Central Texas river tubing looks wonderfully uncomplicated.

You sit in an inflatable tube, place your feet over the edge and let clear spring water carry you past cypress trees, limestone banks and groups of people who began the day with wildly different ideas about how much stuff a cooler should contain.

The activity itself is simple.

Planning it correctly is not.

Austin, San Marcos and New Braunfels are often grouped together when people talk about tubing, but they offer very different experiences. Austin is mainly the starting point for organized trips. San Marcos offers a short, beginner-friendly town float and longer downstream adventures. New Braunfels gives you a choice between the compact, lively Comal River and the longer, more variable Guadalupe.

The right river depends on your group, swimming ability, preferred float time and tolerance for rapids, crowds and complicated parking.

This guide explains where to rent, where to enter, what to pack and what can go wrong before you ever put your backside into an inner tube.

Current river alert: As of July 15, 2026, the City of New Braunfels has temporarily closed recreational access to the Comal River because of hazardous weather and fast-moving, poor-visibility water. Closures can change quickly, so check official city updates and contact your outfitter before leaving home. (NBTexas)

The three tubing experiences at a glance

Area	Main water	Typical experience	Best for
Austin	Transportation to the San Marcos River	Organized day trip from downtown Austin	Visitors without a car or designated driver
San Marcos	San Marcos River	Clear, 72-degree spring water with short or long routes	First-timers, families and relaxed groups
New Braunfels	Comal River	Shorter urban float with the Tube Chute	Social groups and classic Texas tubing
New Braunfels and Gruene	Guadalupe River	Longer, more natural float with changing flow	Adventure-minded groups and longer outings

First, a reality check about tubing in Austin

Austin is an excellent place to begin a tubing trip, but it is not the best place to perform the actual floating.

Lady Bird Lake is popular for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, but entering the water to swim, bathe or wade is prohibited by city ordinance. That makes it a poor choice for traditional inner-tube floating, where falling off and climbing back on are part of the experience. (City of Austin)

When people advertise “Austin river tubing,” they generally mean one of two things:

1. Meet in Austin and ride organized transportation to the San Marcos River.
2. Drive south from Austin and rent directly from an outfitter.

Texas State Tubes currently offers a public trip that meets in downtown Austin, includes transportation and takes guests to its stretch of the San Marcos River. The listed experience lasts around six hours including transportation and starts at approximately $69 per person. A guide accompanies the group on the water. (Texas State Tubes)

Visit Austin also lists companies including ATXcursions and Frontera Tours as tubing-trip operators serving Austin visitors. Schedules and destinations can change with river conditions, so confirm the exact river, transportation arrangement and return time before booking. (Austin Texas)

Thunderfoot take

Use an Austin-based trip when nobody wants to drive, your group plans to drink or you are visiting without a vehicle.

Drive yourself when you want an earlier launch, more control over the schedule and the ability to choose between the town float, Martindale, the Comal or the Guadalupe.

Option 1: The short San Marcos town float

The downtown San Marcos float is the easiest place for many beginners to start.

The spring-fed San Marcos River stays around 72 degrees throughout the year. The town route typically takes about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on flow and crowds. It passes through the heart of San Marcos and ends near Rio Vista Park. (Visit San Marcos)

Where to rent

Lions Club Tube Rental operates from San Marcos City Park.

The current visitor information lists:

• $25 for a rental tube and unlimited shuttle use
• $15 for a shuttle pass when bringing your own tube
• Bottomed and bottomless tube options
• Return transportation from the end of the route (Visit San Marcos)

This is the most straightforward package for a family, couple or beginner who does not want to coordinate two vehicles.

Where to launch

Renters check in near City Park and enter the San Marcos River from the park area. The float travels downstream toward Rio Vista Park, where Lions Club shuttles return customers to the starting area. (Visit San Marcos)

Visitors bringing their own equipment can use designated public access points, but the rental-and-shuttle package removes most of the transportation guesswork.

