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River Walk FAQs
View our most frequently asked questions about all things San Antonio River Walk below!
How much does a visit to the River Walk cost?
The River Walk is a public park and is free to visit. Boat rides, attractions, and other activities will have various costs associated with them.
What is the River Walk's address?
The River Walk is 15 miles long and flows through approximately five miles of downtown San Antonio. As such, there is not a single address.
For GPS purposes, use the address for the Shops at Rivercenter, located directly on the River Walk in the heart of downtown, at 849 E. Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205.
The San Antonio River's headwaters are located at the University of Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas, approximately four miles north of Downtown. The San Antonio River joins the Guadalupe River and flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
View Overview Map of River Walk
What time does the River Walk close?
The Downtown and Museum Reach portions of the River Walk are open 24 hours a day. Please check with businesses directly for their hours of operation. The Mission Reach section of the River Walk is open during daylight hours only.
How do I catch a boat ride?
Go Rio Cruises offers boat tours, boat taxis, and private dining boats.
Weather permitting, boat tours and river shuttles operate daily. Dinner cruises and special tours require reservations. Tour and taxi tickets may be purchased in advance online or at locations along the River Walk.
For more information, call the reservations office at 210-227-4746 or visit www.goriocruises.com
Where can I park while visiting the River Walk?
There are over 2,000 parking meters, most enforced 8 AM-6 PM, Mon-Sat.
Parking is free outside of these hours. Parking is free in city-run parking garages and lots during “Downtown Tuesday,” which is available on most Tuesdays after 6 PM.
Can I park my RV or Bus downtown?
Out-of-town visitors may park their buses at the Travis Park parking meters or at The Alamodome.
The Traffic Division at 210-207-7755 must be contacted in advance on a first-come basis to arrange parking meters. For more information on The Alamodome, visit www.alamodome.com or call 210-207-3663.
Where can I find an ADA map of the River Walk or rent a wheelchair/scooter?
Contact The City of San Antonio Disability Access Office by calling 210-207-7957.
You can also view the River Walk Map page, which shows ramps and elevator access.
Tom’s Wheelchairs rents wheelchairs and scooters. They can be reached at 210-223-7878 and are conveniently located in Downtown San Antonio.
Visit the City of San Antonio Disability Access Office
What kind of weather can I expect?
Climate Conditions Daily Average.
|
Month |
Daily Maximum |
Daily Minimum |
Rainfall |
|
January |
62.3 |
41.6 |
1.66 |
|
February |
66.1 |
44.7 |
2.07 |
|
March |
72.4 |
49.6 |
1.54 |
|
April |
78.8 |
57.6 |
2.54 |
|
May |
85.2 |
65.4 |
3.07 |
|
June |
91.6 |
72.2 |
2.79 |
|
July |
95.6 |
73.9 |
1.69 |
|
August |
95.9 |
73.4 |
2.41 |
|
September |
89.8 |
68.8 |
3.71 |
|
October |
81.1 |
59.2 |
2.84 |
|
November |
71.1 |
48.2 |
1.77 |
|
December |
64.6 |
41.8 |
1.46 |
Visit the Visit San Antonio Weather page for more weather information.
View the Latest San Antonio Forecast
Is the River Walk drained yearly?
In the past, the River Walk was drained annually for cleaning and maintenance.
Since 2002, the River Walk has been drained on a schedule determined by the City of San Antonio. To see the draining schedule, visit http://www.sanantonio.gov/ccdo/riverwalk/maintenance
Can I get married on the River Walk?
Yes! It is called Marriage Island and is located on the bank of the river near Hotel Contessa.
Reservations and fees must be requested through the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department at 210-207-7275.
Are dogs allowed on the River Walk?
Leashed dogs are allowed on the River Walk. Many outdoor restaurants and shops welcome dogs on their patios while you dine.
Please call ahead to check if the specific business you wish to visit allows dogs.
Please remember to clean up after your pet.
Can I feed the wildlife?
As tempting as it is, we ask that all visitors refrain from feeding the wildlife people food. It is not healthy for the animals, and it directly affects the delicate ecosystem of the river by changing the PH balance of the water.
Can the River Walk flood?
Thanks to a series of locks and dams, the downtown section of the River Walk does not flood – even during heavy rain periods. Street-level water around the River Walk is routed into the river to avoid street-level flooding as well. A sophisticated monitoring system ensures that the water level does NOT rise to flood the sidewalks on the Downtown section of the River Walk.
South of downtown is the Mission Reach section of the River Walk, which can flood. If you can’t see the sidewalk or a barricade is up, turn around and avoid the area.
When can I see the holiday lights downtown?
Over 100,000 holiday lights are lit each year on the day after Thanksgiving to kick off the Ford Holiday River Parade.
The lights remain on until a few days after the first of the New Year. The turn-off date varies. The lights go on at dusk and off at dawn each day during the season.
Holiday Lights on the River Walk
River Walk Live!
Photo by San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk
River Walk Mission Reach