float trip dallas

Texas' Best Float Trips Never Disappoint on Hot Summer Days

Looking for a way to escape the heat on those hot summer days? Well, if you are a Texan or are visiting the Lone Star State , we have a refreshing solution for you: plan a river float trip on one of Texas ' incredible rivers. Whether you are on an inner tube, a kayak, or a canoe, there is a breathtaking Texas river for you to explore and enjoy.

While a majority of the most popular rivers to float are located in central Texas and the gorgeous Texas Hill Country , you can even find some closer to Dallas , Fort Worth, and Houston for a quick getaway from the big city. Float trips are a guaranteed time to soak in that sun while simultaneously having family-friendly fun in the cold waters of a glorious spring-fed Texas river.

8 Best Texas Float Trips

1. san marcos river.

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Located within a quick drive of both San Antonio and Austin, the San Marcos River has some of the most crystal-clear waters in the state. Centered around Texas State University, this small town is a hot spot for tubing trips, canoeing, and kayaking. The river stays at a year-round temperature of 72 degrees and is home to a multitude of rare and endangered species. The "upper portion" is the most frequented section for floating and usually ends at Rio Vista Dam for picnics and more playtime. There are a handful of river outfitters for tube rentals, including Cool River Ranch , Lion's Club , Pecan Park , Don's Fish Camp , and Texas State Tubes .

2. Comal River

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The Comal River starts at the Comal Springs in Landa Park and flows 2.5 miles through the entirety of the city limits of New Braunfels before it meets up with the Guadalupe River. Early Spanish accounts say that the Comal was once called the "Little Guadalupe," but locals today call it the "longest shortest river in the world". The Comal River is also where one of the top waterparks in the world is located, Schlitterbahn .

The Comal also boasts a year-round temperature of around 72 degrees and is a great family-friendly option for a float trip, as it's less intense than other Texas rivers on this list. However, there is one man-made chute that diverts tubers around a dam. River tubing outfitters for rentals on the Comal include ATXcursions , Corner Tubes , Rockin' R River Rides , and Landa Falls .

3. Guadalupe River

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Arguably the most fun river float trip in Texas, the Guadalupe River is the longest river in the central Texas area. Flowing from Kerr County all the way into the San Antonio Bay at the Gulf of Mexico. This dammed river features Canyon Dam (forming Canyon Lake) and for simplicity's sake, is split into the upper and lower sections.

The upper portion in the Texas Hill Country has faster waters and limestone banks for taking pit stops as well as magnificent pecan and bald cypress trees for shade. The lower portion starts at Canyon Lake and has six reservoir dams along the way. While there are dozens of places to get your tube rentals from, some favorites include Whitewater Sports , Rockin' R River Rides , Tube Haus , and Gruene River Company .

4. Frio River

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If you are looking for a more secluding floating option, the Frio River ("cold" in Spanish) is the river trip for you. Tubers will not be disappointed with 47 miles of pristine river to float on hot summer days. Just be sure to check the river flow water levels to make sure the water is high enough to enjoy. Some parts of the river reside in dry counties, so keep that in mind if partaking in alcoholic beverages. Andy's on River Road , Happy Hollow Grocery , and Neal's Lodges all provide tube rentals for the Frio River — most are located in Concan, Texas, near Garner State Park

5. Brazos River

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Perfect the majority of the year for kayaking, canoeing, and inner tubing, the Brazos River presents another wonderful option for a river rafting trip. While this one is 170 miles from Austin and 130 from Dallas, it is one hundred percent worth the trip. As the river flow is calmer with little to no rapids, the Brazos is a great option for families. Ideal for a "D-I-Y" float trip, most tubers put in at Possum Kingdom Lake. However, if you want to rent from an outfitter, local companies include Brazos River Adventures , Dick's Place , and Hillbilly Haven Park (817-341-4009).

6. Medina River

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The Medina River starts off at the Edwards Plateau in northwest Bandera County then merges with the San Antonio River in Bexar County. With 120 miles of mainly secluded and beautiful riverfront, the Medina River is ideal if you are looking to get away from people and city noises. River outfitters for the Medina include Medina River Ranch Resort , S.A. Kayak Rentals , and Medina River Company .

7. The Trinity River

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When thinking of river trips in Texas, usually the Trinity River is not the first one that comes to mind. However, Trinity River is actually the longest river that flows entirely within the borders of the Lone Star State. (It's over 710 miles!) This is the closest river to the Dallas and Fort Worth area for a day of river floating. You rent rafting devices from Backwoods Paddlesports .

8. South Llano River

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A tributary of the mighty Colorado River with two spring-fed tributaries located just northwest of Austin, the Llano River presents more opportunities for soaking up the sun! The North and South Llano merge together east of a Junction, Texas, where the Llano River "proper" starts. This river is a gem for anglers but floaters can also enjoy its bountiful beauty. A popular "put-in" spot is Boone's crossing and then floating State Park. You can also put in at State Park and get out of Flat Rock. South Llano River Cabins or Sun & Fun Canoe rentals do not rent tubes but they do rent other rafting devices!

Important Information for Float Trips

When planning and embarking on a Texas float trip, be sure to always check river levels as recent rains (or lack of rains) can make tubing or rafting dangerous or inaccessible. Always follow local guidelines as far as alcohol consumption and other important issues are concerned. Frequently apply sunscreen (that is river-safe!) and stay away from styrofoam and other one-use plastics that may end up as litter in the river.

As always, pick up ALL of your trash. Bring a bag, take it with you, and dispose of your waste responsibly. Do NOT mess with Texas. If you are partaking in alcohol on the river, always have a designated driver or a safe ride home.

Fan of floating the river? Share your favorite summer hot spots in the U.S. with our Wide Open Roads Facebook !

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River Tubing: The 10 Best Rivers to Float in Texas

Is there a better way to beat the Texas heat than cooling off with a nice float down a river?

I submit that there’s not.

Which is why I have a habit of tubing the rivers any time the Texas weather starts getting too hot. And over the years, I’ve picked up a few favorites…

So grab a tube and hit the water! These are the X of the best rivers to float in Texas.

Map of the best rivers for floating and tubing in Texas

Blanco river, comal river, pedernales river, guadalupe river, south llano river, san marcos river, brazos river, trinity river, medina river.

Here’s a map to give you a rough idea of the best tubing spots in the state.

But keep in mind, these rivers are huge! So there’s plenty of additional places to begin your float along each of these rivers.

Whether you’re in San Antonio or Austin, the Blanco River is just an hour away. The spring-fed river offers up some of the most beautiful views of the Texas Hill Country. Unlike “party rivers” like the San Marcos River, Blanco is pretty chill. It’s the perfect river for folks who want a quieter, less rowdy experience.

To tube the river, you’ll need to pay $5 to enter the Blanco State Park. Tube rentals are open from 9 am – 2 pm and you need to return the tubes by 4 pm. Be sure to check the water level before you go, though. If the Blanco River is low, you could be stuck dragging your inner tubes across weeds and rocks, which is no fun.

• Address : 101 Park Road 23, Blanco, TX 78606
• Website : Blanco State Park

The Comal River is one of the most breathtaking rivers I’ve ever seen. The clean, clear water and lush trees make for a stunning sight that you can’t beat. You’re allowed to bring your own tubes if you have them, as long as they aren’t bigger than 5 feet wide. Start your float at either Hinmand Island Park or Prince Solms Park. On average, you can expect your float down the Comal to last about two hours.

Keep in mind that, if you don’t rent a tube, you’re on your own to hike back to where you parked your car. While it’s a 15-minute walk to the parking area, I highly recommend renting a tube and catching a shuttle. Nobody wants to walk after 2 hours on the river.

• Address : 100 Liebscher Dr, New Braunfels, TX 78130
• Website : Comal River

The Pedernales River has striking limestone formations and waterfalls that are a gorgeous sight. While some sections of the river are downright dangerous, you should be fine if you stick with the river’s approved tubing route. You can put your tubes in at Trammell’s Crossing Trail, which is well above the Pedernales Falls so it makes for a peaceful float.

Keep in mind that there aren’t as many tube rentals on the Pedernales, so you’ll likely want to bring your own. And be sure to book passes to the state park well in advance—it’s almost impossible to get reservations on busy weekends in the Spring and Summer.

• Address : 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
• Website : Pedernales Falls State Park

The Guadalupe is definitely more of a party river, meaning more tubers and more noise. But if you want a social atmosphere with awesome views, it’s still a great place to float! Depending on the river flow and your route, you can float for as little (2 hours) or as long (6 hours) as you want. Most folks rent tubes from some of the various tubing companies because of the convenient shuttle service.

