Crowds gather along the San Marcos River at Rio Vista Park on June 5, 2026, as visitors begin returning to the popular riverfront park ahead of the peak summer season.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
Thousands of visitors have paid to enter Rio Vista Park this summer as San Marcos tests a new managed-access program aimed at controlling crowds and helping offset the cost of maintaining one of the city’s busiest riverfront parks.
As of Friday, August 14, the city had sold 16,655 tickets to out-of-area visitors, generating $83,275 in revenue from the $5 entry fee, according to data provided by the city.
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The fee applies to out-of-area visitors on designated weekends and holidays during the summer season, which began June 20 and runs through September 7.
Qualifying local-area participants can enter for free through the city’s registration system. San Marcos had issued 2,164 resident passes as of August 14.
The numbers offer an early look at how the managed-access program is performing during its first full summer after officials introduced it to address heavy riverfront crowds, litter and enforcement challenges.
A sign at Rio Vista Park is seen on April 14, 2026, in San Marcos, Texas.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
Fencing lines sections of Rio Vista Park on June 5, 2026, as the city continues preparations for its managed access system ahead of summer operations.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
How is the Rio Vista Park fee working?
San Marcos Parks and Recreation officials said the system has been working well overall, though visitors who purchase tickets before arriving have made the process faster.
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Out-of-area visitors must purchase their $5 tickets online. Staff at the park gates do not accept payment in person. Visitors who purchase in advance receive a QR code by email that can be scanned at the entrance.
The city said it has made minor adjustments to the system and entry points since the program launched but has not needed any major changes.
San Marcos also added four gate attendant positions after the summer began. The employees work at the entrances, assist with ticket purchases and scan visitors entering the park. Park ambassadors focus on educating visitors about park rules and answering general questions.
The city expects the process to become easier next summer because officials will have more time to promote the program and encourage visitors to purchase tickets ahead of time.
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A riverboarder navigates the San Marcos River on April 14, 2026, in San Marcos, Texas.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
Has Rio Vista Park gotten cleaner?
During Monday morning cleanups, Parks and Recreation staff have noticed less litter at the park, according to the city. But smaller pieces of trash remain a problem.
The city said some of the biggest sources of micro-litter are plastic bottle caps, bread and bun twist ties and plastic wrappers from juice-box straws.
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The San Marcos River flows through the city on April 14, 2026, in San Marcos, Texas.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
City crews install new fencing along Rio Vista Park near CM Allen Parkway in San Marcos as preparations continue for the summer season. The City implemented a seasonal entry fee for out-of-area visitors on weekends and holidays
Courtesy of The City of San Marcos
What did July 4 look like?
The city’s data also offers a snapshot of one of the summer’s busiest holidays. On July 4, San Marcos sold 2,377 out-of-area tickets for Rio Vista Park, generating $11,885 in revenue from the $5 managed-access fee.
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The holiday accounted for a significant share of the program’s revenue as visitors headed to the San Marcos River for the Fourth of July.
Since managed access began, Rio Vista Park has recorded 4,939 total scans, according to the city. Each scan can have multiple tickets attached to it. The city also recorded 553 resident scans, though those individual scans can include repeat visitors throughout the summer.
Tubers float and relax along the San Marcos River on April 14, 2026, in San Marcos, Texas.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
Where does the money go?
When the fee was proposed, San Marcos officials said summer operations across the city’s riverfront parks cost more than $500,000 annually, including staffing, maintenance and environmental management.
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The fee was intended to have out-of-area visitors help cover those costs, with revenue supporting park ambassadors, rangers and seasonal crews.
As of August 14, the fee had generated $83,275.
City officials consider the program successful and expect next summer to be easier with more advance notice for visitors. The managed-access season continues through September 7.