Very nice park but kinda small. Love the clean water and underwater vegetation. Fall or spring is great time to visit. Has free parking which is cool.

This is a very nice park in San Marcos if you’re looking for a good place where to swim. I loved the rapids, it was so much fun. The people there were very cool and friendly. I am a Nature lover, so I will always enjoy anything thats related to it. The place is very well taken care of, no tubes rental available, pets are welcome and remember if your feeling sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. Here are some of pictures I took. Enjoy!

Our time there was quiet and peaceful. Its pet friendly, and we saw many dogs with their owners on leashes. The park has a river with rapids. The area is really big, and walking there is very peaceful.

I love this place so much it really is like home to me and if nothing else in this world makes me feel at peace its going here and enjoying how beautiful, tranquil and truly serene the environment is. Thank you Hays county wildlife department for preserving the beauty and keeping the river clean and Free of the scum and trash in this world. please dont ever stop caring for this part of San Marcos, i cant tell you how many times its existence has stopped me from killing myself, or ruining things that dont need ruined, and, for as silly as that sounds, I mean it wholeheartedly. It reminds me of how happy I am and can be when I am alone, and how I should never let anybodys negativity or ill will bring me down or turn me into somebody Im not. Soul cleansing, I guess you could say..

It has improved since the 80s and 90s. Everyone kept their distance so that was a plus. No trash along the walkway. Overall a great experience.

I raised my kids playing in this river. Now my grandchildren play here. The clearest cool clean water. Something for everyone. From infants and up. You havent been to central Texas if you didnt type or swim this river. Kayaking is great here

Park is still under some substantial upgrades, so some areas are fenced off, but whats open is very nice! Parking is an issue, but on street parking helps a lot. Definitely going again.

Love coming here! It’s free! You can rent gear or bring your own floatsI would recommend bringing kids with life jackets as the river does pull you down the stream. Sometimes the river is stronger than other days.Lots of fun to come down the medium water falls!Free parking too!

It was a great visit, except there are few areas safe enough for my toddler to swim in. Its not deep, its just some of the larger rocks are sharp. The park was closed but the river was still accessible

Its free, parking can be far if you have to park in the street but again its free. Very nice for older kids that know how to swim. Some areas can be deep and the current can be fast on the drop. Do not recommend for smaller kids. The water is nice and cold for hot summers in texas.

Very nice. Will be a lot nicer when construction is complete and you can walk/bike continously along the river.

Rio Vista Park in San Marcos, Tx. This park is a great place to picnic, relax on your tube, float the rapids if you choose or just sit and people watch, either way you will enjoy yourself.Happy Summer!

A beautiful park.

Parking is a mess. Crowded in some spots. But really nice. Beautiful. Had fun! Visitors are friendly. Great for the family.

Beautiful place we always have a blast here the water is so cold

Beautiful whitewater park...didnt used it...just watched

Great on a sunny day, water is freezing cold.I would definitely recommend anyone coming to this river, but I will say come between times where kids are in school and weekdays for a better experience.

SMTX has made strides to improve the Rio vista, and is a staple of the humdrum life that are San marcosians

They keep it real clean. Hard working crews, and it really serves the community. Thanks for the port a potties and hand washing stations.

Amazing. Love the float. Amazing workers. My first trip and the bestest.

Very beautiful place and it’s freeee!!! Lot better then the river

Get ready for the time of your life. You will definitely come back again. It’s a college town so you expect a lot of young people here. There are; but, even more families are here as well. People start setting up very early just to enjoy and make memories here. You will not be disappointed. It’s so nice that we drove a 5 hour round trip the following weekend so that one of our sons and his family could enjoy it too.

Nature at its best. Lots of places to set up for a fun day. Security is on site. Lots of elevation changes and facilities. The water is always nice and clean, relatively speaking. You love outside and being in the water then give it a visit. Pets are welcomed as well. The biggest problem? Parking. It sucks. As of this posting, the childrens park play area is closed; refurbishment.

Awesome place, crowded but it worth it the trip from Houston. You dont pay for parking or to enter. You could bring your own tube, if not it cost $14.

Beautiful but always crowded so that kinda ruins the scenery...