• Address : 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
• Website : Guadalupe River State Park

Sick of murky river water? Float the stunningly clear spring-fed Frio River. Because it’s spring-fed, the river is a chilly 70 degrees even during the height of summer (hence the name “frio,” which means “cold” in Spanish). This is a massive 200-mile river with plenty of gorgeous sights like limestone formations, cypress trees, and wildlife.

If you start at the Seven Bluffs Crossing and tube all the way to Neal’s Crossing, you’ll spend about 7 hours on the river. I recommend paying for a tubing service to rent tubes, customize your route, and arrange for transportation back to your car.

• Address : 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838
• Website : Frio River

While the South Llano River is huge, the easiest way to float the river with your family is to stick with the 2 miles of tube-friendly riverfront at the South Llano River State Park. It costs $5 to enter the park for the day, although children under the age of 12 are free.

The park rents out tubes, but you’re allowed to bring your own. Because it’s just a 2-mile stretch of river, you can float this section of the South Llano in less than an hour. Best of all, you can repeat the trip to your heart’s content. Just be prepared to make the walk upstream!

• Address : 1927 Park Road 73, Junction, TX 76849
• Website : South Llano River State Park

The San Marcos River is what most people think of when you say “I’m going to float the river.” Because San Marcos is a college town, the river is definitely full of young partiers looking for a good time. It’s not unusual to see the river packed with tubers during the busy summer season.

You’ll start your float on the San Marcos River from City Park to Vista Park, which generally lasts about an hour. You’re permitted to bring your own tubes, but keep in mind that you won’t have access to a shuttle service unless you book one in advance. Either prepare yourself for the walk or pre-pay for a shuttle to take you back to the beginning of the river.

P.S. It’s illegal to “display alcoholic beverage consumption” and to have any glass containers, so discretion is advised.

• Address : 170 Charles Austin Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666
• Website : San Marcos River

I absolutely love the Brazos River. I like to stop at a rickety picnic spot off highway 281 and watch the glimmering water below. But you don’t have to watch this river from afar: you can float it in a tube, too! If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there are plenty of outfitters available to make your Brazos tubing dreams come true. 

Now, the Brazos is a fickle river, so if you plan to float it, it’s a good idea to call a tube service the day of. Make sure that there’s adequate water flow or you’ll spend your float time climbing over rocks.

• Address : 3901 St Park Rd 33, Caddo, TX 76429
• Website : Brazos River

The Trinity River is super close to Fort Worth, so it’s the perfect spot for tubing in North Texas. While I could go on and on about the Trinity River’s natural beauty, the real showstopper here is the live music!

Every Saturday in July – August you can catch live music as you float the river with the Rockin’ The River concert series. They even do a fireworks show after every performance, so this is a can’t-miss experience for North Texas tubing aficionados.

• Address : 325 Purcey Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
• Website : Rockin’ The River

You can enter the Medina River just outside of San Antonio near Bandera, Texas. If you want to avoid the hoopla and noise of partiers, the Medina River is definitely better suited for families looking for some quiet time on the river. The glass-green water is absolutely stunning and many tubers compare the sights on the Medina to a children’s storybook.

• Address : 5800 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78227
• Website : Medina River Natural Area

Tubing in Texas: The Ultimate Guide to Floating the River

River tubing in Texas is a statewide pastime: there’s no better way to beat the legendary Texas heat than by grabbing an inner tube and watching the gorgeous Texas countryside roll by while floating the river.

A long summer season gives Texans and visitors alike plenty of opportunities to cool off and have some fun floating the river in Texas.

There are dozens of rivers in Texas that offer opportunities to tube and swim during the summer months. 

Here are the best rivers to float in Texas, plus some essential Texas tubing tips for those heading out on their first float trip!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

10 Best Rivers to Float in Texas

Guadalupe river.

The most popular river for tubing in Texas, the Guadalupe is a favorite summer spot. With beautiful waters that are spring-fed and cool, it’s no wonder this is one of the places to be in Texas.

The most popular drop points of the Guadalupe River center around New Braunfels, San Marcos, Gruene, and San Antonio. With so many places to drop in and get out of the water, you can spend as much or as little time on the river as you wish.

Many of the towns along the Guadalupe River have cabins and camping spots for visitors to enjoy along the water. The state park and state troopers are very vigilant along the river. Leave your alcohol behind and don’t pack it in the cooler while you float down the river.

Comal River

The float along the Comal River is about 3 miles long. This is a beautiful stretch of river that is very family-friendly and one of the best rivers to float in Texas. As you float downriver, there are several sandbars to stop at for a picnic or a swim.

One of the benefits of the Comal is the amount of shade along the edges of the river from the massive oak trees. The Comal River feeds the Schlitterbahn resort in New Braunfels and is a relaxing and fun day trip.

Colorado River

The beautiful Colorado River is the longest river in Texas. While there are several rural areas where locals enjoy the river, the most popular area is in central Texas, just east of Austin.

Bastrop, Texas offers tubers a calming, steady float in the river with beautiful trees lining the banks of the river. This stretch of Texas is known for its wildlife, and people tubing the river can see a variety of birds and even some deer or rabbits as they relax on the cool waters of the Colorado River.  

Trinity River

If you are traveling near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Trinity River is a favorite North Texas stomping grounds for river tubing in Texas. One of the best parts about floating the Trinity are the bands that play on the river from June – August each summer.

The four hours of music, called Rocking the River, plays a variety of popular hits and various types of music.

Whether you are parking your vehicle or Ubering back to your hotel, floating the Trinity River creates an oasis in the middle of the DFW Metroplex.

Medina River

The Medina River flows past the small town of Bandera, Texas and into Medina Lake, about a half-hour northwest of San Antonio. While the river eventually flows down to the Gulf of Mexico, the best stretch to tube this river is around the area listed above.

The Medina River’s water level depends not just on springs but also on rainfall. The water level in spring and early summer is perfect for Texas tubing and has only mild rapids without any sharp drops as it meanders southeast toward the gulf. 

San Marcos River

This spring-fed river is a popular spot tubing spot with college-aged and young adults. It winds through the city of San Marcos and is close to Texas State University. The San Marcos River is known for its clear waters–in San Marcos, you can even take a snorkeling or glass-bottom boat tour on the river.

One bend of the river also popular for tubing is about thirty miles south of Austin, and is a popular day trip from the city. 

Blanco River

The Blanco River winds through the beautiful landscape of south Texas. The best tubing along this river is through Blanco State Park. The path along the Blanco has beautiful scenes of nature and is a relaxing, gentle float.

This is one of the best places in Texas to go tubing with kids, with several shores and alcoves to stop and enjoy a picnic or dip in the cool waters.

The Frio River is a beautiful, crystal clear stretch of water just about an hour west of San Antonio.

Arguably one of the absolute best rivers in Texas to float, the cold waters are a welcome relief under the hot Texas sun. The Frio has a rock bottom, which enables you to see clearly through to the bottom.

There are a lot of places to put in and get out along the Frio River, with companies willing to pick you up and take you back to your vehicle.

If you are tubing close to Concan, Texas, the river winds a lot in that area, enabling you to make it back to your vehicle with just a short hike. Wear river shoes when floating down this peaceful tubing paradise. 

South Llano River

The South Llano River is a slow-moving river that is perfect for families tubing with kids in Texas, or anyone looking for a leisurely, uncrowded float. Some of the easiest places to put in and get picked up are near and around South Llano State Park.

If you put in just north of the park, you can float through and get picked up outside the boundaries, or spend the night in one of the many cabins.

Don’t forget that alcoholic beverages are not permitted within the state park, so don’t hit the shores of the park with your beverage in hand.

Brazos River

A North Texas treasure, the beautiful Brazos River is relaxed and quiet. Tubers along this river will find it to be one of the least crowded of all the ones on this list, due to it not being near any major metropolitan areas.

Like many of the best rivers to float in Texas, it is located near a state park. Possum Kingdom State Park has camping, RV parks, and cabins provide plenty of overnight options for those tubers looking for a more private stretch of river.

Lower water levels in late summer give this river a faster current than travelers experience in May or June.

Essential Tips for Tubing in Texas

Bring lots of sunscreen..

The Texas sun beats down strong as you float the river in Texas. Make sure you bring enough sunscreen to reapply often, at least every two hours.

Don’t forget when you are tubing in TExas that your legs and feet need lots of sunscreen too, laying in a tube means lots of coverage for the whole front of your body.

Prepare for the sun.

A hat and sunglasses are a must to help protect your eyes and face from the sun. The water’s reflectiveness can really dry out your eyes and create eye burn. It’s also valuable to bring along an overshirt or swimsuit cover as backup protection.

Bring lots of water.

It is important to bring a lot of water with you. It is easy to get dehydrated under the hot Texas sun. You will definitely want to bring a bag or ice chest with at least two bottles of water per person.