What happens at Rio Vista

Rio Vista has three constructed drops commonly known as Rio Vista Falls.

Tubers who do not want to go over the drops should exit to the left before reaching them. Water levels, depth and debris can change from day to day, so do not assume the rapids will behave exactly as they did in someone else’s video. (Visit San Marcos)

The drops can dump riders out of tubes, separate groups and send unsecured phones, sunglasses and drinks downstream.

Sit upright, keep your feet forward, hold the tube handles and do not tie a huge cluster of tubes together before entering the rapids.

Parking

Nonresidents pay to park at City Park. The current fee schedule lists:

• First 30 minutes free
• $5 for up to one hour
• $10 for one to two hours
• $15 for three hours or longer
• $25 flat rate during designated holiday and special-event periods (Visit San Marcos)

Arrive early on summer weekends. A short float loses some of its charm after spending 45 minutes circling a full parking lot.

Best for

• First-time tubers
• Families
• Visitors with limited time
• People who want multiple short laps
• Groups wanting restaurants and downtown activities nearby

Option 2: The longer San Marcos River float near Martindale

The stretch downstream from San Marcos toward Martindale feels more like a traditional Texas river trip.

It generally takes around three hours and passes through a quieter, more natural setting than the town float. Two of the best-known outfitters are Don’s Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes. (Visit San Marcos)

Don’s Fish Camp

Address: 105 Nelle Lane, Martindale

Current San Marcos visitor information lists the package at approximately:

• $30 with a rental tube
• $19 when bringing your own tube
• Parking and shuttle included (Visit San Marcos)

You check in at the property, receive your equipment and follow the outfitter’s launch and shuttle process. This is much easier than attempting to identify a safe public entrance and coordinate a second vehicle downstream.

Texas State Tubes

Address: 2024 North Old Bastrop Highway, San Marcos

The walk-up trip lasts approximately three hours. Guests park and check in at the outfitter’s property, launch from there and take a shuttle back after exiting downstream. Texas State Tubes also provides transportation packages from Austin. (Texas State Tubes)

Visit San Marcos currently lists standard prices around:

• $30 for a tube rental
• $20 when bringing your own tube
• Reduced rates for some military members, students, teachers, first responders and children (Visit San Marcos)

Always verify the day’s price, launch cutoff and shuttle schedule directly with the company before driving over.

Best for

• Groups wanting a two- to three-hour float
• Austin visitors wanting organized transportation
• Adults looking for a more social float
• People who prefer scenery over repeated short laps
• Visitors comfortable spending several hours away from facilities

San Marcos River container rules

San Marcos has specific rules designed to reduce trash around its environmentally sensitive river.

Reusable drink containers are required in the water and along the riverbank. Disposable cans, bottles and drink pouches must remain in designated “Go Zones” away from the water. Glass and Styrofoam are prohibited, and coolers taken onto or beside the river are limited to one 30-quart cooler per person. (Visit San Marcos)

Snacks may be carried, but packaging needs to stay secured and leave the river with you.

The easiest approach is:

• Pour water or sports drinks into reusable bottles.
• Use reusable insulated cups.
• Place food into reusable containers.
• Bring a locking cooler.
• Carry a trash bag even when the outfitter provides one.

The river is not improved by adding your empty chip bag to its ecosystem.

Option 3: Tubing the Comal River in New Braunfels

The Comal is the classic New Braunfels float.

It is compact, spring-fed and passes through developed areas of town. The most memorable feature is the City Tube Chute, a former mill-race channel that creates a short, fast ride capable of ejecting riders and their possessions with impressive efficiency.

Where to rent

The City of New Braunfels maintains a list of licensed river outfitters that includes:

• Comal Tubes
• Corner Tubes
• Landa Falls
• Landa River Trips
• Rockin’ R River Rides
• Texas Tubes
• NB Toobs
• Tejas Tubos
• Paddle TX
• Float In (New Braunfels)

Outfitter packages commonly include some combination of tube rental, parking, river access and return shuttle service. Current private-outfitter pricing is often around $25, although prices vary by business, tube style, day and package. (Corner Tubes)

Using an outfitter is generally the least frustrating option because river parking and shuttle logistics can be more complicated than the float itself.

