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With Tube Rentals, East Austin Beach Not So 'Secret' Anymore

flickr.com/philpool

Some secrets, it seems, are worth sharing.

This Memorial Day, a company called East Side Tubes began offering tube rentals and shuttle service just west of the Longhorn Dam on the Colorado River – services similar to those on the San Marcos River or the Comal River in New Braunfels. But new tubers may arrive to the chagrin of those frequenting the area colloquially known as “Secret Beach.”

Located on the south shore of the Colorado River, off of a trailhead in Roy G. Guerrero Park, the beach has served as a hotspot for those looking for nearby sand and water.

Dan Walker has been renting out kayaks in the area since 2005. But Walker recently decided to capitalize on the area’s convenient, central location with a new tube rental business. While Walker says the area may become more well-known because of his business, the shore’s size limits development of the area.

(All that said, on the Austin Reddit page,some question Secret Beach as a recreation destination.)

“This is one of the few places that’s still not blown up yet, that’s not big … because, you know, there’s no access,” Walker says. “The whole south shore is the City of Austin park and the north shore is a few homes and the Colorado [River] Wildlife Sanctuary, so there’s really nowhere to develop, which is nice. It keeps this area down here pristine … but it had to be found out sometime.” 

Andrew Weber is a general assignment reporter for KUT, focusing on criminal justice, policing, courts and homelessness in Austin and Travis County. Got a tip? You can email him at aweber@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @England_Weber.
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