If you are going to be on the river for more than four hours, increase the amount of water per person.

Bring snacks.

If you are going to be on the water for more than two hours, then snacks become a must. It doesn’t seem like floating the river in Texas would create an appetite, but it will. The best thing to do is to put all your snacks in a double layer of ziplock bags to prevent them from getting soggy.

Pick your tube carefully.

There are two things to keep in mind when buying or renting a tube, don’t get the black ones if you’re in a sunny area, and make sure it has a cup holder. The big black tubes get hot in the sun and can burn your skin. Blisters on the underside of your arms and legs are possible, especially for kids.

The best tubes are lighter in color and have netting on the bottom. Cup holders are convenient and easy for holding your drink or your snack so your hands are free.

No glass bottles and no styrofoam.

This is essential not just for the environment but also for the safety of everyone on the river. Glass bottles are a huge no-no on the river, or any water in Texas. Plastic bottles and cans are always your best bet. No styrofoam either, it is toxic for the fish and wildlife.

Check alcohol rules carefully.

Drinking a beer (or two) on the river is a time-honored Texas pastime, but not all rivers allow alcoholic drinks–that especially goes for state parks.

If you plan to bring alcohol on your river float in Texas, check the rules at your destination carefully before setting out.

Bring a Trash Bag.

Don’t mess with Texas! When hitting the river, bring along one of the yellow or orange water trash bags that can be gotten at any tubing or supply store.

These are great because the water flows through them and can be strung along behind you float, and they make it easy to keep your trash together for easy disposable at the end of your day tubing in Texas.

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Brazos River in Texas

Trip overview.

This has arguably become one of the more popular float trips in Texas. It's convenient to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex and gentle enough for all ages. Weekends during the spring and summer are crowded so hit it midweek or during the off season if you prefer solitude.

This trip begins at Hwy 16, just below a masonry arch bridge cut from limestone, completed in 1943. It ends just past the Dark Valley bridge on Farm to Market road 4. As the crow flies it's about 5 miles or so between the bridges. As the river winds it's 19.5 miles.

This segment of river is roughly in the shape of a cursive "W", dominated by a geographical feature known as Schoolhouse Mountain, a long ridge running roughly north and south nearly filling up the entire first loop of the "W". This is part of the Palo Pinto range of mountains which pop up out of nowhere in a part of Texas that is generally flat to gently rolling prairie.

My younger brother Daryl and I parked our truck at the hwy 16 bridge and unloaded 2 Oldtowns and enough gear to get us to the Gulf of Mexico. This is actually an improvement over my last trip on which I carried enough to get around the world, or the one before that which could have got me to the moon and back. So I am improving at lightening my load. The outfitter, "Rochelles Canoe Rental" by name, would come pick up the truck and park it at the take out. They actually own a lot of land at the take out and live there. They have a small store and office there and a big campground. There was a group of 6 or 7 kayak fisherman putting in ahead of us. They would be the only other paddlers on the river this weekend.

It was a fine autumn day in early November. Sunny and 70 degrees. Wasnt much water in the river, 45 cfs according the Graford flow gauge at the bridge. But it was enough to float us with an occasional paddle scrape on the river bottom. The water is cold and clear. Enough so that there is a population of hatchery stocked trout between the dam and the bridge. They're fun to catch and make excellent forage for the huge striped bass, largemouth, and hybrid stripers that are caught in great numbers and sizes here. There was no wind blowing so the water was nice and calm. It reflected the tree covered hills and the deep blue autumn sky. Every rock and pebble and occasional fish could be seen through the clear shallow water. The trees were in their fall colors, making horizontal bands of red and gold and shades of greens.

The first bend of the river comes quickly as the Brazos runs into a high sandstone bluff and turns you left in a north east direction through a small riffle that allows you to quit paddling for a second and enjoy the scenery. Just downstream on river left are more high bluffs, scooped out near the top, yellow underneath and gray on top, crowned with cactus and cedar. After another half mile or so the river bends east for a long lazy mile past huge boulders near the shore and the ever present views of the surrounding hills and bluffs. The water remained shallow with a few deep spots.

The day wears on, a beautiful day, sunny with a light breeze. Lunch is summer sausage, crackers and fruit at mile 5, then we push on. Dark comes early in November, and the shadows grow long as the river starts to turn back east at the bottom of Fortune Bend. I keep expecting to hear the rapids that mark the approach of Ioni Creek. We pass some nice campsites, and I should really stop, knowing from experience that the one you skip may be the last good spot for a long ways. Daryl puts this into words, but I push us on, being goal oriented and all, wanting to keep to the trip schedule I had set back home. I'm learning to be more flexible concerning these matters when I'm on the river, but I still have far to go. It's just bad habits from the old rat race. We had set aside 3 days for this trip. So there wasn't any hurry. Yet hurry I do, past high, level, tree shaded, wind shielded campsites on river left. On river right scenic bluffs and ridge's tower over us, behind which drops the sun, taking some of it's warmth and light with it.

Finally the mouth of Ioni Creek appears on river right. In front of the creek is an island which splits the river, the main channel on river left carrying us away from the creek, picking up speed as it heads toward the first of only two genuine rapids on this trip. Not a good looking camping spot in site. No time to stop. Getting dark.

The rapid is a long, straight chute, and a wave train from start to finish. The canoes scrapes bottom a couple of times, not enough to slow us down and we fly right through. A fun little rapid.

Back in the 1870's a settler was killed by Comanches about a half mile up from the mouth of Ioni Creek. I think about this as we pass the creek, and regret we hadn't found a site to camp there. The plan was to paddle up the creek the next day to get the feel of the place and think about the early settlers and the Indians. John Graves tells all about the incident in his book.

Half a mile past the creek and we're looking hard for a place to put in for the night. The right bank is steep and heavily wooded, the left bank looks better, it's flat and somewhat open, but covered with brush and weeds all the way to the bank. Daryl spots an opening in the weed that looks like a well worn trail. It's in a very small covelike area, an indentation in the bank. The water is shallow next to the bank so we cruise over and tie up to a stout mesquite tree, the canoes in the water between the bank and a small island of reeds. There's a nice opening 10 yards inland, about 6 feet above water level. We set up in near dark, get a fire going, get into our winter clothes, and heat up some homemade spaghetti. The night is dark, clear and cold getting colder. We smoke cigarettes, drink beer, eat snack crackers and such until bedtime. We dont have a view of the river, but are surrounded by brush, mesquite trees and high weeds. It's a warm pocket of dancing firelight framed by the cold dark winter night.

I leave some water in a pan outside the tent, and the next morning it is frozen over with about a quarter inch of ice. We have oatmeal, fruit and coffee for breakfast. By 8:00 a.m. we are loaded up and on the river. The original plan was to just spend the day where we camped so we could fish and laze around and just generally enjoy the river. But we want to find a more scenic campsite to pursue this, so off we go.

The river now bends back to the north east in a long calm pool between heavily wooded rocky banks. On river left just downstream of our camp, we pass a really nice dock. The part of the dock that's on shore is covered and underneath are tables, benches, a big smoker, and up hill from the dock is a house. No one seems to be home though. This is the first sign of civilization we've seen since we put in.

We're almost to the top of the middle of the "W" now, going into Crawford Bend. A long, broad pool, and as it starts to bend back south we hit our first strong headwinds of the trip. Strong enough to whitecap the water. Most trip reports on this stretch of river list the only hazards as being the heat in summer, dam releases, and brutal head winds. On our left is another high ridge, and overlooking the river from the ridge top is a strange looking house. It is totally white and shaped in a long oval, projecting out from the bluff with a wraparound porch. Under the overhang, above the porch are a series of what look like cameras. Kinda weird. We see an island coming up downstream, flat and level, and here we will camp. It'll get us out of the headwinds, and since it's still early in the day we'll have plenty of time to loaf and just enjoy the river.

And that's what we do. The island is long enough to hike and explore and hunt (fruitlessly) for arrowheads. There are lots of artifacts to be found up here. The area is rich in Native American history, including many stories of warfare between the Comanche and the Anglo settlers. And we fish, also fruitlessly. So at supper time what would have been fish soup is just vegetable soup. But along with cornbread and beans it works for us. Then it's just sitting around under the stars till shut eye. Nice.

We are in the middle of Chick Bend, and as we come out of the bend we are heading north, toward the top of the "W". We pass an island that is at least a half mile long with some excellent campsites. It is high off the water, level and has many pecan, mesquite, elm and willow trees. The river is shallower now, and we scrape across several shallow shoals, some which require getting out and dragging the canoes for short distances. The river bottom is level and mostly sand and gravel, pretty easy for walking. Daryl spots some turkeys on this stretch. They disappear like ghosts in the brush before I can take their picture.

