Hiking, kayaking, water fun, bicycling and plenty of open space await you all along the southern side of Downtown Kerrville. To get the full experience, make tracks for Tranquility Island, the perfect shady place to take in the beauty of the Guadalupe.

The crown jewel of the outdoor scene in Kerrville is the Kerrville River Trail, a six-mile, 10’ wide walking and biking trail meandering with the Guadalupe River from Kerrville-Schreiner Park to just west of the Riverside Nature Center. The nearest trailhead to Downtown is in Louise Hays Park, with close access to Tranquility Island.

Downtown Kerrville would not be as you see today without the Guadalupe and its cypress trees. Outstanding views of the river and Louise Hays Park are easily accessible at the Dallas Daughtry Pavilion in the 800 block of Water Street. From there, you can take the steps down to the footbridge connecting to the River Trail, or just claim a bench and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall and glow of a Hill Country sunset.

Built as a community effort in a single day, the 64-acre Louise Hays Park and the adjoining 27 acre Lehmann & Monroe Park offer numerous family amenities in along the Guadalupe. The free public splash pad is an oasis of wet fun for families by day, and at night comes alive with colorful columns of water. Two playgrounds are ready for kids of all ages, and picnic tables are plentiful for a picnic under the oaks. For larger gatherings, a spacious pavilion is also available for reservation. We’ve even got a dog park for your four legged companions.

Love getting outside but don’t want to bring your own gear? You can rent a kayak and explore the river or hit the River Trail on a bicycle from the team Kerrville Kayak & Canoe, who offer seasonal rentals right under the Highway 16 bridge. Take it from a local- one of the greatest parts of living in the area is exploring the Guadalupe with a paddle in your hand or a pedal under foot.

In between shopping and dining, you can enjoy a street-level break at Peterson Plaza, directly in front of Kerrville's City Hall. This manicured green space is a great place to have a stroll. It's also home to the Kerrville Chalk Festival every October.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Schreiner Mansion is a historic site and event center on Earl Garrett Street. Built by wool magnate and merchant Charles Schreiner in 1879, this six bedroom home was designed by famous San Antonio architect Alfred Giles. Come see this piece of frontier history for yourself! Guided mansion tours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 2PM.