Lampasas River Access

[Mastro]

TBH'rs:

Any one know of public access to the Lampasas river between Kempner and Oakalla? With this oven-like heat, my family and I will need a place to cool off when working the lease this coming weekend.

[flywise]

Just out side of Kempner ( about a half mile) toward Lampasas there is a bridge. People park next to bridge and walk about 100 yds to the river.

It is really low so go up stream, there is a little deeper water about 100 yds

[Centex_bowhunte]

don't know if its public access or not but on 2657 on the southside of the bridge that crosses the lampasas i see ppl parking and walking down to the river there. i talked to a landowner that has property for sale on the lampasas river on the north side of that bridge and she said that the lampasas river is one of the few rivers in the state where the land owners actually own the water access, i don't know if she is correct or not but just something to think about.

[Mastro]

Just out side of Kempner ( about a half mile) toward Lampasas there is a bridge. People park next to bridge and walk about 100 yds to the river.

It is really low so go up stream, there is a little deeper water about 100 yds

Great. Is that the 190 bridge?

[flywise]

yep

[BirdRanger]

Mastro, the 190 Bridge park on R side of the road, walk up stream about 1-200 yards some good pools there took the kids there swimming to cool off when working on the farm, water will be low but there will be water and cool. it is about 1 Mile after the Kempner flashing light before 1715.

[DJM]

Don't speed going through Kempner.It drops to 45mph.

DJ

[Mastro]

don't know if its public access or not but on 2657 on the southside of the bridge that crosses the lampasas i see ppl parking and walking down to the river there. i talked to a landowner that has property for sale on the lampasas river on the north side of that bridge and she said that the lampasas river is one of the few rivers in the state where the land owners actually own the water access, i don't know if she is correct or not but just something to think about.

Great. The 190 bridge that some others mentioned and the 2657 bridge you mentioned are about the same distance for us so I'll probably give both a try.

[Texas Outlaw]

I lived just up stream of the 190 bridge many years ago (near the dam under the RR bridge) and I will tell you that the Lampasas is not a navagable river. Therefore, the land owners own the ground under the water. If you walk in the river, you are trespassing. They used to fine people all the time at both bridges...don't know about now. Be careful. Just because "people do it all the time" does not make it legal!

[Devin]

I imagine the Lampasas is considered a navigable stream (defined below) in that area and the public has rights to boat, tube, swim, walk, etc.

Here's more info on Texas Stream Laws

Couple of quotes:

A stream is navigable by statute if it retains an average width of 30 feet from the mouth up.2 It is important to understand that the entire stream bed is to be included in the width, not just the area covered by water on a given day. A navigable stream may be dry part of the year, but does not lose its character as a navigable stream.

A: Texas courts have recognized that a member of the public may engage in a variety of activities in, on, and along a public lake or stream. Besides boating, persons may swim, float, walk, wade, picnic, camp, and (with a license) fish.17 These activities must be confined to the waters of the lake or stream and the streambed. The public does not have the right to cross private property to get to or from public water.

More info from TPWD on access in the Lampasas specifically.

[flywise]

don't know if its public access or not but on 2657 on the southside of the bridge that crosses the lampasas i see ppl parking and walking down to the river there. i talked to a landowner that has property for sale on the lampasas river on the north side of that bridge and she said that the lampasas river is one of the few rivers in the state where the land owners actually own the water access, i don't know if she is correct or not but just something to think about.

my grandmother used to own all that land and it is basically impossible to keep people out. But she never really cared either. as long as they didn't walk around the land and stayed close to the river

[Mastro]

I imagine the Lampasas is considered a navigable stream (defined below) in that area and the public has rights to boat, tube, swim, walk, etc.

Here's more info on Texas Stream Laws

Couple of quotes:




More info from TPWD on access in the Lampasas specifically.

That TPWD website provide some good info.

[Mastro]

Bump

Appears to be a spot in CR223 (Old River Road) about half way between Oakalla and Kempner where the road is right next to the river. Anyone know if that's public access?

Here is a sat pic from Google maps. Thanks guys.

[Draco]

Mastro, it's really not public access but people go in there to swim all the time. It is about a 20' lime stone bluff right there and is pretty hairy going up or down.

I have access to the river right upstream from there and about a mile down stream as well.

[Mastro]

Mastro, it's really not public access but people go in there to swim all the time. It is about a 20' lime stone bluff right there and is pretty hairy going up or down.

I have access to the river right upstream from there and about a mile down stream as well.

Thanks Draco. Looks like we might be neighbors - I'm about 1/4 mile away from that section of the river.