Unlike the two previous days, this day is gray and in the 50's with occasional drizzle. The river is also gray and the fall colors are more subdued.

In the deep pools, I let a spinnerbait troll behind me and catch a 13 inch spotted bass that puts up a great fight. First fish of the trip. Would have been supper last night. But maybe not. 13 inches might not be legal.

The river bends northwest at approximately mile 16. Kyle Mt. is on our right. Local lore tells of a hairy manlike beast that haunts the area around the mountain. This legend may have originated around the campfires of a longtime Boy Scout Camp located just up the river.

At mile 17 another sharp bend, to the west northwest. Dalton Bend. The river runs into a high wooded bluff, turns right and splits around a small island. There are nice fast riffles on both sides of the island, but halfway through a short drag is required. Then a long two mile stretch. The river is broad but shallow on this stretch. Our paddles scrape bottom constantly. A couple of times we need to get out and drag. The rain comes down pretty hard for a while. Near the end of this stretch, on river right, are some yellow rock bluffs that edge the river for about a half mile. Graves describes them as "curiously arching cliffs." We paddle over to touch the rough surfaces. It's very hushed and still next to the bluffs. The water is deep and very dark green, like jade. A drum, a 3 pounder maybe, hits my spinner and after a good fight falls off right at the edge of the boat, saving me the trouble of removing the hook.

At mile 18 or so the river makes one last slight bend straight west. Theres a little zig zag rapid with a jagged pipe sticking out of the left bank. One of us avoids the pipe, and warns the other, "Watch out for the pipe!" One of us gets stuck against the pipe and has to get out and pull the canoe down the rest of the shoal into the deeper water. One laughs uncontrollably while the other shoots back angry looks. It will make for good campfire talk later.

The river stays wide and shallow. The wind has been mostly at our back all morning. Both banks are high, steep and heavily wooded. From river left a bald eagle flushes from a treetop and flies on down and across the Brazos to disappear into the treeline. The Dark Valley Bridge (our takeout) is in sight. Daryl, trailing behind me, spots some wild hogs.

The second and last genuine rapid on this trip is right under the bridge. It's sort of an "S" shaped rapid with a few big rocks to avoid, a class 1. At this low level it wasnt much more than a shoal. At higher levels it's a lot of fun. At real high levels you need to be careful to avoid wrapping around the bridge piling. Just before the bridge, Dark Valley Creek comes in on river left. Just after the creek is the take out at Rochelles. We beached the canoes and from the river I could see my old blue Chevy pickup on top of the hill, right where Buddy Rochelle had parked it. We weathered quite a rainstorm for a couple of hours, then it cleared up somewhat and we stayed at Rochelles campground that night before heading home the next morning.

This had been a great trip. We didn't have to deal with the notorious brutal southerly headwinds that this trip is famous for. Those come more with the spring and summer. As does many more people. Fall trips are excellent on the Brazos. Just do it.

Accommodations:

Rochelles has plenty of primitive campsites at take out and a restroom.

Outfitting:

Oldtown Guide 147 Oldtown Discovery 133

Shuttle-$30 Parking $3 per day Camping at takeout $10 per night

Directions:

From Dallas take I-20 west to Weatherford. Take US Hwy 180 exit at Weatherford. West on 180 to Palo Pinto. Take FM 4 north from Palo Pinto about 15 miles to Dark Valley Bridge.

Google "Rochelles on the Brazos" for rental info Texas Rivers and Rapids Google Earth

Trip Details

• Trip Duration: 2-3 Day Trip
• Sport/Activity: Canoeing
• Skill Level: Beginner
• Water Type: River/Creek (Up to Class II)

Trip Location

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Relocating to DFW

The ultimate guide to floating the river in texas.

Floating the river is one of our favorite pastimes here in Texas, especially as Summer rolls around! There’s no better way to beat the heat than grabbing a tube & floating down the river with some booze, friends, & tunes, so we’ve created your guide to floating the river here in Texas and some pro tips for you first-timers!

Updated May 2023

RIVERS TO FLOAT & RENT TUBES

River Floating

Guadalupe river.

Location : New Braunfels Time : 2-6 hour floats Water : More rugged with rapids Vibes : Party atmosphere  Tubes :  Rockin' R ,  Whitewater Sports , and  Lone Star Float House

Comal River

Location : New Braunfels Time : Shortest float; 1-2 hrs Water : Limited rapids Vibes : Best for families  Tubes :  444 Tubing Company ,  Rockin' R , and  Comal Tubes

San Marcos River

Location : San Marcos Time : 1-3 hrs Water : Some small rapids Vibes : The biggest party river Tubes :  Texas State Tubes ,  Don's Fish Camp , and  Lions Club of San Marcos

Location : Concan Time : 3-7 hours Water : Clear, cold and calm Vibes : Secluded & the most beautiful Tubes :  Andy's on River Road , and  Josh's Frio River Outfitters

BYOF(loat) RIVERS

Blanco River

Enjoy a relaxing float with family-friendly crowds and a slower pace, located in Blanco, Texas.  

Colorado River

Float the longest river in Texas with tree-lined views and occasional wildlife spottings! Located in Bastrop, Texas.  

Pedernales Falls State Park

Kick back on your tube and enjoy a lazy float in this slower river with pretty scenery, located in Johnson City.  

Llano River

Bring your tubes and enjoy a family float trip at this calmer spot! Located in Junction, Texas.  

Medina River

Escape the crowds at this peaceful float with stunning scenic views, located in Bandera.  

Trinity River

Enjoy summer events like their Rockin’ the River live concert series, or rent a kayak instead of a tube! Located in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pack a waterproof speaker.

Leave the valuables at home (prepare to lose things).

Bring cash for easy entry!

Bring a cooler + a tube for it to float on (connect it to your tube with a rope).

Pack all food & beverages in reusable containers.

Wear water shoes.

Pre-book your tubes online before your trip.

Check water levels & flow speed before you go.

Wear sunscreen & reapply often.

& most importantly...HAVE FUN!

Each river has a slightly different set of rules so make sure to check the river you plan to float before going!

In general:

• Some rivers have a can ban and require that all food & alcohol must be in non-disposable containers 
• No glass or styrofoam 
• No jumping from bridges, dams, trees, or cliffs

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Frio River Tubing Rafting and Kayaking

Floating the frio river, texas.

We all know by now that Texas is hot. And when it's scorching outside, there's no better river than the Frio.

Cold. Beautiful. Big. Secluded. That's the Frio. Spanish for "cold", the Frio is a great tubing river for those that want to get away from the crowds. Where the Guadalupe is the party river, the Frio is the unadulterated gem of Texas.

Frio River Tubing

The Frio is 47 miles of secluded beauty. High limestone bluffs. Enormous cypress trees. Boulders. Clear water. Even more than the Guadalupe river, this is a river of vast changes.

"Optimum" flows vary from 100 to 1000 CFS. Check with an outfitter for day to day knowledge.

Frio River Toobing

This river is outside the traditional central Texas area.

Distance from major Texas cities:

• Austin: 140 miles
• San Antonio: 80 miles
• Dallas: 350 miles
• Houston: 310 miles.

Alcohol Note! The Frio is surrounded by many "dry" (aka they don't sell alcohol) counties. Make sure to bring your own from elsewhere.

Access Points for the Frio River

• County Road crossing near Kent at 0.0 miles
• US Highway 83 bridge at 10.0 miles
• Bridge on FM 337 east of Leakey at 12.0 miles
• Bridge off FM 1120 southeast of Leakey at 14.0 miles
• FM 1120 crossing west of Rio Frio at 18.0 miles
• Bridge off FM 1050 at 20.0 miles
• Garner State Park on river left at 21.5 miles
• Magers Crossing at 23.0 miles
• Third River Road Crossing on County Road 348 at 26.5 miles
• Second River Road Crossing at 28.5 miles
• Neal's Lodge Campground on river right just above the Highway 127 crossing southeast of Concan at 31.0 miles.

Click for our Frio river tubing companies here .

Click for info on Current Frio river flow rates

Floating & Rafting Trips

• Tubing Trips
• Rafting Trips
• Bring Tubes, or Rent?
• Tubing for Families
• Coolers and Alcohol

Rivers of Texas

• Guadalupe River
• Comal River
• San Marcos River
• Brazos River

Trip Planning

• Outfitters & Rentals
• River Flow Rates
• Weather Reports
• Gear & Packing Lists

Where to Stay

• Motels & Hotels
• Camp and RV
• Cabins & Cottages
• Legal & Safety Info
• Advertising

We Recommend the Following:

• Shanty Tubes Guadalupe tubing on the Horseshoe! Many floats available - 830-964-3990 www.shantytubes.com
• Lion's Club Tubing Tube the San Marcos river, easy! Shuttles, tubes, air, all at City Park. www.tubesanmarcos.com
• Original Tube Haus (1978) Guadalupe River Tubing - No “Can Ban”, bring your favorite drinks & snacks for your all day FUN FLOAT! www.TubeHaus.com
• Hill Country Cottages Stay in our inviting cabins, close to everything! Can sleep 4-8. Reserve one now! www.hillcountryrvresortnb.com
• Gruene River Company Guadalupe tubing from the Horseshoe to Hueco Falls. In Gruene - 830-625-2800 www.gruenerivercompany.com

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Love water sports like we do? Find ideas on how to spend time on the rivers in the recommended section. Rafting or kayaking are also lots of fun.

