Live Conditions
Frio Rv at Concan · USGS 08195000
Flow
— cfs
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Gauge Ht.
— ft
Water Temp
—°F
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Pulling current readings from USGS gauge 08195000…
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Frio River Scout
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Common Frio questions:
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The river by section
Not all of the Frio is floatable.
The Frio runs from the upper canyons near Leakey, through the Garner State Park stretch (the famous one), then south past Concan into ranch country. Four distinct stretches, four different reasons to come.
Headwaters · Above Leakey
Not for tubing
Small, intermittent, beautiful. Floats only in the highest water years. Skip this stretch unless you're scouting — it's not what people mean when they say "the Frio."
Garner State Park stretch
The famous one
The cypress-lined section everyone has seen photos of. Public access through Garner ($10/vehicle), shallow enough for kids on the flats, cypress shade from the bank. The jukebox dance at the pavilion runs nightly Memorial Day through Labor Day, then weekends through October. This is the float for first-timers.
Concan to Highway 127
Outfitter row
Where most commercial tubing happens. Shuttle services, tube rentals, the works. Bigger crowds on holiday weekends — go midweek if you want quiet. Several private launch points along here, most tied to outfitters or cabins.
Below Concan · Ranch country
Private access
Mostly private land below Highway 127. Beautiful, quiet, and only floatable if you're staying at a property with river access. Several of our cabins fit. South of Knippa, the river becomes more agricultural and tubing falls off entirely.
Tubing & access
Outfitters & shuttle services
The Concan-area outfitters handle tube rentals, shuttle drops, and parking. Most are seasonal — call before you drive in spring and fall.
Andy's Frio River Outfitters
Concan
Tube and kayak rentals, shuttle service, parking. Long-running, well-known. Open seasonally — generally Memorial Day through Labor Day, plus shoulder weekends.
House Pasture Camp
Concan
Cabin rentals plus river access. Family-operated. The cabins are the draw — river access is included for guests, day-use available when not full.
Frio Country Resort
Concan
Larger property with cabins, RV sites, dining, river access, and on-property activities. Good for groups that want everything on one property without a drive in.
More outfitters list when the platform goes live. Outfitters: add your listing →
★ Where to Stay
Frio-area vacation rentals, managed by Backroads Hill Country
A range of vacation rentals across Leakey and Concan — from riverside cabins to large private homes, many with direct or walking-distance Frio access. Pet-friendly options available. Browse what's currently available in each town:
On the water & off
Things to do on the Frio
Tubing
The headline activity. Best between 80–300 cfs.
Garner Jukebox Dance
Nightly under the pavilion, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Swimming holes
Old Baldy area in Garner has the deepest holes.
Hiking
Old Baldy summit for sunrise. Easy access from the park.
Stargazing
Dark skies once you're past Concan. Cabins help.
Kayaking
Higher water sections. Outfitters rent.
When to come
The Frio's calendar
The Frio peaks with spring rain and the summer crowds. October and early November can be the sleeper season — water's lower, but it's quiet, cool, and the cabins are easier to book.
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Peak season · outfitters open
Shoulder · check before you go
Off-season · mostly closed
Common questions
Frequently asked
Is the Frio floatable right now?
Check the live conditions panel at the top of the page — it pulls the current USGS gauge reading and translates it into plain English. Generally floatable between 80–300 cfs. Below that, you'll be walking shallow sections. Above that, outfitters may close.
How cold is the water?
The Frio earned its name. Water temps run 60–72°F most of the year, even in August. That's the appeal in summer and the catch in spring and fall — bring a wetsuit shirt or skip the float on chilly days.
Are coolers and glass allowed?
Glass is prohibited in Garner State Park and on most outfitter-run sections. Coolers are usually allowed but must be tied to your tube. Each outfitter has its own rules — confirm with them when you reserve.
How far in advance should I book?
Garner State Park cabins: six months ahead for summer weekends, often within minutes of release. Private cabins: 2–3 months for July/August, 2–4 weeks for shoulder season. The peak weekends sell out faster every year.
Is the Frio kid-friendly?
Yes — the Garner section is shallow and slow, with plenty of cypress shade. Most outfitters rent toddler-friendly tubes. Life jackets are recommended at any age and often required for under-12s.
What's the closest town to fly into?
San Antonio (SAT) is the main option — about two hours to Concan. Rent a car. There's no Uber out there, and the gas stations close earlier than you'd think.
Explore the network
Planning more than the Frio? HillCountry.ai is the bigger map. When you're ready to find swimming holes, line up an outfitter, sort out where to stay in Concan, or figure out what's worth the drive across the rest of the Hill Country — it's all connected through one place. This page is the Frio. That's everything around it.
Part of the HillCountry.ai network
friotexas.ai · Live Frio River conditions, cabins, and local knowledge
Powered by Backroads Hill Country · 88 active rentals · Local experts since 2001
Live data via USGS Water Services (free, public, no account required)
Powered by Backroads Hill Country · 88 active rentals · Local experts since 2001
Live data via USGS Water Services (free, public, no account required)