LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Skiles Falls
Texas • 5 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Skiles Falls is seen from the San Antonio River. The surrounding banks are private land with no public trail.
About Skiles Falls
Skiles Falls, also called Mill Falls, is a 5- to 6-foot ledge drop across the San Antonio River near Falls City in Karnes County, Texas. It is named for James R. Skiles, who built a plantation and gristmill on the river here. The land along this stretch is not in a park, and the falls are seen mainly by paddlers on the river.
The Setting
Skiles Falls sits at 269 feet in the coastal lowlands of Texas. The falls drop 5 feet.
Height: 5 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no trail to Skiles Falls. It sits about halfway along a 6- to 8-mile San Antonio River paddle between FM 791 above Falls City and US 181 at the south edge of town.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 5 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Skiles Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Skiles Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit is typically after periods of rainfall, as the waterfall's flow is seasonal.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Scout or line canoes around the drop. Low-head ledges can create dangerous hydraulics in high water.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on San Antonio Rv, 1.3 miles away, not on Skiles Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
728 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Higher than usual for this time of year
Based on 101 years of record
2.03 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge San Antonio Rv nr Falls City, TX (2 km away).
Today
Roaring
786 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
766 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
728 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
716 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
783 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
806 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
778 cfs
9/10Best window: Thu — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to early June, peaking in May.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Falls City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Skiles Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Skiles Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 62°F to 57°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 641 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The bare-earth surface loses about 37 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 5 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 268 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 32 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 39 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 268 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 37 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Paddlers have put in at the FM 791 bridge upstream of Falls City and taken out at the US 181 bridge on the south edge of town. Both access points have steep, overgrown banks.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
269 feet above sea level
Coordinates
28.958431° N, -98.044415° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check the San Antonio River gauge near Falls City before paddling, and stay on the river; the riverbanks are private land.
Where to Stay
Instalodge Hotel and Suites Karnes City
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kenedy Karnes City
Quality Inn & Suites Kenedy - Karnes City
La Quinta by Wyndham Floresville
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Falls City, Texas
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Falls City, Texas on SoakingSprings.
Explore Texas springsAdditional Information
Wildlife
The area may host typical Texas wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Skiles Falls
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