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Places to Go Tubing Near Dallas, Texas

When summer temperatures soar above 100 degrees, tucking your body into an inner tube and jumping in a cool river is the ticket to sweet relief. While Dallas tubing enthusiasts aren't afraid to make a trip of more than 200 miles to New Braunfels -- the state's tubing capital and one of the few places to go whitewater tubing -- you'll find a few hotspots you can reach in less than two hours.

Love That Dirty Water

The Trinity River in Fort Worth offers the closest area to Dallas to go tubing. Although industrial waste and sewage once emptied into the river, cleanup efforts brought the waters to safe standards for swimming.The Trinity River Vision Authority hosts tubing events on the river throughout the summer. The summer tubing and music series lets you float around Panther Island Pavilion to listen to three bands each Thursday night throughout the summer. Tubes are available for rent on-site.

Braving the Brazos

More than 70 miles of the Brazos River is suitable for tubing, with the two most popular areas lying downstream of the Possum Kingdom Reservoir and Lake Granbury. You can put your tube on the river just below the Possum Kingdom Dam at a Brazos River Authority access point where you can camp, picnic or use the restroom. You'll find free public access points every 3.5 miles. Below Lake Granbury, access the river at one of four public points upstream from Glen Rose.

Off to Great Places

The Paluxy River at Glen Rose provides a scenic park-to-park run beginning in its historic downtown. You can access the river at Big Rock Park, which is named for large rock formations that provide places to picnic at water's edge. About six miles downstream, you'll tube through tracks left by a giant sauropod at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Extend your adventure by camping overnight at one of the park's hike-in tent sites or one of 46 sites with water and electricity.

Whitewater Pilgrimage

The state's premier whitewater tubing destination lies 243 miles south of Dallas in New Braunfels. Get your tube on the water at Landa Park to float more than two miles of the Comal River as you twist through a tube chute and tumble through rapids. The Comal connects with the Guadalupe River, which is the state's most popular whitewater tubing river, running from Canyon Lake through town with tube chutes, rapids and boulder gardens. Outfitters in New Braunfels provide tubes, shuttles and a range of trip options.

Special Rules

You can bring beer and other alcoholic beverages on all Texas rivers, just not in glass containers. New Braunfels does not allow beverages in cans or other throw-away containers on the river within city limits to cut the mountains of trash past tubing seasons left in their wake. Pour beverages into a large, reusable container available at most convenience marts. Polystyrene foam coolers are prohibited on the rivers, so strap a plastic or vinyl cooler into a tube to keep your drinks and snacks cold.

• Dinosaur Valley State Park
• Historic Downtown Glen Rose: Big Rocks Park
• Trinity River Vision Authority: Rockin' the River Live on the Trinity
• City of New Braunfels: Comal and Guadalupe Rivers

About the Author

Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring.

Photo Credits

• Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Tubing in Texas: Your Ultimate Guide to Float the River in Texas

By: Author texasonly

Tubing in Texas is almost a right of passage in the state.

Of course, most of us start out floating the river in Texas just to beat the swelting summer heat.

It seems that it later becomes a past time.

You know, a way to socialize and hang out with friends.

Well, whatever your reason for wanting to float the river in Texas , you have plenty of rivers to choose from to make it happen.

As Texas natives, we have been floating the rivers in Texas for years, so you are in good hands.

We have outlined some of the best Texas rivers for a float trip and given you some valuable tips just in case this is your first time to float the river.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Join the texas travel community and get a free texas bucket list checklist, best rivers to go tubing in texas.

One of the best rivers in Texas to go tubing if you like a quiet environment is the Frio River.

Running through the Texas Hill Country, the Frio River is located is a little more remote setting than some of the other rivers on our list. T

hat means you can easily come here to escape the heat and some of the crowds.

When floating this spring fed river, you find yourself surrounded by tall limestone bluffs and gorgeous cypress trees.

Easy access points include Garner State Park, one of the state parks near San Antonio that we love, US Highway 83 bridge, Magers crossing, and the FM 1120 crossing West of Rio Frior.

Read Next : 7 Perfect Texas Road Trips

Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River is a super popular place for tubing.

That could be attributed to the fact that the river runs 230 miles from Central Texas to the Gulf of Mexico.

The cool waters near San Antonio, the shade from the cypress trees, and the mild rapids makes floating here a really enjoyable experience.

There are numerous river outfitters servicing the Guadalupe River near San Antonio, so it is easy to rent tubes and shuttle service for your tubing adventure.

A popular float on the Guadalupe River is the Horseshoe Loop. This relaxing float takes about two hours depending on the water levels of the river.

Popular towns for floating near here include Canyon Lake, New Braunfels , San Antonio , San Marcos.

Read Next : 15 Fun Things To Do In Canyon Lake, TX

San Marcos River

Another popular Texas tubing destination is the San Marcos River in the small town of San Marcos, Texas.

Grab your inner tube and head to one of the most popular river tubing spots in Texas.

Honestly, floating in San Marcos is always a party!

I guess that can be attributed to the fact that it is so close to Texas State University.

The San Marcos River is a tributary of the Guadalupe River and boasts crystal clear water for tubing that is a cool 72°F during the summer months.

Located about 30 minutes from Austin , a float on the San Marcos River makes for one of the easy weekend getaways in Texas .

Read Next : Driving From Dallas to San Antonio: Stops and Tips!

Comal River

Another favorite in the Lone Star State for river floating is the Comal River, and our favorite place to place to hit the Comal River is in the Texas small town of New Braunfels .

One of the most popular access points to float the Comal is in the city park, Landa Park.

Here, you can easily throw your inner tube in the water and get ready for your 2-2.5 hour float.

If you don’t have your own tubes, then you can rent them at one of the tube rentals in the area.

Tubers here definitely bring the party. It is not uncommon to see people tubes toting their ice chest filled with alcoholic beverages and a speaker blasting their favorite tunes.

That’s one of the things we love about tubing in Texas, it is always a good time.

Read Next : Dallas Date Ideas 60 Fun & Unique Choices

South Llano River

Head to the South Llano River located in Austin, TX for a fabulous day out on the river.

The 100-mile South Llano River is a tributary of the Colorado River, making it a great place to escaper all summer long.

Visit the area of the river around the South Llano State Park to enjoy one of the hidden gems in Texas.

This area is very family friendly boasting a nice park, beautiful landscape, and the amenities of the park.

Other access points besides the state park include Castell crossing, Boone’s crossing, and Pete’s Pecan Patch near Junction just to name a few.

Read Next : Weekend Getaways From Dallas: 20 Great Choices

Pedernales River

A great Texas Hill Country state park on the way from Austin to Fredericksburg is our next suggestion for Texas tubing river, Pedernales Falls.

When you visit Pedernales Falls, not only will you be able to see one of the fun waterfalls in Texas , but you can also use it as an access point for river tubing.

If floating the river from here, take note that there is no equipment rentals at the park, so you have to show up with your tubes.

Read Next : 14 Fun Lakes in Dallas (& Nearby)

Brazos River

The Brazos River is one of the less popular rivers to float in Texas, so if you are a fan of having your own space, then the Brazos is for you.

Located near the town of Caddo, Texas, this river is pretty remote, so you might just have it all to yourself.

Be sure and visit before summer’s end to take advantage of the best current as the Brazos River will vary according to rainfall.

Pay careful attention in late summer as the water levels may be too low for tubing.

You can put in at Possum Kingdom State Park, one of our favorite state parks near the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Read Next : 41 Free Things To Do In Houston

Medina River

Another of the great spring fed rivers in Texas is the Medina River.

This beautiful river runs 120-miles through the hill country.

Due to its more remote location, floating the Medina River is a relaxing, but scenic float.

Put in at the town of Bandera, Texas where they offer tube rentals and a shuttle service.

Despite being a spring fed river, the Medina River still varies based on rainfall.

Colorado River

Running the expanse of seven states, the Colorado River is the longest river in Texas, and the perfect place for your next river tubing adventure.

Many people bring camping supplies, and make floating the Colorado a multi-day excursion!

Floating the Colorado is a relaxing experience as the flow is mild on this river.

