The major hazards are as follows: Horseshoe Falls (about 1.5 miles below Canyon Dam) has been buried by the flood of 2002, and no longer poses a threat to boaters. The left bank is torn up badly, and many houses along the river are either gone or severely damaged. There is a small dam above the west crossing of FM 306 which can be run on the right or portaged and a small channel on the left which can be used to avoid the dam, but it is more of a nuisance than a real hazard. A rock ledge just above the east crossing of FM 306 (adjacent to Whitewater Sports) is best run along the left bank in the fast-moving water. There are a couple of small dams (Dam 2 and Dam 3) just below the east crossing of FM 306 which can be tricky if you are not prepared. Both dams produce strong hydraulic currents when the flow exceeds 350 cfs and can grab a boat and hold it (as I know from personal experience, having swam there in December!) Dam 2 can be run through a small slot to the left of center and Dam 3 has a narrow channel along the right bank that is generally safe for passage. Water below both dams is very shallow, and can damage canoes and kayaks, especially if you do not have adequate momentum to shoot through the drop. Life is short - paddle hard!

Dam 4, about 6 miles below Canyon Lake, is a small drop of about 3-4 feet, with rocks in the river immediately below the dam. You can definitely get wet at this drop, and the real danger is damage to boats, gear or bodies on those rocks. There are several natural places to run this dam as indicated by reading the water immediately below it. Avoid hitting those boulders if at all possible. Dead center is the preferred path at Dam 4. "S" Turn Rapid is just below Dam 4, and requires a quick 90 degree right turn down a fast channel of moving whitewater into another quick left turn of 90 degrees, with a real potential of swamping a canoe or raft if this rapid is not properly negotiated.

Devils Playground, at about 8.5 miles below Canyon Lake, is a fun rock garden rapid with haystacks at flows above 500 cfs. The biggest thrill is right down the middle, but the safe route is along the right bank near the shoreline. The water through Devil's Playground is usually fast, and exiting the Playground will require a right turn between stands of trees. Depending upon flow, check those exits carefully - some are easier to navigate than others due to the depth of water going through them. (THere is also an optionm of bypassing Devils Playground by taking teh right side channel at the split, providing there is adequate flow to support your craft.) Bad Rock Rapid is about a half mile below Devil's Playground, and is a huge boulder sitting directly in the middle of the river. If you manage to hit it, then you will know why it is called "Bad Rock". The rock is barely visible at flows above 400 cfs, so after exiting Devil's Playground it is generally better to paddle left or right of center. The low water bridge at Ingram Ranch, just below Bad Rock, is dangerous at high water levels.

"The Chute", at about 12.3 miles, is tricky but fun. In summer months it will be clogged with tubers, so exercise caution. The channel is self-evident. Paddle hard and avoid the rocks on either side. The big rapids are all between First Crossing and Gruene Crossing. At First Crossing are the piers of an old low water bridge. The second channel from the left is generally best for getting past first crossing. About 1/4 mile below First crossing is Hueco Springs Rapid, a solid Class III drop with a big sucker hole to the left and behind a huge boulder in the middle of the channel. The safe route is to the far left side, but the fun ride is right through the rapid just left of the rock. Canoes should have adequate flotation. Avoid hitting the big rock, and watch out for that hole! Next is Slumber Falls located about 1/2 mile below First Crossing. The fun run is to the far right, down a right turn drop of about 2 feet, followed by a hard left turn into a rock garden. At adequate water levels the Falls can be run near the center, but rocks and trees make the path tricky, so exercise proper caution. The water through Slumber Falls is generally fast moving, so be prepared to swim if you do not negotiate this one correctly.

Clutter and Rock Garden Rapid, about 2 miles below First Crossing, is very tricky. Enter on the far left, turn slightly right, and paddle like your life depends upon it because it does! The drop is several feet on a gradient, but there are two boulders in the middle of the channel which should be avoided at all costs. If you have to hit one of them, then hit the lower one dead center and catch air going over it! The river turns to the left after exiting Clutter and Rock. At 3.5 miles below First Crossing is Gruene Rapid, a rock garden leading to the Gruene Crossing low water bridge. It is a fast and fun rapid, but you need to avoid being swept under the bridge, especially at high water levels You can take out or portage along either bank, but the property is privately owned by outfitters, so fees may be required for taking out.

Immediately below Canyon Dam on river right at 0.0 miles; North FM 306 Crossing on river right at 3.0 miles; South FM 306 Crossing on river right at 4.0 miles; Whitewater Sports (at East FM 306 - fee required) on river left at 4.0 miles; River Valley/Rio Raft (at 4th Crossing - fee required) on river right at 5.6 miles; 3rd Crossing (fee required) on river left at 10.5 miles; any outfitters along The Chute area on river right (fee required); 2nd Crossing (fee required) on river left at 14.0 miles; 1st Crossing (fee required) on river left or right at 15.5 miles; Hueco Springs Campground (fee required) on river right at 15.8 miles; Gruene Crossing (fee may be required) on river right or left at 19.0 miles; Loop 337 Crossing (fee required) on river left at 20.0 miles; Cypress Bend Park on river right at about 22.0 miles.

Access is VERY limited at most crossings, and the availability of public parking is almost non-existent. Please be considerate of others when accessing the river, and always park your vehicles where they do not block river access for others. Never park on private property without securing permission from landowners. Avoid parking on public right-of-ways, as this will get your car towed and ticketed!

There are numerous commercial campgrounds available all along this reach of the Lower Guadalupe River. However, between June 1 and Labor Day advance reservations are strongly recommended. Conventional accommodations are also available in Sattler, Startzville and New Braunfels. Most of the campgrounds along this reach of the river do not allow private boats on their property.

There are many commercial outfitters located along the Lower Guadalupe River between Canyon Dam and New Braunfels. Most offer tube and raft rentals, though some offer canoe and/or kayak rentals, as well. Most outfitters on this reach of the river will not provide private boat shuttles.