The Ultimate Guide to Tubing in New Braunfels (2024)

Tubing in New Braunfels can be the highlight of your summer if you plan correctly! This is my ultimate guide to tubing in New Braunfels.

New Braunfels, a charming city situated 30 minutes outside of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country, is known for its pristine rivers and stunning natural beauty. One of the most popular activities for tourists and locals alike is tubing the crystal clear waters of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.

I have lived in New Braunfels for the last 30 years and I am here to share all the best New Braunfels tubing info as well as my tips and tricks to ensure the best tubing experience.

This Post is all about the Best Tubing in New Braunfels.

Where to tube in New Braunfels?

The Comal River

The Comal river, the shortest river in Texas, is the most popular river for tubing in New Braunfels. It is also one of the cleanest rivers in the state. This makes it the perfect spot for swimming, tubing, and relaxing in the hot Texas sun.

The river flows thru Landa park, a 196-acre park that offers plenty of picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking trails. While you cant tube in Landa Park, there are tubing outfitters just outside the park that are perfect for beginning your float.

If you float the Comal, you will more than likely float thru the tube chute. This can be a very fun and exhilarating area. If you have small children or weak swimmers with you, you will want to get out and walk around. The tube chute moves very quickly and you do not want to get separated from your party.

The Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River is the place to be if you are looking for more adventure. It is known for its rapids and is a popular destination for kayaking and canoeing. However, there are also several sections of the river that are perfect for tubing. Especially in the summer months when the hot Texas sun is at its strongest.

One of the most popular spots to tube on the Guadalupe River is the “Horseshoe Loop.” The loop is a horseshoe-shaped bend in the river that provides a fun and exciting experience. There are a few fun rapids but nothing to intense. We use to float the horseshoe all the time when we were younger. You can just bring your own float and hop in on one side of the horseshoe. Once you get to the other side of the horseshoe, you just hop out and walk back to the first side and float again. There is no need for a shuttle service. The float lasts for a little over an hour and you can go as many times as you like.

There are several tubing outfitters in New Braunfels that offer rentals, shuttle services, life vests, and everything else you need for a fun and safe tubing experience. They also have experienced guides who can help you navigate the river and ensure that you have a great time.

Comal River Tubing Outfitters:

Texas Tubes:

Address: 250 Meusebach St.
Phone Number: 830-626-9900
Tube Rentals Price: $25 with or without bottom
Cooler Rental: $15
Float Time: 3 hour float
Life Jackets: Complimentary
Keys and ID: Texas tubes will hold your keys only with a valid photo id
Large Group Discounts: Call for prices

Comal Tubes:

Address: 1880 I-35BL
Shuttle Service: Round trip shuttle with tube rental and free parking
Phone Number: 830-387-4408
Tube Rentals Price: $30
Cooler Rental: $30 floating ice chest – includes a free bag of ice
Float Time: 2 hour float
Gift Shop: Stocks everything you need or may have forgotten

Landa Falls:

Address: 178 Landa Park Dr. – at the World-Famous Wurstfest Grounds
Parking: Free Parking
Shuttle: Free with inner tube rental – air-conditioned shuttle
Phone Number:
Tube Rentals Price: weekdays – $20 Weekends and Holidays $25
Float Time: 2.5 hours to Garden St. Bridge – this is the last tubers exit
Life Vests: Complimentary
Cooler Tube Combo: $25
2nd float: If time permits, you can float again for no additional cost

Tubing The Comal River with your own tube:

If you want to use your own tube, the best place to go is Prince Solms Park. There is a nominal fee for parking and you will probably need a wristband. From Prince Solms park you can float toward Schlitterbahn. Just remember that you will have to walk back so plan ahead and know where you want to get out. You will not have access to a shuttle service.

Also, you will go thru the tube shoot if you enter thru Prince Solms Park so if there are any weak swimmers in your party, be sure to get out and walk around.

You can also enter at Landa Falls for $20 with your own tube. Then you will be able to ride their shuttle back. They have free parking and an air-conditioned shuttle bus.