You can just kick back and enjoy the gorgeous Texas scenery that surrounds you!

Read Next : 20 Fabulous Beaches in Texas

Trinity River

Being born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, there was a time when I would have NEVER suggested that you get in the Trinity River.

But, thanks to the concerted efforts of local businesses and citizens, the Trinity River is now a source of pride for the Dallas Fort Worth area, and I am happy to include it on this list.

Every Saturdays during the summer, well through mid-August, you can join the locals when you grab a tube and participate in the Rockin’ the River Festival with live music and fun.

One of the many reasons I love Texas!

Read Next : 12 Lakes in Austin (& Nearby) That You Will Love

Blanco River

You will find the Blanco River winding its way through south Texas.

Floating this gorgeous river will take you past waterfalls, tall pecan and cypress trees, and gorgeous Texas landscape.

The float is relaxing and gentle as the current is this river is relatively mild.

Our favorite place to access the Blanco is at Blanco State Park.

Here you can get all of the needed equipment for a fun day out on the water.

Of course, the park also offers other amenities like rest rooms, a swimming area, and more.

Read Next : Great Lavender Fields and Lavender Festivals To Visit in Texas

Top Tips To Float The River-Texas

Choose your tube wisely.

Believe it or not, not all tubes are created equally. We learned this the hard way!

I would advise to avoid the black tubes if at all possible as they get very hot when reflecting the Texas sun.

We like lighter colored tubes that have a cup holder and handles.

The handles are great for tying a rope onto, and the cup holder is perfect to hold your drink!

Wear Water Shoes

One of the most important things to consider when you choose to float the river in Texas is to always protect yourself.

A part of that protection is to protect your feet.

Water shoes are essential when floating the river as you never know what is on the ground.

These shoes will keep your feet safe while you enter and exit the water and while you are in the water.

Read Next : 23 Fabulous Things To Do In Corpus Christi

Bring Sun Protection

The Texas sun can be unforgiving, especially when it is reflecting off of the river water or the inner tube.

Be sure that you protect your skin and don’t get a sunburn by bringing plenty of sunscreen and reapplying it often.

Of course, just having sunscreen isn’t enough.

You will definitely want to also include sunglasses, a hat, and a shirt or swimsuit cover up.

Bring Lots of Water

Staying hydrated is an important part of staying safe in the sun.

Be sure that you have several bottles of water per person for your float.

We recommend bringing an ice chest and getting a special tube to hold it so that you can keep your water cold.

Read Next : The 20 Best Places To Visit In Texas

Grab The Snacks

Don’t forget the snacks when planning a day out on the river.

We like to bring cheese, cold cuts, nuts, and something sweet, just not chocolate!

This is another time when that ice chest we mentioned above will come in handy.

You can throw your snack in the ice chest to help keep them protected from the river water.

You can put your snacks in two ziplock bags to help protect them.

Of course, you also want to bring a trash bag to throw your trash in.

No Glass or Styrofoam

Whatever you do, please don’t bring glass containers or Styrofoam to the Texas rivers.

Of course, glass bottles are a given, but most people don’t realize the impact of Styrofoam.

Styrofoam is harmful to the fish and wildlife in the area, so it is a big no no.

Read Next : Souvenirs From Texas That Make Great Gifts

Don’t Bring Valuables

Our motto is don’t bring anything that you don’t want to lose, because it will happen.

You might drop your phone into the river, or accidentally dump your ice chest. It does happen!

We leave our designer sunglass and our favorite hats at home.

Always Check The Water Flow

The water flow of the river you are planning to visit can make or break your trip.

By checking the flow rate, you can ensure that the river is flowing enough to have an enjoyable experience but not too much to make it dangerous.

Know the Rules and Laws of the Area

Always be sure that you know the rules and local laws that regulate the area.

We always check to see if alcohol is allowed on the river and what type of materials are prohibited.

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About The Author

Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel.  Her practical tips and suggestions help make travel dreams a reality while immersing her readers in the history, culture, and food of a region.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.

Saturday 11th of May 2024

One of my favorite summer activities! In Florida, we float the rivers and spring runs to beat the summer heat, too. We don't have those beautiful river rocks though. I think I need to take a trip to Texas just to tube rivers.

Sunday 12th of May 2024

You totally should, you would love it!!

Wednesday 21st of September 2022

What a fun way to see the river by slowly floating down on a tube. I never knew this was such a popular activity, but definitely can see the appeal. The recommended Comal River and Guadalupe River look to be very beautiful.

Danny L. Ables

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Just got back from out annual float on the Comal. The river wasn’t flowing much and it became a rather lengthy float. Very crowded as well, (which was alright ). We are from Odessa, so it was awful nice to get our bodies on the river! Just wish we had these amenities in our area. It was a great time and look forward to next year!

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

Hi Danny. I am sure that the water was refreshing if nothing else. With this crazy dry and hot summer we are having it doesn't surprise me that the rive isn't flowing well. I hope you had fun anyway!

Sunday 17th of July 2022

This guide is full of super helpful tips, thank you so much! I never thought that black floaties would be too hot because of the sun.

Thank you for checking it out!

Catherine - Savvy Family Travel

You are my go to Texas Travel blog! I love your content and this is another awesome post: tubing is an activity I wouldn't have thought of seeking while there and it looks like it'd be a blast!

You are too sweet! Thank you so much!! We have another blog as well, That Texas Couple (.com). Please feel free to check it out also :)

• The Woodlands

Float trips are a favorite Texas summer past time. (Photo courtesy of Rockin' R River Rides)

Rivers range from peaceful to party — the choice is yours. (Photo courtesy of ATXCursions)

Many of the rivers allow alcohol — just don't bring any glass or styrofoam. (Photo courtesy of Texas Tubes)

You can go for a few hours or make a day of it. (Photo courtesy of River Sports Tubes)

Texas’ Best Float Trips: The Top Tubing Destinations and Hidden River Escapes

N othing says Texas summer like a float trip. As temperatures skyrocket into the triple digits (and stay there), the best way to beat the heat is one of the Lone Star State’s favorite past times.

You’ve seen the heat advisories , now take our advice: a tubing trip down the river is just what you need.

No two float trips are the same. Trips range from a two-hours-long getaway  to an all-day excursion. If you’re into the scenic views, you can take in everything from cypress trees to limestone bluffs and even urban landscapes if the river takes a turn through the city.

Then there’s the mood — from laidback and serene to Mardi Gras.

PaperCity’s rounded up the top five rivers for float trips this summer, and one honorable mention. They cover every kind of river retreat.

A few must-haves on your float: sunscreen — reapplying is everything — a cooler, water, drinks of your choice, koozies , snacks and a trash bag. What not to bring: your expensive new sunglasses, no matter how cute. You’re guaranteed to lose them, and no one wants you losing it on the trip.

Grill Master Haven

You can bring your own tubes to these spots, but stopping by an outfitter is highly recommended for tube rental and shuttles.

So go ahead. Float on.

Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe is nothing short of legendary. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone brings up float trips. These are the waters you want if you’re down to get a little fratty in a big group. Think about it — all the fun of a party without even having to stand up.

It’s rowdy-meets-relaxing, especially on holiday weekends. Imagine a bevy of friends with boozy beverages in hand while you float past limestone bluffs and bald cypress trees. Alcohol is definitely approved. Just don’t you dare bring Styrofoam or glass.

Floats can take you anywhere from two hours to six hours, depending on where you take off.  The famous Horseshoe Loop is a quintessential section for floaters. You can float for two and a half to three hours before you can hop off on the exit by the bridge over Farm to Market Road 306. Whitewater to 4th crossing is a good bet, too.

Some outfitter options: Whitewater Sports, Tube Texas, Tube Haus and Andy’s River Toobs.

Comal River

Come one, come all to the Comal River. This is the go-to for first-time floaters. It’s the shortest navigable river at just three miles long in total, calm and quick enough for you to take multiple trips.  You can drift downriver in these cool spring-fed waters, which peak at just 72 degrees year-round.

The best part? The Comal feeds into New Braunfels’ epic waterpark, Schlitterbahn. If you want just a taste of the river, hop on one of the rides that splashes you out into it. It’s a great end to a day at the aqua park — after plenty of Dippin’ Dots, of course.

After that first feel of the crisp waters, you’ll want to grab an inner tube and jump into the Comal and mosey down the heavily shaded path.

Some outfitter options: Rockin’ R, Texas Tubes, Comal Tubes and Texas Tubes.

San Marcos River

This Guadalupe tributary is hands-down the most popular float trip in Central Texas, running through the very heart of San Marcos. The cool spring-fed waters are some of the cleanest around, and you don’t have to drive far from Austin to float here.

