Access Site
TX
Lower Madera Canyon Campground
Source: texas_parks_and_wildlife_department Updated 1 year ago
City: TX
County: Presidio
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 29.29206000, -103.92111000
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Rio Grande Dws Santa Elena Canyon, BBNP, TX
13.5 mi away
Rio Grande near Castolon, TX
16.3 mi away
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
II+
Rio Grande - 2. Colorado Canyon: Rancherias Canyon to Lajitas (21 miles)
6 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 200.00-10000.00 cfs
Rio Grande near Castolon, TX
Whitewater Runs on Rio Grande
23 runs (3 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
II+
This location is on this run
2. Colorado Canyon: Rancherias Canyon to Lajitas (21 miles)
21.2 mi
6 ft/mi
II(III)
Downstream from here (9.7 mi to put-in)
3. Santa Elena Canyon: Lajitas to Santa Elena Canyon River Access (20 miles)
20.6 mi
7 ft/mi
II-III
Upstream from here (9.8 mi from take-out)
1. Hoodoos: Redford to Colorado Canyon (15.75 miles)
16.0 mi
6 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
II
55 mi away
4. Mariscal Canyon: Talley to Solis Landing (10 miles)
10.2 mi
12 ft/mi
I-II
59 mi away
5. San Vicente & Hot Springs Canyon: Solis Landing to Rio Grande Village (19 miles)
19.4 mi
I-II
67 mi away
6. Rio Grande Village to La Linda (34.5 miles)
34.6 mi
4 ft/mi
II-III+
77 mi away
7. Lower Canyons: La Linda to Dryden Crossing (83.5 miles)
84.3 mi
5 ft/mi
III
469 mi away
08. Otowi Bridge to Cochiti Reservoir
22.3 mi
III
497 mi away
07. Quartzite River Access to County Line River Access
4.4 mi
12 ft/mi
II
498 mi away
06. Taos Junction Bridge to Quartzite River Access
6.6 mi
III-IV
502 mi away
05. John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge (Lower Taos Box)
15.0 mi
31 ft/mi
II-III
515 mi away
04. Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge
8.4 mi
12 ft/mi
V
522 mi away
03. Chiflo Campground to Little Arsenic Trail
7.8 mi
69 ft/mi
II-IV
528 mi away
02. Lee Trail to Chiflo Campground
9.9 mi
47 ft/mi
II-III
537 mi away
01. Lobatos Bridge(Colorado) to Lee Trail
24.0 mi
5 ft/mi
II
537 mi away
08. Lobatos Bridge to Lee Trail
21.0 mi
7 ft/mi
I-II
552 mi away
07. Lasauses to Lobatos Bridge
20.0 mi
3 ft/mi
II
567 mi away
06. Alamosa to Lasauses
20.1 mi
15 ft/mi
II
603 mi away
05. South Fork to Del Norte
20.9 mi
17 ft/mi
II-III+
608 mi away
04. Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork
11.4 mi
21 ft/mi
II-III
618 mi away
03. Creede to Wagon Wheel Gap
10.2 mi
II-III
623 mi away
02. Box Canyon to Creede
23.7 mi
24 ft/mi
III-IV
626 mi away
01. Box Canyon (CO)
8.1 mi
38 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Lower Madera Canyon Campground offers direct access to the Rio Grande in Presidio County, with a boat ramp and primitive camping facilities. This is one of the few accessible launch points along this stretch of the river, making it a practical base for kayakers and canoeists. The campground sits along FM 170 (River Road) with scenic canyon vistas and riparian habitat. Site 17 is reportedly closest to the boat ramp area, though access points are somewhat primitive.
The facility is a low-amenity, primitive campground suitable for self-sufficient paddlers and boaters. While camping sites cannot be reserved in advance (you select your site upon arrival), the well-maintained road access to the campground makes it more feasible for vehicles with trailers or gear-heavy setups compared to other area access points. Water-based activities including fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are the primary draws. Plan accordingly for minimal facilities and bring what you need for your paddling trip.
The facility is a low-amenity, primitive campground suitable for self-sufficient paddlers and boaters. While camping sites cannot be reserved in advance (you select your site upon arrival), the well-maintained road access to the campground makes it more feasible for vehicles with trailers or gear-heavy setups compared to other area access points. Water-based activities including fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are the primary draws. Plan accordingly for minimal facilities and bring what you need for your paddling trip.