Concan Frio river help

[Dirtymike]

Well we decieded to take a family vacation and float the frio. The original plan was to stay at gardner state park. BIL got us a cabin in concan. Dont know where to put in the river take out. I also have a 1 year old which I am not sure about taking on the river. Is the river lazy and slow or too fast for a young 1 year old. Are there small 1 hour floats? Man I dont know any thing about this area. I been there one time and that was after high school in 95. We just stayed at the park, went swimming in the park and camped. I dont even know how to act taking a vac and not sleeping in a tent on the ground. Will be staying off of bluebonnet rd. Thanks in advance for yalls help.

[systemnt]

put in at Happy hollow... it was moving slow for us three weeks ago..but we didnt have to walk very much.

[Dirtymike]

Oh also are the tubes you buy at academy like a river rat able to hold up to the river. I dont know if there are really sharp rocks and shallow spots and need the big 18 wheeler or tractor rubber tubes. Wife likes the river rats cause it feels better on the skin and does not get as hot aswell as no big metal air poky things as she calls them.

[Dirtymike]

How long of a float was it?

[systemnt]

took us about 3.5 hours.. not bad at all.
You need real tubes..or strong nylon floats.. river rats got punctured on our trips..

[systemnt]

if your taking a one year old, buy a boat float (nylon) and bring a towel..let momma hold the baby with the towel over him/her in the float.. (thats what we did.) ..our's slept the whole trip

[Dirtymike]

if your taking a one year old, buy a boat float (nylon) and bring a towel..let momma hold the baby with the towel over him/her in the float.. (thats what we did.) ..our's slept the whole trip

I was thinking about something along the lines of that. She does love water and being out. I was going to rig a large umbrella. I have taken her kayaking, swimming hiking and bow hunting and she loves the outdoors so I dont think she would be fussy. I think she will actually enjoy it as long as it is safe. And I will be the one with the baby. I am very protective over my girl and a much stronger swimmer. I guessing most of the river is not even deep enough to swim but... I dont know. Just a bit nervouse I guess cause this girl is everything to me. Do you have a pic or link of what you mean by nylon boat and nylon float? I thought the river rats were nylon. I just want to make sure she is safe and also comfortable that way we can both enjoy the trip. I dont want to have to keep her at the cabin with the old folks and have her miss out. She enjoys being out and doing things as much as I do. I would feel guilty.

[Codie]

put in at Comanche Crossing and Float down to Frio Country - 30 minutes or so right now with the low water.

I personally would not take a 1 yr old baby on the river, Not that the river is swift or anything like that, but even having to get up and walk in spots would be VERY dangerous holding a little baby as the rocks can be VERY slippery. I fell twice this last trip knowing what I was walking on and trying not to fall (and I am pretty good on my feet). Just not a place I would take a baby. If it was me, I would take turns floating between me and the wife with one of us staying at the cabin with the 1yr old

[Dirtymike]

One option I was thinking is I just find a swimming hole for her and I. I am also weary about on the river cause I have never been down it. I do take her kayaking and she enjoys it and does not try to dive out or climb around. She will just sit and point at things and say something in baby lanuage. I could always not carry her down the parts youhave to walk but simply drag her in her boat.

You said the water is low. Walking is going to be hard for me cause I have broken foot from april that is still in the process of healing. Walking on reg surfaces is painfull. I can handle a little walking but if it is a lot of walking on the river please let me know. I will find some shallows and hang with the kid. Good enough for me.

Are there any other activities or sights to see in the area? We are going to be there for 4 days and river and swimming may get old. Maybe. It has not happened to me yet... but this year I will not be doing the river "new braunsfels" style if you know what I mean. No beer bongs and boobies.

[smokeless]

I would also be hesitant about floating with a little one. We floated within the park ( Garner ) at the end of May and it was great. We would put in at the Rio Frio camping area and float to rock beach or the dam. It took over an hour but it was a nice float.
We used the white and blue tubes with the mesh bottom. I have had them for a number of years and no holes yet. Academy used to sell them.
You know how slippery the rocks can be. Holding a child and trying not to bust your rear would be a challenge. Have fun and tell us how it works out.

[Dirtymike]

That sounds like a decent time wise to float. I know my daughter can and would handle a hour long float. As long as there are not crazy rapids or tube shoots like the comal. As far as walking she will sit in a float with a bottom. She does well in the water. So the real question is how much walking? And what kind of rapids? What are the concerns for taking her on the river besides having to walk on slippry rocks. She will sit and be pulled with out climbing out. I do it often with her in the kayaks on the colorado. Or is it current and bumping her head and the like? If you tell me that water moves a bit then yea heck no deal is off. We will find a swimming hole and post up there. If it is more concern about her behavior on the water or not being able to stay in a tube I dont think that will be a problem. She loves the outdoors and water. She is familer with rivers lakes and pools. We are on the water often. But it is always calm water no current and rocks. Most of the colorado river you can just stand up in and there are no problems. Not sure about the frio.

Any other suggestions on activities? Or is it just the river and the state park? Thanks for your in put on if you would take your baby on the river or not. Not everyone is the same and also not every child acts the same. I would like to hear more feed back and experience on the river. I thought this river to be a shallow slow flow river. Is that not correct. I know it is cold that is about it.

Thanks again TBHers. I like knowing a little bit about where I am going since this was not my vacation plan.

[FCTrapper]

Go to Neals crossing and swim..... River is super low.

If if you just have to float ,do what Codie said and put in at Comanche Crossing and float to the Frio River Camp. Or Float to Happy Hollow (Don't put in at HH) Happy Hollow has a shuttle if you go there and park. Water is super slow right now, floating is not that great.

[Dirtymike]

THanks guys I just googled the spots yall are talking about. I think we will just hang out and swim and let the rest of the group float down the river. Is there anywhere to fish for cats in the area. Or too many people all over?