The San Marcos is popular with novices and veterans alike, especially students. The lazy river weaves through the Texas State University campus, making it an undeniable draw at the end of finals season.

The city park behind Strahan Baseball Stadium is the ideal entry point. Throw your head back and kick back for a mile, sailing through three exciting small waterfall drops.

Some outfitter options: Texas State Tubes, Tubes San Marcos and Tube Texas.

This is one river where muy frio means muy bueno. Spanish for cold, the “Frio” delivers the promised ice-cold waters for an unbeatable float trip. The long, scenic Frio River makes for a trip you’ll never forget, in part because it’s more peaceful than party.

This float trip is considerably less crowded than its counterparts, giving it a truly secluded feel. You could even call it remote as you glide down the river under a shady canopy of Cypress trees.

You can get into this refreshing-but-not-freezing river at Garner State Park, You’ll be able to float a good mile and a half down before getting out at Country Road 350. We’ve got to warn you: time will stand still, and the trip’ll be over before you know it. Feel free to go another round.

Some outfitter options : Tube Texas, Frio River Outfitter and Andy’s on River Road.

Colorado River

This one’s not as widely traveled, but allow us to float the idea. The Colorado River is the longest river in the entire Lone Star State. That means ample opportunity to get yourself in the water, meaning you can have all different sorts and styles of float trips on just one river.

The flow is gentle and serene, with a few quick shallows here and there. The beautiful banks are lined with trees, making for a perfect Insta shot. The area is home to tons of wildlife, so keep an eye out for birds you won’t see just every day.

The Colorado River also stands out for its sand bars and islands. You can pull off and relax at these spots, slowing down your pace if you feel like it. It’s a classic, easy river for overnight trips. Hop in just east of Austin in Bastrop, on Highway 71.

Some outfitter options: Bastrop River Company and Dagger Blackwater.

Honorable Mention: Barton Creek Greenbelt

Here we go: the trip that everyone wants to take, but few dare to. It’s not exactly official. You won’t find outfitters in the area, making it a more labor-intensive, DIY kind of experience.

But if you’re down to Bring Your Own Tube, this is a great destination. You won’t have to drive all the way down to New Braunfels or San Marcos. It’s wild and free, and no outfitters means it’s literally free.

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River Tubing Near Me: The Best Places to Float a River

Posted on Last updated: June 10, 2024

Categories Travel , Outdoor Fun

Where can I go River tubing near me?

This is a must-do on your Texas bucket list of things to do for a good time. Who needs a water park when you’ve got real rivers with their own rapids to float on? It’s the ultimate lazy river (with some easy rapids)!

Alongside the renowned Frio River in Texas – if you want to stay in Texas, there are so many other great places to float a River, including the Brazos River, Comal River, Guadalupe River, Medina River, San Marcos River, South Llano River. Many of these are close to the Cities of Austin and San Antonio.

Check out our guide to all the places you can go river tubing and all the things you need to know before you plan your trip.

This post may contain Affiliate Links. Our Full Disclosure is available.

River Tubing Near me: The South Llano River in Uvalde, TX

The section of the South Llano River that runs through the South Llano River State Park near Junction, Texas, is a great family-friendly tubing destination

The South Llano River, a tributary of the Colorado River, is located northwest of Austin, Texas near Junction, Texas. The best place to enter the South Llano River is near South Llano River State Park or even before the park at Boone’s Crossing.

This relaxing float is family-friendly and is also a great place to canoe or kayak.

Float the Brazos River

Located near Caddo, Texas, the Brazos River is a great spot to tube, kayak, or canoe.

As it’s one of the furthest away from the big Texan cities like San Antonio or Dallas Fort Worth , the river isn’t as crowded as other rivers on this list

When it comes to tubing, most floaters enter the water near Possum Kingdom State Park, which just so happens to be a great spot to camp too.

Fed by Lake Granbury, the Brazos River varies from slow floats to quicker currents with more rain fall. Mid-summer is the best time to experience a float on the Brazos since water levels tend to run low as we head into the Fall.

River Tubing Near Me: The Trinity River

The Trinity River is the only river that flows purely within the state of Texas and is really close to Dallas , in nearby Fort Worth!

Every summer, the Trinity River Vision Authority hosts tubing events, and in June, the Rockin’ the River concert series begins where tubers can actually enjoy live music while floating in the river.

More: 34+ Awesome Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas with Kids

The Medina River

For a secluded float, head to the Medina River. Near the small town of Bandera, Texas, this 120-mile Texas river offers clear water and mild rapids and is very scenic.

It’s also spring-fed but also relies on rainfall to manage its flow.

It’s a little more isolated but the town of Bandera still offers tubes, shuttle services, and excursions for those wanting to experience the Medina River.

San Marcos River in San Marcos TX

Locals will start their tubing journey on the San Marcos River at the city park behind the Strahan Basketball Stadium. Many take organized tours “often called tubing adventures or a river adventure” with Texas State Tubes, from Downtown Austin with a group to go tubing.

Tubers typically float a mile down the river from here and exit right before reaching Rio Vista Park.

The crystal clear water of the San Marcos River draws crowds of visitors every year. If you’re heading to the San Marcos River, you’ll find Spring Lake, which is worth a visit too.

There are several places offering tube rentals , tubing excursions and trips on the beautiful San Marcos River.

• Texas State Tubes (probably the most popular and comes highly recommended)
• Don’s Fish Camp
• Great Gonzo’s Tube & Shuttles
• San Marcos Lions Club Tube Rental
• San Marcos Tubing Trips
• Texas State Tubes

The Colorado River

If you’re on a road trip , looking for river tubing near me in San Marcos, Texas, the San Marcos River is the waterway to head to for the perfect summer tubing spot.

Look out for the influx of coed students from Texas State University as the San Marcos River has some of the cleanest water a tuber could ask for.

This spring-fed river does have cool temperatures year-round at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit

This is a massive river that flows through seven states. The longest river in Texas, the Colorado River offers a mild flow with plenty of sandbars for when you need a place to take a break.

It is very common to have multiple-day excursions on this river.

To access the Colorado River, Columbus, Texas is the town to visit for supplies and access points.

Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, Texas

The Guadalupe River is the most popular river for floating in the Lone Star State. This 230-mile river actually runs from central Texas all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

However, the most popular spots to float are found in the Texas Hill Country, especially in Canyon Lake, San Marcos, New Braunfels, and San Antonio.

The cool water in the Guadalupe River makes this a popular summer river tubing near me destination. Tubers can choose from a short float to an all-day excursion. Shaded by cypress trees, the Guadalupe River is a relaxing float, where Texans are seen with typically a beer in hand.

If you asked locals where the best place to go for river tubing in Texas is, the Guadalupe River would likely be a name that you heard many times.

It originates near Kerrville, Texas, flows into Canyon Lake, then is released to create some of the best waters for river tubing and fly fishing around.

Our favorite Outfitters for Tube Rentals and Floating the Guadalupe River

• Gruene River Company
• Jerry’s Rentals
• Lone Star Float House
• Rockin’ R River Rides
• Shanty River Center
• Whitewater Sports

Comal River, New Braunfels

The Comal River is a tributary of the Guadalupe River, and at only two and a half miles, floating down it is one of the best things to do in New Braunfels.

Tubers typically begin their journey in this spring-fed river at Landa Park – as it’s short but fun and very manageable. The crystal clear water makes for a great reprieve from Texas’ hot summer days. Tubers definitely utilize their right to bring along alcoholic beverages here, but do keep in mind that glass and styrofoam are not permitted.

End your float on the Comal at the “tuber’s exit” right before the Comal meets the Guadalupe.

The spring-fed Comal River meanders through New Braunfels until it eventually reaches the Guadalupe River. Since its source is a spring, you can expect the water to be between 70 and 72 degrees year-round—a refreshing temperature for those hot summer days!

This is a highly popular river to float, so there are several places that offer rentals and float trips on the Comal River.

The best Outfitters to Float the Comal River

• Comal Tubes
• Corner Tubes
• Landa Falls
• Texas Tubes

The Blanco River is a beautiful river where you can spend some time relaxing on the water and enjoying the scenery. The easiest way to access the river for tubing is by heading to Blanco State Park.

If you don’t have your own, you can rent tubes from the park store. In addition to tubing, Blanco State Park offers fishing, swimming, hiking , and great spots for picnics.

While you are in New Braunfels, you may want to check out Schlitterbahn, the World’s Best Waterpark right here in Texas ! Be sure to check this out if you’re anywhere close to San Antonio.

Pedernales River | Johnson City

The sparkling Pedernales River flows over the exposed limestone characteristic of the Texas Hill Country Pedernales Falls State Park. There’s a decent section of the river above the falls available for swimming and tubing.