The water was cold and nice. The only thing that made the experience worth 3 stars is all the weed debris in the water. It seems whoever trimmed the park the in the tall weeds into the water. Very annoying. It was my 1st experience in the San Marcos River.

If you like trash everywhere, tons of people, the smell of weed and swimming with booze, than this is the place for you. I prefer a much more quieter, cleaner scene. San Marcos is just not the place I call fun. Sorry guys.

Refreshing and fun locale with some class 2 rapids to float down or even practice kayaking (be careful for the crowds)

Best warer park so far

Great experience the river dont play even if you know how to swim. Liked how cops regularly check up on the park

Fun and free. Bring your own floats and wear life vests. Dogs are welcome. No alcohol is allowed.

I love this place !!! Parking can be hard at times but well worth a short walk from the ball fields. All kinds of people and dogs around everyone gets along. If you come to the San Marcos area you must visit.

Beautiful hangout spot

It was beautifulAwsome !!!

Was a new place to visit so cool to spend day w family and friends be aware and ready for cold water and just in case in you have life jackets takeem w you

This section of the river is a great kayaking spot.

I ALWAYS HAVE FUN coming back to this river!!! Respectful people, Definitely a Family Fun Atmosphere and who can beat the water in this heat!!!! Stop by, Take a Dip, meet up with friends or meet new ones, The Fun never ends!!!Every time Im back in southern Texas, This is where I am!!!

Parking is always a nightmare. But other than that, the tennis courts were not crowded or trashed. If you are wanting to just have some outdoor fun, there is some shade but you need to know there is no access to water fountains and the hours are restricted right now.

This is a fun park to finish a family river float. We usually start by dropping everyone off by the Lions tube rental, where they walk up to Sewell Park. I drive the car over to Rio Vista and walk/jog up to Sewell to join the rest of the family. It takes about 40 minutes to float back down to Rio Vista, where we finish the day near the rapids.

Plenty of parking and nice little park. i got in my kayak here and kayaked down the river.

Good place for tubing and family fun. Parking is very limited right now because of all the park construction. So street parking only.

Nice place to spend a day. Bring your own tube or rent one. Gets crowded at times

Very beautiful park to come visit to have fun and relax.

Get their early for parking..water is cold.. and the best part its free ..

Its BEAUTIFUL however there was tooooo many ppl. No social distancing at all we left after about 2 hours wish we couldve enjoyed it more.

One of my favorite places in the world. Only one reason I give it a low rating. It is one of the many sections of the river in San Marcos that fall into no alcohol areas. That is unless of course you pay for a tube. There should be no pay to drink. There should be no reason for the locals to have their freedoms stepped on while college students can barely walk after a 45 minute float.

A VERY beautiful park with gorgeous water falls you can actually swim in and see the bottom. We will be back Texas from VA just to bring our entire family to enjoy the park like My boyfriend and I did when we were there for a concert nearby.

Rio vista is so much fun! Specially if you go down the rapids with your tube.

What can I say, its a great park for big kids too! Very, VERY handicap accessible.. although one would need to ask about a key to unlock the swing designed for motorized wheelchairs.Areas are respectively split up by age group with only one exit and entrance to each zone so the kiddos are easier to keep an eye on.The area for the youngest ones has an amazing merry-go-round thats sunk into the floor so its much safer than the traditional style.Definitely one of my favorites playscape parks, it was built by a professional company based in Ithaca, New York so you know the city paid a pretty penny to get the absolute best.I believe that may be due to the fact that a huge oak tree on the center of it all is dedicated to an city official (I think) that mustve made one helluva impact on San Marcos.

Its very nice &clear

Something for pretty much all age ranges. My older boys played basketball and my littles played on the amazing park

Besides always busting myself up on the rocks I love going tubing.

Went on a colder day. Still a fun park to explore. Walked out to the island and enjoyed the tree roots twisting into a artful sight. Water was beautifully clear. Bathrooms were clean.

Beautiful Place where you could be in direct contact with the nature.

