—these places are institutions. For many Texans, "Hunt" is synonymous with childhood.
This creates a weird, nostalgic bubble. The town doesn't change much because the people who grew up coming here don't want it to change. They want the Hunt Store to sell the same burgers. They want the river to look the same as it did in 1954.
The Hunt Store is the hub. If you need a gallon of milk, a guitar string, or a decent steak, that’s where you go. It’s one of those places where a billionaire ranch owner in dusty Wranglers sits at a picnic table next to a college kid working as a counselor for the summer. There’s zero ego.
The Reality of Private Property
Here is the thing most visitors get wrong: almost all the riverbank is private.
If you just pull over on the side of Highway 39 and try to picnic on a grassy bank, you’re likely trespassing. The Guadalupe is a "navigable stream," which means you can be in the water or on the gravel bar, but the moment you step up onto the dirt, you're on someone's land.
- Public Access Points: Schumacher Crossing, the bridge at the Hunt Store, and several small pull-offs along 1340.
- The "River Road" Etiquette: Don't park where there's a "No Parking" sign. The local sheriffs don't play around, and towing is a common fate for those who block ranch gates.
- Kayaking: It’s great, but check the CFS (cubic feet per second) levels. If it’s under 50 CFS, you’ll be dragging your boat over rocks more than paddling.
Seasonal Shifts: When to Go
Summer is the obvious choice, but it’s crowded. Well, "Hunt crowded," which means there are more than ten people at the store at once.
Fall is secretly the best time. The cypress trees turn a rusty, burnt orange that reflects off the green water. The morning mist on the Guadalupe River in Hunt Texas during October is something you have to see to believe. It feels like a scene from a movie.
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Spring is gamble-heavy. You might get perfect 75-degree weather, or you might get a massive thunderstorm that turns the river chocolate milk brown and pushes it over the banks. If you're coming for the fishing—mostly Guadalupe bass and perch—spring is your window.
The Water Quality and Conservation
People worry about the river drying up. It’s a valid fear. During the droughts of the last few years, the upper Guadalupe has struggled.
Conservation groups like the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) and local land trusts work hard to manage the flow. The river isn't just for swimming; it’s a massive ecosystem. You’ll see blue herons, snapping turtles the size of manhole covers, and the occasional water moccasin.
Speaking of snakes—yeah, they’re there. It’s the river. Most of the time, they want nothing to do with you. If you see a snake swimming, give it a wide berth. It’s likely a harmless water snake, but why take the chance?
Fishing the Upper Guadalupe
If you're an angler, bring a fly rod. The Guadalupe Bass is the state fish of Texas, and they love the fast-moving water near the ripples in Hunt. They aren't huge, but they fight like crazy.
Use small poppers or wooly buggers. The clarity of the water means the fish can see you from a mile away. You have to be stealthy. Wade slowly. Wear polarized sunglasses so you can see the structure under the water. The deep holes under the cypress roots are where the big ones hide.
Real Estate and the "Hunt Look"
The houses along the river are fascinating. You’ll see tiny, 1920s stone cabins that look like they belong in a fairy tale sitting right next to multi-million dollar glass-and-steel modern compounds.
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There is a specific "Hunt style"—lots of native limestone, cedar posts, and massive screened-in porches. Because the river is the draw, almost every house is oriented toward the water.
If you're looking to stay, Airbnbs are becoming more common, but they fill up months in advance for the summer season. Most people who own here have had the property in their family for generations. It’s a "sticky" place; once people get a taste of the river life, they don't leave.
How to Do Hunt Right
- Stock up in Kerrville. Hunt has the store, but for a full week of groceries, hit the HEB in Kerrville before you head out.
- Respect the "No Glass" rule. It’s common sense, but glass and river rocks are a terrible mix.
- Drive slow. Deer are everywhere. Not just at night—noon, 3:00 PM, whenever. They own the roads.
- Put the phone away. You probably won't have a signal anyway. Embrace it.
The Future of the River
There is a constant tension between development and preservation. As Austin and San Antonio expand, more people are looking for a "piece of the river."
The challenge for the Guadalupe River in Hunt Texas is maintaining that rugged, isolated feel while handling the influx of visitors. So far, the town has done a pretty good job. There are no stoplights. No fast-food chains. Just the river, the trees, and the low-water crossings.
It’s a place that demands you slow down. You can't rush a river, and you certainly can't rush Hunt.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head out, check the real-time flow rates on the USGS Water Data site for the Guadalupe River at Hunt. If the flow is between 100 and 300 CFS, it's perfect for paddling. If you're planning to swim at Schumacher Crossing, arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends to snag a spot. Pack a pair of sturdy water shoes—the limestone rocks are slicker than they look and will chew up your feet if you're barefoot. Finally, download your maps for offline use; once you pass the Crider’s Rodeo sign, your GPS is likely going to quit on you.