Great place to bring your family if you're new to San Marcos. Kayaking, tubing, fishing, etc. There's nothing you can't do here. The view, the vibes, the fun that happens here can't be missed out on. Unfortunately, a portion of the river is closed down due to COVID. Better safe than sorry. read more

Sewell Park is right on the Texas State University campus. The main draw is the spring-fed San Marcos River that runs right through it. The water is crystal clear and stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, which is perfect for beating the Texas heat. It's a fantastic spot for tubing, kayaking, swimming, or snorkeling. The park itself is really well-maintained with grassy banks for sunbathing, a couple of sand volleyball courts, an outdoor basketball court, and plenty of space to just hang up a hammock and relax. You can even rent gear right there at the Outdoor Center. read more

Best place to relax. I love the river and playing volleyball or even throwing a football around. This place is great!

So even though Tx State regs allow the general public to Sewell Park (02.01"Sewell Park is a property of Texas State ... Generally, it is open to the public if the applicable policies and procedures are adhered to"), the City of San Marcos started charging $15 parking at Lions Club (if over 2 hrs, in nearly empty lot during weekday) and, although not clearly communicated, the City Marshall's sit and watch if anyone walks into Sewell Park and then issues a $100 ticket on the vehicle for being "parked in a No Parking Zone" and "Driver observed leaving city park". Much more militant/surveillance atmosphere than I was used to visiting Sewell Park since the 1970's but I guess that is where most our tax dollars go to promoting these days. Parks are becoming just for the wealthy. Sewell Park itself was great otherwise. read more

This was just a half an hour stop for us on The Way to Austin. Needed The place to cool Of, possibly next to the water. It looks absolutely amazing. Water is see through, so refreshing. I wish we had more time to spend. Parking lot had plenty of cars, but when we approached the water we realized that everyone bring their our or rent tubes and they drift down the River. Maybe some other time. read more

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So much fun, if you have a big group, make sure to bring some rope so that you can tie all of your tubes together, so you don't flood away from each other. I absolutely love it here, sometimes there's the occasional inconsiderate humans that will try and ruin it for you, but there's plenty of places to move to to get away from them. Water is cold. read more

Sewell Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

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Texas State University Park! This place is in the heart of San Marcos, a beautiful park that leads to the river. Along the river, there's lots of seating, murals, sidewalks and shade to watch the river go by. This park offers plenty of free parking, clean restrooms and changing areas, and a tube rental place! This park has it all! Alcohol isn't allowed in the park, but I think you're okay if you're in the river, swimming around. The water here is always pleasant, it's spring fed, so the water is always, always a cool temperature. The park is usually crowded with students when school's in session, but it was packed with families when I went. Be sure to watch out for the ducks- they can be aggressive! read more

What a beautiful river and park! It was clear clean and cold! There is also no entry fee! Came on a hot day for my friends birthday. We put out tube in and went on our way. A few things to point out; this river is very marsh like and clearly hasn't been maintained use caution as we were stuck in a grassy area and spot various animals in the water including a snake and turtle, I recommend bringing a paddle as this would have allowed us to get our tube unstuck and kept us away from the animals in the water. This is also your standard Texas river the bottoms do have rocks and other objects I recommend shoes, as well as strong swimmers as the current is quite strong and there are some deep areas where feet dong touch the ground, also aren't any lifeguards. We were pushed pretty far down river and found ourselves really far from starting area but luckily a sweet women driving the van from top to bottom noticed us walking with our large tube and gave us a ride back to our car! I had a great time I wish I'd taken more photos read more

Sewell Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

Best hangout place in San Marcos , hands down. Super clean area often called " bikini hill" because it's tons of coool ( haha) college kids laying on a hill getting their tan on! This place is great for laying out , tubing , or just swimming around since it's pretty shallow. It's been my favorite river spot since I was about 11-12 , and I've been to literally every river spot in San Marcos. San Marcos may not have a arcade , an amusement park, or anything fun for the younger crowd, but we sure as hell have a bad ass river ! read more

Great location to lay out & swim. Parking can be limited / hard as this park belongs to the Texas state college and so the parking lots are generally permit required. (& City park will ticket/tow sometimes if you park in their lot) BUT overall an awesome location with a beautiful view of the river & college! read more

Sewell Park, My favorite San Marcos river hangout is a very popular destination on the Texas State University campus. Whether you want to swim in the always 72 degree crystal clear Aquarena Springs fed water or just relax on the grassy lawns. They've got tube rentals, grills, tables, volleyball, basketball, and the one and only Frisbee Dan!! For those that haven't been informed, Frisbee Dan is the cool older gent that hangs out in Sewell Park covered in White Zinc Oxide. At first he appears to be lounging in his chair, feet propped up on a cooler and jamming to his jukebox but rest assure if you say hi and signal like you want to throw a frisbee he will not let you down. This San Marcos icon has been living the life since the 80s and I pray to God he sticks around as long as possible. Live Long Frisbee Dan! read more

Sewell Park - San Marcos River in the heart of Texas State. - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