Perfect place to go for fun

Im in love with this park. The river of course is absolutely gorgeous and the park itself has a centering energy that allows my body to simply relax. Theres quite a few spots along the river if youre looking for some privacy, or even an open area to hang with friends. I personally like to post up my hammock and read! Enjoy

My first time here water was crystal perfect if you love tubbing

Best place to go tubing. Dont forget to hold on to your glasses and hat when going over the falls

I absolutely love going to this river with my friends. I live in Houston and we dont have anything like this and our area, so this was a real treat for us. The waterfall was my personal favorite point of the day, but do be careful on ahead because it is not for anyone who would not consider themselves a strong swimmer.

Great place for outdoor activity

So beautiful. Favorite place to go and swim or go down the rapids on a tube or not.

Nice picnic pavilion. They no longer provide BBQ pits. The water is beautiful. You can fish, swim, tube, or kayak. But gets pretty crowded with college kids.

Great place for families in San Marcos. Walking trails, playground, swimming, pavilions.

Stunning, super chill and easy spot to float. I love every minute that I’m here

Was amazing !!!! My family and I we enjoyed. .... the water is so good

Beautiful walk near the river

Beautiful. Ive always loved coming here and just listening to the water. Definitely a place you must see when you visit San Marcos. ️

If you like the out doors with year round cold water river than these is the place. The water is always cold, you can cruise down the river on your float while you enjoy a cold one. And also enjoy the rapids. An advise for everyone do not bring tables or charcoal BBQ pits not allowed anywhere in the park propane fueled are allowed.

Beautiful park and the water is super cold but one gets used to it. Lot of people keeps saying it gets crowded and yes there are many people but not where its uncomfortable. The cool thing about rio vista is that you dont have to set up near the main area to have a good time. if you walk a little to the left or park near the childrens park you get a nice private area where there arent many people. Make sure you read the rules on what you can and can not do, for example you cant take those foldable tables nor start a fire with charcoal. Inform your self to avoid any problems. Over all great place to go chill, tube down the river or just swim along it.

Summer in texas, requires neck deep insertion in cool water

We love this place.

Lobed it. Water was ice cold and we were able to start the pit and swim for a while

Nice and cold water

Absolutely beautiful park.

My favorite place in the summer to be!

Gorgeous and it appears they keep it clean

It was incredible @ the water today! HAPPY NEW YEAR AUSTIN TX!

A beautiful park that some consider San Marcos crown jewel. If youre new to the area and youre looking to explore the best of what San Marcos has to offer, this should be one of your first stops.

Lots of fun. We rented kayaks and went down the river in February. These water was suprisingly pleasant. Would do it again for sure.

Nice place to have some fun time clean water

Found a bit chaotic, over crowded. Take enough water and other drinks as nothing available there. Most important, use life jackets if you want to go into the waters. Rapids could pull you in, be carefull

We had a good time there felt so relaxed

Such a peaceful place to visit. Beautiful clear water and amazing scenery. When i have people come from it off town this is the first place i take them.

It a very nice park

Beautiful place for family trips!

Always a fun place to encounter The San Marcos River

I loved the covered patio! It has a nice breeze that blows through there!

Lots of people that can be annoying is the only reason I dont give it 5 stars.

Beautiful outdoor park for families and pets and even for photographers. The only difficult thing for me is parking, every time I’ve visited is full. But other than that, it’s nice

Great for family fun and an awesome way to cool off.

Water is Freezing!! Lol but amazing. There is so much space that you can get your own little side even when there are a lot of people. It is a great place to go have fun with family and have a delightful day.

So fun chutes are fun light people (kids) will get stuck on the first chute

Great places for familys!!!

I love this place! I love the family environment. The way you can just hangout with your family all day and just unwind!

I love coming to Rio Vista. Been visiting since I was a kid. Just beautiful

Its beautiful there.Cold clear water fresh from Aquarena springs.The Lions Club rents tubes up stream at the newly redone City Park recreation center.They even offer shuttle bus rides back to the top so you can float several times if you like.Good fun for the whole family!

We went to visit and we had an awesome time

Clean cold water. No drunk people around due to no alcohol allowed. Perfect for the family.

Great time with friends and family going down the shoot.

I really love it! I went with my family and friends and we had a lot of fun! Very important make sure you bring your water shoes! You will need it for sure and for safety! Arrive early because The parking is a caos!l