Public launch points for your own tube

People bringing personal tubes may enter at:

• Hinman Island Park
• Prince Solms Park near the City Tube Chute

The City estimates the self-guided float at approximately 1.5 to two hours, depending on flow and congestion. Tubers must exit at the Last Public Exit. Personal tubes may not exceed five feet in diameter. (New Braunfels)

Renting directly from the City Tube Chute

The City Tube Chute facility rents tubes during its seasonal operating schedule.

The current cost is:

• $15 rental fee
• $20 refundable deposit
• Parking not included
• No return shuttle (New Braunfels)

After leaving the river at the Last Public Exit, renters must walk approximately half a mile along South Union Avenue to return the tube. The walk usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. (New Braunfels)

That sounds manageable until you are carrying a wet tube, cooler and shoes while the Texas sun conducts a personal evaluation of your hydration strategy.

Weekend river fee

A $2 River Activity Wristband is required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Weekday access normally does not require the wristband. (New Braunfels)

The Tube Chute risk

The chute is fun, but it is not a theme-park ride with controlled spacing and padded walls.

New Braunfels officials have warned against tying large groups of tubes together before entering it. Connected tubes can fold, trap riders, block the channel and make rescue more difficult. Life jackets are strongly encouraged for weak swimmers and anyone uncomfortable in moving water. (MySA)

Separate the tubes before the chute. Meet again downstream.

Your friends will still be there, probably laughing at whoever lost a sandal.

Option 4: Tubing the Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe provides the most variable tubing experience in the New Braunfels area.

It is longer, more natural and more dependent on releases, rainfall and current flow. A route that is slow and shallow one weekend can be faster and more technical after rain.

Where to access the river in New Braunfels

The City identifies two public access parks:

Cypress Bend Park
503 Peace Avenue

River Acres Park
501 Fair Lane

Both river-access parks are normally open from 6:00 AM until midnight, subject to closures for high water or public safety. (New Braunfels)

These parks are useful for river access and recreation, but a true point-to-point tubing trip still requires a planned exit and transportation.

Where to rent

For the easiest Guadalupe float, use an outfitter based in New Braunfels, Gruene or along River Road.

Rockin’ R River Rides operates multiple locations and serves both the Comal and Guadalupe. Its main Gruene location is at 1405 Gruene Road. (Rockin’ R River Outfitters)

Other outfitters offer routes of different lengths depending on the launch location and flow. Some trips last around an hour, while others can occupy much of the day.

Ask these questions before paying:

• Which river are we floating?
• How long is today’s estimated trip?
• Is parking included?
• Is the shuttle before or after the float?
• What is the last launch time?
• What happens if the river closes?
• Are life jackets included?
• Where exactly is the exit?

Do not choose a route solely because someone described it as “the long one.” Four hours in low water can feel considerably longer than four hours of steady current.

Understanding Guadalupe River flow

The Guadalupe cannot be judged by appearance alone.

The City of New Braunfels uses flow levels to guide permitted activities inside city limits:

• 100–500 cubic feet per second: Normal recreation available
• 500–750 cfs: Caution for swimmers; life jackets required for children eight and younger
• 750–1,000 cfs: Caution for swimmers and tubers; life jackets required for everyone
• 1,000–3,000 cfs: Tubing prohibited; rafting and kayaking only
• Above 3,000 cfs: Recreation limited to guided rafting trips (New Braunfels)

There are no lifeguards stationed along the Guadalupe inside New Braunfels city limits. (New Braunfels)

An outfitter may cancel or reroute trips when conditions are technically open but inappropriate for its equipment or customer group. That is not an attempt to ruin your weekend. It is the reason the company would like everyone to return with the same number of customers it launched.

