Below the Lake Whitney Dam the 36 mile run down to Cameron Park in Waco offers 6 access points, allowing trips of varying lengths to be taken. The river is all flatwater with no hazards, though one does have to be careful not to get run over by an airboat, many of which are present on this stretch, and they are loud, too! Strong headwinds can be a problem, especially at low water, so it is best to avoid the mid-summer months. Trees are abundant along this section of the river, and the scenery is a big improvement over some other sections. Gravel bars and sandbars are prolific, and sometimes you find them with the bottom of your boat, even when you are not looking for a place to stop. At low water you will have to walk across some of these obstacles to continue your trip downriver. Hydroelectric generation from releases at the Lake Whitney Dam provide good flows for trips on this section, especially in hot summer months when additional electricity is needed to power air conditioners in homes and businesses in the Hillsboro and Waco areas.
The river is generally clean and cool as the water leaves Lake Whitney, but it warms quickly just a few miles downriver. Fishing is generally good in this area, and especially when dam releases are not occurring. Natural springs, limestone bluffs and natural vegetation add to the attractiveness of this section where Dallas Down River Club holds its annual summer months moonlight paddle trips. Just above Cameron Park is the confluence of the Bosque River flowing into the Brazos from Lake Waco, where you can paddle about 4 miles up the river, then back into the main Brazos channel to the Cameron Park take-out.
Hill, Bosque and McLennan Counties in central Texas, between Hillsboro and Waco. Dallas and Austin are each less than 2 hours away to the north and south respectively.
Waco 30 miles; Dallas 80 miles; Austin 120 miles; San Antonio 200 miles; Houston 206 miles; Oklahoma City 270 miles; Little Rock 405 miles; Kansas City 585 miles; Albuquerque 985 miles; Phoenix 1,157 miles; Denver 1,411 miles; Salt Lake City 1,589 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken._
Very good to excellent - cool and clear coming off the bottom of Lake Whitney. This section is dependent upon local rainfall or dam releases at Lake Whitney for its flow. In summer months the river will be very low unless electricity is being generated at the dam, in which case you may not have to do much paddling to get downriver. The river runs deep when a dam release is occurring, and the current will be fast, so be careful and wear your PFD.
March through June and late-October through December usually provide the optimum seasons for this reach of the Brazos River, provided there is adequate local rainfall. Summer is the worst time on the Brazos. Expect hot temperatures from June through September, and possibly later. This IS Texas, ya'll! The stretch between FM 2114 at 8.4 miles and Reddell's Camp at 22.1 miles almost always has adequate water for a good trip, though headwinds may still interfere.
The primary hazards on the Brazos are heat, humidity, distance between access points, headwinds and low water. Usually, you get a combination of them on every trip. There are no rapids, waterfalls or other obstacles that pose danger to people, boats or gear. Snakes are almost always present, but pose no problems for boaters unless handled or stepped on.
Lake Whitney Dam at 0.0 miles; FM 2114 (at Dick's Place) at 8.4 miles (fee required); Spivey Crossing on FM 1304 at 10.4 miles (follow dirt road at the end of FM 1304); Reddell's Camp off FM 1858 at 22.1 miles, near Gholson; FM 3051 crossing at 34.0 miles; Cameron Park (on river right) or along Lake Brazos Drive (river left) at 36.0 miles.
Lake Whitney Recreational Area (817-694-3793); Public camping is available adjacent to the dam put-in, with RV hook-ups, restrooms, shelters and running water. There is at least one commercial campground located along this reach of the Brazos River.
Rentals and shuttles are available from at least one commercial outfitter located along this reach of the Brazos River, however private shuttles are not offered. For a small fee paddlers may leave vehiccles at the take-out, then run their own shuttles.
I have had some of my best and worst experiences on the Brazos River in the section between Lake Whitney and Waco. Summertime daylight paddling can be a grueling experience with low water and high headwinds, but the flow is great when electric generation is occurring at the Lake Whitney Dam. This is the section where DDRC has its moonlight paddles in June through September on the Saturday closest to the full moon.
Excellent gravel bars and sandbars are abundant for overnight camping along the river. The scenery is attractive, though not as spectacular as the top section around Possum Kingdom Lake, where the high bluffs overlook the river. There are places where you can rope swing or jump into the river (with adequate water depth) when you want to take a few minutes to play. This section is patrolled by Texas Parks and Wildlife officers on airboats, so be sure to have your PFDs in the boat (at least one per person, with everybody 12 years old or younger wearing theirs') and have no glass or polystyrene Styrofoam products on the river. WATCH OUT FOR AIRBOATS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT!