Guadalupe River Tubing Outfitters:

Rocking R River Rides

First option: Gruene

Address: 1405 Gruene Road
Parking: Free
Shuttle: Enter in Gruene location and the shuttle will pick you up at The Double
Phone Number: 830-626-9999
Tube Rentals Price: $25 and includes shuttle
Rafting Price: $40/person shuttle included
Float Time: 2-3 hour float
Cooler Tube Combo:
Float Type: leisurely, thru 3 natural rapids

Second Option: Huaco Raft

Address: 4484 River Road
Parking: Free
Shuttle: you will be shuttled upriver to begin your float and exit the river when you reach Huaco Raft
Phone Number: 830-626-9999
Tube Rentals Price: $25
Rafting Pirce: $40/person
Float Time: 5-6 hour float
Float Description: Scenic and natural float along River Road

Lone Star Float House

Located on River Road just past the 2nd crossing. They have live music and a menu featuring delicious burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

Address: 743 River Road
Parking: there is a parking fee but you will be reimbursed once you rent your tubes
Shuttle: Free with tube rental – the shuttle will take you up river and you will float back down to Lone Star Float House
Phone Number: 830-907-3866
Tube Rentals Price: $25/person with or without a bottom – trust me, you want a bottom!
Float Time: range 1-4 hours
Cooler Tube: $25 – does not include cooler – you can rent a cooler for $10
Pets: Dogs are allowed to float with you too

Tubing The Guadalupe River with your own tube:

Q&A

Is the Comal or Guadalupe River better for tubing?

You really can’t go wrong with either one. They each offer something a little different. The Comal is a little calmer and a more relaxing float. While the Guadalupe offers more rapids and a little more lively float.

How much is tubing in New Braunfels?

The typical price to tube in New Braunfels is between $20 and $25, depending on if you are floating on a weekend or holiday.

Can you tube the Comal River for free?

If you have your own tube you can definitely keep the costs down but you still need to purchase a wristband. One thing to keep in mind is that if you use your own tube, you won’t have access to a shuttle service to take you back to your car. So plan your route accordingly because you will need to walk. This is not uncommon as many people do this on the Comal. You’ll just want to plan ahead so you don’t end up too far away.

What are the rules for tubing in New Braunfels?

The Comal River is in the New Braunfels city limits so the rules are a little more strict.

Things to check before you head to the river:
River flow – From rain to lack of rain, to how much water they are releasing from the dam, there are many variables that can affect the river levels and the flow of the river. You will defiantly want to check the current river conditions before you head to New Braunfels.

Comal River Tubing Rules:

Things to Bring on Your Float Trip:

Alcohol is legal on the Comal and Guadalupe River
Sunglass straps – this is very important if you want to make it out with your sunglasses
Nondisposable Containers ex: flasks, thermoses, canteens, Yeti-type drink cups and tumblers, sports drink bottles, and hydration backpacks. Basically, a nondisposable container is anything you can use multiple times.
Cooler – Maximum size – 30 Quarts with locking mechanism
Speakers – cannot be audible beyond 50 feet
Tube or round flotation device – cannot exceed 5 ft in diameter – most double tubes exceed 5 ft and are not allowed. You will be ticketed by law enforcement if you try to take a double tube on the Comal river.

Things NOT to Bring on Your Float Trip:

**ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS ALLOWED ON ANY OF THE TEXAS RIVERS**

Plastic bottles
Glass bottles
Aluminum Cans
Beerbongs or funnels or any volume drinking device- not allowed
Anything styrofoam
Disposable Containers ex. water bottles, ziplock, plastic baggies, plastic grocery bags, alternatives -(waterproof cases for phone and cash) plastic utensils, cups, any glass item, one-time-use mini kegs, food wrappers, and packaging, napkins, paper towels, trash bags,

Tubing Safety

Life jackets are recommended for anyone under 8 years old and weak swimmers. If you have children or weak swimmers in your party, you will want to walk around the tube chute. The tube chute is where most people fall out of their tubes and It is very easy to get stuck in a circular floating pattern that can be very difficult to get out of even for strong swimmers. This has happened to me a few times and it is not fun.