New Braunfels river container rules

The Comal and Guadalupe inside New Braunfels have a stricter disposable-container system than many visitors expect.

On the river:

• Disposable containers are prohibited.
• Glass and Styrofoam are prohibited.
• Disposable bottles, cans, food wrappers and zip-top bags are prohibited.
• Containers under five fluid ounces are prohibited.
• One cooler per person is allowed.
• Coolers may not exceed 30 quarts.
• Coolers must have a locking or latching lid.
• Each person is limited to two tubes.
• Speakers may not be audible beyond 50 feet. (New Braunfels)

Transfer food and drinks into reusable containers before leaving home.

Finding a grocery bag full of aluminum cans in the parking lot and attempting to reorganize the entire group beside the river is not an efficient opening ceremony.

Which river should you choose?

Choose the San Marcos town float when:

• You are tubing for the first time.
• Children are participating.
• You want a short trip.
• You prefer clear water and easy downtown access.
• You like the option of floating more than once.

Choose the Martindale stretch when:

• You want a two- to three-hour float.
• You want a more natural route.
• You are traveling from Austin.
• Your group wants a social outing with shuttle service.

Choose the Comal when:

• You want the traditional New Braunfels experience.
• Your group wants a shorter float.
• You want to experience the Tube Chute.
• You prefer a developed route with numerous outfitters.

Choose the Guadalupe when:

• You want a longer trip.
• You are comfortable with changing current and water levels.
• You prefer a more scenic Hill Country feel.
• You are willing to let the day’s river flow determine the plan.

What gear you actually need

Tubing does not require much equipment, which makes it easy to bring the wrong equipment.

Essential gear

A properly sized tube

A bottomed tube is more comfortable for beginners and protects against scraping shallow rocks. A bottomless tube drains easily and is popular in deeper water.

Secure water shoes

Wear shoes with heel straps or water sandals that stay attached. Flip-flops disappear quickly and provide little protection from rocks, shells, concrete and submerged debris.

Life jacket

Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends wearing a properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever you are in or near a river. Children, non-swimmers, weak swimmers and anyone entering faster water should wear one throughout the trip. (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

Reusable water bottle

Bring more drinking water than beer. The river cools your skin but does not hydrate your body.

Reef-safe or environmentally considerate sunscreen

Apply before entering and reapply according to the product instructions.

Hat and inexpensive sunglasses

Use a retaining strap. Do not bring the sunglasses you would be emotionally devastated to donate to the river.

Waterproof phone case

Use a floating case attached to your body or tube. A phone sitting loosely in a cup holder has already begun its journey toward becoming archaeological evidence.

Small locking cooler

Follow the local size and container rules. Secure it in a separate cooler tube rather than balancing it on your lap.

Trash bag or mesh litter bag

Everything that launches with you should exit with you.

Identification and payment card

Keep them sealed and attached to you. Some rental companies require identification or a deposit.

Useful extras

• Waterproof watch
• Small first-aid kit
• Towel and dry clothing in the vehicle
• Electrolyte drink
• Carabiners
• Short tube straps approved by the outfitter
• Portable air pump when bringing your own tube
• Waterproof pouch for keys
• Cheap backup sandals for the walk from the exit

The biggest tubing risks

Strong current and high water

A river can become unsafe long before it resembles a dramatic flood video.

Higher current reduces reaction time, pushes riders into obstacles and makes exits harder to reach. Respect closures and flow restrictions. (New Braunfels)

Low water

Low water creates its own hazards.

Tubes drag across rocks, riders stand up more often, and hidden objects become easier to strike. Keep your backside lifted when entering shallow sections and do not dive into water of unknown depth.

Rapids and chutes

Rio Vista Falls and the Comal Tube Chute can separate riders from tubes and belongings.

Wear a life jacket when uncertain, stay seated, keep feet forward and do not enter connected to a massive tube cluster.

