The Frio River is known for its cool, spring-fed flow and clear water, making it a popular destination for recreation in the Texas Hill Country. Its name, translating to “cold” in Spanish, references the consistent coolness of its water, even during the hottest summer months. This distinctive natural feature draws countless visitors for tubing, swimming, and camping each year. The Frio River’s journey spans approximately 200 miles, tracing a path from the rugged limestone terrain of the Edwards Plateau to the relatively flat coastal plain of South Texas.
The Headwaters
The geographic origin of the Frio River is the convergence of three distinct tributaries that gather in the Texas Hill Country. The official starting point is considered the juncture of the East Frio River, the West Frio River, and the Dry Frio River. This confluence is situated in Real County.
The West Frio River, one of the primary branches, begins its flow from springs located in the northeastern part of Real County. These springs draw from the vast underground water system. The West Frio then merges with the East Frio River near the small town of Leakey. The combined flow from these two forks marks the beginning of the main Frio River stem.
The River’s Course and Characteristics
The Frio River traverses a diverse landscape that includes Uvalde, Frio, and LaSalle counties. The river’s path is defined by the underlying geology of the Edwards Plateau. This limestone is responsible for the river’s clarity.
The river’s flow is sustained primarily by springs, giving it the refreshing temperature that inspired its name. However, the Frio River is also known for its intermittent nature, especially in its lower reaches. As the river crosses the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in northern Uvalde County, a significant portion of its water volume can sink into the porous limestone bedrock.
The third major tributary, the Dry Frio River, joins the main stem farther downstream, northeast of the city of Uvalde. This intermittent flow dynamic means that the riverbed can appear dry in sections during periods of low rainfall. Despite this, the upper portions remain a year-round draw, with the river flowing directly through Garner State Park.
Garner State Park is located about ten miles south of Leakey, where the river winds through towering bald cypress trees and past dramatic limestone bluffs. This stretch of the Frio is celebrated for its scenic beauty and deep swimming holes. The upper river has been designated an ecologically significant stream segment.
The Confluence
The Frio River ends in the southern part of Texas. Its termination point is a confluence with the larger Nueces River system. This confluence occurs in Live Oak County, approximately one mile south of the town of Three Rivers.
Before reaching this terminal point, the Frio River contributes its flow to the Choke Canyon Reservoir, a major water supply and flood control project. This reservoir is situated in McMullen and Live Oak counties, impounding a significant volume of the river’s water. The Frio River ultimately becomes a tributary of the Nueces River, merging with it and the Atascosa River simultaneously at the Three Rivers junction. The combined waters then continue their path as the Nueces River, eventually emptying into the Nueces Bay and, finally, the Gulf of Mexico. The Frio River’s drainage basin covers a substantial area of approximately 7,310 square miles, encompassing a large section of the South Texas Brush Country.