Visitors will be connected to parks via river
A three-quarter-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River purchased by Kendall County for $11.25 million is destined to become the area’s first “Blue Trail” and a favored spot for water recreation.
Visitors will be able to use two launches to access the Guadalupe for a twomile float downstream to Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area, another county-owned property.
“ This park brings together two important goals: Protecting the land and giving people a meaningful way to experience it,” Precinct 2 County Commissioner Andra Wisian said. “Together, the two properties will create a continuous public river experience that has not previously been available in the county.”
The new property, formerly the Guadalupe River Ranch Resort and most recently, Demolition Ranch, will offer a connection from FM 474 to about two miles past the FM 474-Kreutzberg Road turnoff.
A Blue Trail is a designated waterway route that provides managed public access points for non-motorized recreation including canoes and kayaks.
Joe Reissig, county parks department director, conducted a recent grounds tour and update on the land purchased from owner Matt Carriker.
“We’ll get ready for the upcoming budget season, so we can hopefully get a summer 2027 opening for the bottom portion here,” Reissig said.
“The top portion is going to take a little while.” Built on the side of a hill, the “top portion” is where the Guadalupe River Ranch Resort used to be. Carriker said the main resort building burned down about a decade ago and the place has been shuttered.
An old swimming pool and tennis courts linked to the resort will have to be removed. In addition, only one of three buildings on a hillside with views of the river and land can be saved, officials said.
Reissig envisions leaving untouched much of the land at the bottom of the property abutting the Guadalupe.
“I see beautiful open space for the most part. I’m not looking to do any development down on the bottom terrace whatsoever,” he said.
Picnic tables, play areas and river access for canoe and kayak launches are in the plans, Reissig said.
A recent environmental walk-through revealed wells, septic and electrical services formerly used at the river resort.
Most of the systems will probably be abandoned. According to state law, the wells will be plugged, capped or brought up to current standards.
The county’s purchase at an estimated $11.25 million includes money held in escrow for demolition and clearing, officials said.
On the grounds, and included in the sale, is Demolition Ranch, where Carriker based his popular YouTube channel he ran from 2011-2025. The firing range is part of the 310-acre sale, which also includes an Airbnb and a lodge-type structure of 1,600-1,800 square feet that could be used as a visitor center.
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