Dams, spillways and restricted areas

Follow buoys, signs, fences and outfitter instructions. Do not attempt to climb dams or enter closed channels for a better video.

Foot entrapment

Avoid standing in fast-moving water deeper than your knees. A foot wedged beneath a rock can hold someone underwater while the current pushes against the body.

When unexpectedly swept downstream, float on your back with feet pointed forward and work diagonally toward shore.

Heat and dehydration

Tubers can spend several hours under direct sun with little shade.

Drink water before launching and throughout the float. Headache, dizziness, nausea, cramping and confusion are warning signs—not challenges issued by the river.

Thunderstorms and flash flooding

Central Texas weather can change quickly, and heavy rainfall upstream may affect the river even when the launch area looks manageable.

Check official alerts before leaving, watch the sky and exit when thunder begins. Never drive across a flooded low-water crossing.

Alcohol

Alcohol reduces balance, judgment and swimming ability while increasing dehydration.

Eat before launching, alternate alcohol with water and use a transportation service or designated driver.

A tube is not a magical legal zone where poor decisions become harmless.

Lost equipment

Phones, keys, wallets, sunglasses, sandals and jewelry are lost constantly.

Leave expensive items locked securely at home or the hotel. Anything taken on the river should float, attach or be replaceable.

Should you tie the tubes together?

A small group may use short connections on calm sections, but giant tube rafts create problems.

They are difficult to steer, can block other river users and become dangerous near rapids, trees, bridge pilings and the Tube Chute. New Braunfels officials specifically advise separating connected tubes before entering faster sections. (MySA)

Use a simple rule:

Tie together only where the water is open and calm. Disconnect before obstacles, rapids and exits.

A simple first-timer plan

The day before

• Select the river and route.
• Reserve the outfitter.
• Check closure notices and flow.
• Review local container rules.
• Prepare reusable drinks and food containers.
• Arrange transportation.
• Pack dry clothes.

At check-in

• Ask where the launch and exit are.
• Confirm the last shuttle time.
• Take a life jacket.
• Secure every item.
• Identify the weakest swimmer.
• Choose a meeting point in case the group becomes separated.

On the river

• Stay within sight of the group.
• Drink water.
• Keep shoes on.
• Disconnect before rapids.
• Follow signs and buoys.
• Begin moving toward the exit early.
• Never assume the next exit will be easier.

Afterward

• Confirm everyone is present.
• Return rental equipment.
• Check the vehicle before leaving.
• Drink water and eat.
• Inspect cuts and scrapes.
• Do not leave wet gear sealed in the vehicle unless you enjoy the smell of a high-school locker room.

Thunderfoot’s picks

Best for first-timers: San Marcos town float
Best for families: San Marcos town float with Lions Club
Best Austin departure: Organized San Marcos trip from downtown Austin
Best classic tubing experience: Comal River
Best longer adventure: Guadalupe River
Best adult group float: Martindale stretch of the San Marcos
Best chance of losing your sunglasses: The Comal Tube Chute
Best decision overall: Using an outfitter with parking and a shuttle

Final whistle

River tubing is one of the simplest ways to turn a hot Central Texas day into an outdoor adventure.

It is also an activity where a little preparation makes an enormous difference.

Austin gives you convenient transportation. San Marcos gives you clear spring water and flexible route lengths. The Comal delivers the famous Tube Chute and classic New Braunfels atmosphere. The Guadalupe provides the longer, more variable Hill Country float.

Choose the river that matches your group—not the one with the loudest social-media video.

Rent from a reputable outfitter. Know where you are launching and exiting. Wear secure shoes. Bring reusable containers. Use a life jacket when there is any doubt. Check the flow and weather before putting the tube in the water.

Then lean back, keep your feet pointed downstream and enjoy one of the best ways Texas has ever invented to temporarily stop caring what the temperature is.

Life is better outside—especially when the current is doing the walking.

River access, flows, closures, rental prices, fees and rules can change quickly. Confirm conditions with the appropriate city and outfitter on the day of your trip.