I love this little place. It's super convenient and full of kiddos after class. Bikini Hill is what my friends and I call it. It's very laid back, TOBACCO FREE, ALCOHOL FREE, and awesome. I respect that so much. However, in the spring when those little white flowers start to grow, the bees and ants get pretty bad. So make sure to wear your flip flops when walking in the grass. Jump right into the river for a little cool down or you can even launch your tubing expedition right off the ledge! Enjoy the beautiful weather, pic nik, sketch, read, study, workout, BBQ, whatever your heart desires. read more

Sewell Park - Parks Near Me - San Marcos, Texas

Not my favorite place to enjoy the river, but that's mainly because it's consistently crowded and not as naturally pretty as other river entry spots. Still a great place to spend the afternoon. read more

Me. Gusta el lugar espero pasemos un momento en familia y el amor De Dios que no falla ahí estaremos pronto

Is there really a river that goes through Texas State's campus?! Yes. People don't believe me so I try to bring all visitors to Sewell (or at least drive by to prove my point). There are sand volleyball courts, plenty of grassy space to lay out (in the sun & shade), Frisbee Dan or the Sun God and a refreshing river. I usually stay away from this place because while school is in session & the sun is out, it's packed with people and hard to find a clear space for a group of friends to lay out. Jumping into the clear, fast moving water is kind of an exhilarating rush on the small strip of water flowing through Sewell. If you are looking for a place to drink alcohol and take your dog, head further down the river to Rio Vista because Sewell and the University Police Dept. keep an eye on the park (a couple of friend's have been fined or asked to leave if they had a dog or alcohol). Seems like the sun is ALWAAAAYS shining on the hill of Sewell so throw on your swimsuit, grab a towel and don't forget the sunscreen. read more

I absolutely LOVE sewell park. Its classic san marcos. There are only a few things to note. Always wear shoes because when its spring there is a pretty serious bee situation and they are hard to see in the clover. Also in the morning if you drive by there are the scary vulture clan who all hang out there. But other than that its great. If you go on a hot summer day then people will bring there ipod player thingys or there will be a drum circle that I will be kinda entertaining and people will bring guitars and you can lay in the sun until your brains melted and then jump in the river and freeze your booty off. then repeat! read more

One of Texas State's most attractive features (pun intended). Clear, spring-fed water of the San Marcos River runs through the park, making this green space an oasis to behold. The water keeps at 72 degrees and makes for a perfect swim during those humid, 95+ days. The park is probably best known by TSU students for Bikini Hill. Bikini Hill is the inclined, sunny side of the river, on which students sun in their bikinis and trunks. If showing off your abs isn't your idea of a good time, the spot at least makes for interesting people watching. Sewell Park also has several outdoorsy/sports features, including volleyball and basketball courts, a kayak and tube rental for floating the river, grills, and, yes, Frisbee Dan (see Rory H.'s review). A convenience store is also located adjacent to the park in case you forgot your hydrating liquids, sunscreen, or to blow up your tube. Also of note: the rarely used dock at the back of the park makes for an intimate spot to chill with a special someone or to get away from the crowd. read more

A nice little spot at the headwater of the San Marcos river, Sewell Park is a beautiful destination on any sunny day. Usually packed with plenty of young people, there are never a shortage of things to do ranging from swimming and volleyball to tanning to studying. Any sort of activity can be done here (if you can concentrate on what you're doing and not all the hot bodies running around.) The water is a constant 72 degrees, giving consistent conditions that make anyone happy. The water is nice whether you're cooling off mid-July or jumping in mid-January on a late night dare. The only issue I have is the amount of grass and weeds that clog up the river. These can no longer be removed because of the presence an endangered salamander that feeds only on this grass. Cool for science, not so great for swimming. It's annoying but I'll only knock them one point, it is for nature after all! Swing on in and cool off in the river, it's an awesome place to people watch or participate in your favorite outdoor activity. You will not be disappointed with the views, nature or otherwise! read more

Love this place and the scenery here, everytime I go to TxSt I find myself at Sewell,it's good for hanging out and floating on the river if you're into that. Fishing can sometimes goes good because they're definitely in there it's just a matter of a human being in there swimming around at the same time. They can scare off the fish with the festivities but it's all in good fun. Another thing that bothers me about the park are the bugs in the spring time. We had an outdoor concert with Greek life and their were mosquitoes having a field day on everyone. It's nearly impossible to enjoy an event when you have to worry about Mosquitos enjoying you. But altogether this is an awesome place and if you're in the San Marvelous you HAVE to visit it there's no doubt about it!!! read more

My favorite river to float in, park to relax on and water to swim in. You can't call yourself a true Bobcat until you toss the frisbee with Frisbee Dan! read more

Love Sewell park but wish little kids would stop crowding up this park which is for Texas State students and faculty only.

Definitely a nice park with a nice view, but during the school year, it's always crowded with students

The best place to hang out in San Marcos, Texas!! no one ever believes me when I say that we have a river running through campus, so I love to show that to all of my friends that come into town. It is lovingly call bikini hill by the majority of students and residents and if you need any additional sight seeing, the Sun God and frisbee Dan are always available. read more

Nice place to start snorkeling from. Start in the morning for better clarify and exit at lions club