Meadows Center offering Spring Lake glass-bottomed kayak tours

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
May 16, 2014

Thousands of visitors over the years have explored Spring Lake on the famous glass-bottom boats of the former Aquarena Springs, but The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University is now offering glass-bottom kayak tours, with a special emphasis on Memorial Day weekend.

One-hour tours are offered daily from 8-10 a.m. and from 4-8 p.m., while two-hour tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving kayakers unprecedented access to the wetlands area that is off-limits to the glass-bottom boats.

Kayakers on all tours will encounter the more than 200 artesian springs and can expect to see native fish, turtles, aquatic plants and migratory birds up close in their natural habitat. In addition, kayakers will learn about the history of the area around the headwaters of the San Marcos River, and the rules and regulations that protect Spring Lake’s critical habitat, which includes eight endangered and threatened species. Guides will discuss a wide range of topics from biology and geology to environmental law and water resource management.

The glass-bottom kayaks are stable, sit-on-top ocean kayaks. Spring Lake itself is smooth, flat water, making this tour comfortable and enjoyable for people of all ages. Visitors planning a two-hour tour should have some prior paddling experience due to the critical habitat they will be paddling through.

Tours require advanced reservations, but for Memorial Day weekend, tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors who wish to make a reservation can do so by filling out the Tour Request Form 72-hours in advance or by calling the kayak office at (512) 245-7560.

Pricing for the tours is as follows:

One-hour tours
Groups of three or fewer/$30 per person
Groups of four to six/$20 per person

Two-hour tours
Adults: $40 per person
Military, seniors 62+, children 6-12: $30 per person
Texas State students, faculty and staff: $30 per person

About The Meadows Center

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is dedicated to environmental research, stewardship, education and service. It is run by renowned conservationist Andrew Sansom.