River Safety &
Volunteering
The Frio, Nueces, and Sabinal Rivers are the heart of Uvalde County’s Texas Hill Country. We encourage all visitors to utilize these resources to help ensure every moment on the water is safe, sustainable, and respectful of our natural spring-fed waterways and surrounding communities.
Safety First!
Essential River Rules
Respect the waterways and play responsibly. Before entering the river, you must be prepared for changing conditions.
Environmental Stewardship in Uvalde County
Community pride means keeping our rivers clean. We encourage every visitor and resident to practice environmental responsibility and respect private property.
Help Protect The
Environment
Pack It In, Pack It Out: No glass containers are allowed on the rivers. Always pack out your trash!
Leave No Trace (LNT): Protect the environment by reviewing the 7 Principles for Water Trips and guides on proper disposal of waste for river trips.
Yellow Bag Program
Keeping the beautiful landscape of Uvalde County clean takes a community effort. The Yellow Bag Program provides yellow biodegradable bags to visitors who are fishing, floating, camping, and exploring local parks and natural areas. These bags are meant to be a practical, yet visual, tool to remind visitors to respect natural resources. When you're through with your cleanup, just drop your Yellow Bag at one of the Visit Uvalde County-branded dumpsters.
Grab Your BagsTrash for Treats
Children 16 years old and under can participate in the Yellow Bag Program with some sweet incentives. This Youth River Stewardship Program allows young outdoor enthusiasts to trade in their full Yellow Bag for free ice cream from The Frio Float at the Uvalde County Visitor Center. These are eco-friendly habits that will preserve the Texas Hill Country for generations to come.
Sign Up Today
Stewardship & Volunteering
Don’t Trash where you splash
We invite locals and travelers to become a part of the local stewardship effort by volunteering for the Don’t Trash Where You Splash Volunteer Program. This program is part of our commitment to land stewardship and local conservation efforts.
How it works
Gather your group, float the river (Frio, Nueces, or Sabinal), pick up trash on the way down, and earn $15 per person, per hour of cleanup, awarded to the non-profit of your choice.
Represent Your Community
Everyone is welcome to lend a hand and show their love for Uvalde County by becoming a Visit Uvalde County Ambassador. Uplift your community when you help host local festivals and events, lead and participate in river cleanup projects, and share knowledge about Uvalde County with visitors.
Water Safety Guides
Know Before You Go
AT&T and T-Mobile are typically the best providers for the region; Verizon can occasionally work. Print directions ahead of time!
Know your river crossings and plan ahead. Be sure to acquire and use a map or chart to plan your water trip.
Don’t let kids tube alone and ensure youth paddling safety education is followed.
The Frio, Sabinal, and Nueces Rivers are generally slow-moving and perfect for relaxed tubing, floating, kayaking, and swimming. Remember that these waterways don’t loop back around…you’ll need a form of transportation to get you back up the river.
Rivers + Water Activities
Three Rivers, Endless Fun
The Frio, Nueces, and Sabinal rivers all weave their way through the Texas Hill Country, and each has its own personality. What they share is natural, spring-fed, crystal-clear water paired with rugged Hill Country beauty and endless outdoor excitement. Grab a tube, a paddle, or a fishing rod and explore Uvalde County’s sparkling waterways.