There aren’t any tube rentals available through the park, so you’ll have to bring your own or rent equipment from a local company. It’s a good idea to buy a pass online in advance because when some of the local parks get full, you won’t be able to enter.

While you’re at the park, it’s well worth your time to explore other sections, especially the falls. There are also a few hiking trails that wind through lovely, rugged landscapes. 

The Frio River, Concan TX

The Frio has 47 miles of secluded beauty with high limestone bluffs, enormous cypress trees and boulders with very clear water. Even more than the Guadalupe river, this is a river of vast changes. The Frio River winds through the heart of the Texas Hill Country, running shallow and crystal clear with spring-fed waters.

Our Top Tips for Tubing on the Frio River in Texas

Head to the Hill Country near San Antonio, to reach the Frio River – one of our favorites for you to float a River close to DFW

Floating a River in Arkansas

Lake Ouachita is beautiful and the edge is in Hot Springs, but going West out of Hot Springs towards Mt. Ida has better camping and parts of the lake (Mountain Harbor or Crystal Springs).

Floating the rivers are also fun (Ouachita and Buffalo are favorites).

Close to Eureka Springs you can float a river heading along White River. Check out White River Cabins, Can-U-Canoe Riverview Cabins and Ozark Spring Cabins as you follow the route of the River.

To look for a great place to stay, we have 7 Cool Vacation Spots in Arkansas

Why not Rent an RV?

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The 8 Best Tubing Rivers In Texas For Floating When It’s Hot Outside

Let these spring-fed waters cool you down.

When temperatures start to rise in Texas—which, let’s be honest, is most of the year—people beat the heat with a beloved warm-weather activity, and it’s not locking the door shut to keep all the good air-conditioning inside. Tubing down rivers has long been a favorite pastime of Texans (and Southerners in general) in the spring and summertime when everyone is just looking for a way to cool down. The affordable outdoor excursion offers old-fashioned fun for families and friends.

Luckily, the Lone Star State has plenty of tubing spots to flock to when the weather calls for it. Just make sure to show up prepared with sunscreen, water, and a waterproof speaker ready to play country tunes in the background. Here are the best rivers to float in Texas .

One of the most beautiful places to float, the Frio River is cool and calm. You’re able to enter from Garner State Park , which is located more remotely in Texas Hill Country near Concan around an hour-and-half drive from San Antonio. Warning: Cell service can be unreliable, so make a clear plan with your group beforehand if traveling. There are many campsites and rustic cabins in the park for overnight stays, and you can rent water equipment within the state park.

Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River is easily the most well-known tubing river in the entire Lone Star State. The 230-mile river runs from Central Texas all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The most popular stretches to float are in the Texas Hill Country, especially near New Braunfels, Canyon Lake , San Marcos, and San Antonio. Use an outfitter like  Rockin’ R River Rides , which has multiple locations, to help you shuttle in and out of the river. Hop off near New Braunfels in Gruene Historic District for a bite to eat at The Gristmill, which sits on the banks. The chicken-fried steak is famed! 

San Marcos River

Getty Images/Creative Credit

This Hill Country river is another extremely popular place to float, particularly for the college kids at Texas State University in San Marcos. For those wishing for a quick adventure, there’s an hour-long float that runs from the town’s City Park to Rio Vista Park. This spring-fed river is a tributary of the Guadalupe, which means it boasts cool temperatures year-round. It can get quite crowded during warmer months, so heed the crowds. 

Pedernales River

Getty Images/CrackerClips

You’ve likely heard Willie Nelson croon about this Texas river, and the scenery explains it all. Along the river, you can see limestone formations and waterfalls, but make sure to stay on the approved tubing route, as certain areas can get rough or precarious. If going during the summer months, check for tickets ahead of time, as you’ll enter the river in the Pedernales Falls State Park . 

Comal River

The spring-fed Comal River moseys through New Braunfels until eventually reaching the Guadalupe River. You can expect the water to be between 70 and 72 degrees year-round, and the floating stretch is under three miles, which makes it ideal for those looking for a half-day activity. End your float  at the “tuber’s exit” right before the Comal River meets the Guadalupe River. Use an outfitter like  Rockin’ R River Rides , which has multiple locations, to help you shuttle in and out of the river. 

Trinity River

Getty Images/Mark Perry

Those looking to float near Fort Worth or Dallas can grab a tube and head to the Trinity River. The standout bonus of floating Trinity River is that every Saturday in the summertime, you can catch live music as you float, known as the Rockin’ The River concert series. They even do a fireworks show after every performance. You can enter and exit the river at the public beach near the festivities. 

Colorado River

Getty Images/simonkr

The largest river on the list, the Colorado River flows through seven states. Many even opt for a multi-day floating excursion in order to make the most of the expansive river and its many sandbars. You can make your starting point in Columbus, Texas, for rentals or supplies, which is around an hour-and-half drive from Houston. Austinites can easily float the Colorado River by way of nearby Bastrop.

Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River

Easily accessible from several locations in Big Bend National Park, the Rio Grande makes for a breathtaking day of water fun, whether you prefer kayaking or floating on tubes. You can explore a small stretch of the river in less than a day by floating through Hot Springs Canyon or one of the quiet stretches downstream of Mariscal Canyon. However, multi-day itineraries are also popular. You are able to bring your own tubes, rent them, or hire a guide service that will provide everything you need.

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1191 County Road 316 Rainbow, TX 76077

(682) 262-0925

Welcome to Brazos Outdoor Center

Located on the beautiful brazos river in rainbow, texas.

Stay with us! We have full hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites available. Click “Reserve

Now” for rates and to check availability.

Float the Brazos

We can shuttle you up or down the river with tubes, kayaks, or canoes. Call for rates and more information.

Equipment Rental

Don't have your own equipment?  No problem!  We rent tubes, kayaks and canoes.  Call for information about rates and to make a reservation.

We are located on the beautiful Brazos River just 6 miles north of Glen Rose, Texas. You can float the river, fish, camp or just hang out for the day! We are close to Dinosaur Valley State Park, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and the historic charm of Glen Rose, Texas.

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The 8 Best Places to Go Tubing in Texas This Summer

Amid the hellfire heat of Texas Summer, you're bound to want to spend some time cooling off. But where should you go? There are ample water park options across the state, but some are quite a drive, and others can be expensive. You could always grab a towable tube or styrofoam floatie out into the Gulf on your favorite beach, but it won't be long before you're washed back up ashore with a swimsuit full of sand. Why not just grab your tube and head to the closest Texas river? Tube rentals are super easy, so you'll be chilling on an inner tube in no time. Plus, there really is nothing like a lazy float in a Texas river.

Well, if you don't know the current flow rate of the river and are unfamiliar with where the whitewater rapids are, this can get dangerous, not to mention illegal in some spots. A good float is accessible, easy, and, most of all, relaxing! So if you're not quite sure where the best floating location for your preferences is, check out this list of excellent places Texans like to go tubing in the Lone Star State, and then just take your pick! Don't forget to grab your sunscreen!

8. The Brazos River

If you're looking for an easy tubing experience, the Brazos is what they call a "flatwater" river. There are few rapids and ample sandbars, so you'll have a very low-key experience on your floating trip. This river is about 150 miles west of Dallas, so it would make an ideal day trip. Water levels have been known to dip in the summer months, so just know you might hit some shallow parts if visiting late in the season.

7. The South Llano River

The section of the South Llano River that runs through the South Llano River State Park near Junction, Texas, is a family-friendly tubing destination. The banks of the river by the bridge near the park entrance are shallow enough for little ones to splash, and bigger kids and grownups can hop in a tube for a short two-mile float. You can also go canoeing or kayaking on the South Llano if, for some unfathomable reason, you don't want to get in the water.

6. The Trinity River

Running through Dallas and Fort Worth, the Trinity River is open to tubers weekly throughout the Summer. Beginning in June, the Rockin' the River concert series hosts bands for a four-hour show so you can jam out while you float! Sounds like one of the best tubing experiences you could ask for...live music while you float on crystal clear water? Sign me up!

5. The Medina River

Facebook/The Medina River Company

Located northwest of San Antonio, surrounding the cowboy community of Bandera, Texas, is the vastly under-appreciated Medina River. The Medina River Company , situated on Main Street in Bandera, offers tubes and shuttle services for a float along the Medina River. You can also camp along the river if you really want to have a full outdoor experience. The Twin Elm Ranch, for example, provides tubing excursions to their campers, so campers just look into what your area offers along the Medina to get the most out of your experience.

4. The San Marcos River

Flickr/Sean Loyless

The San Marcos River is a spring-fed river running through the heart of the city that was named one of the six most romantic in the U.S. by Curbed . The river also runs through the campus of Texas State University, and its banks have historically been a favorite haunt of students looking to cool down. It's also well-known among Austinites since it's roughly 30 minutes south of Austin. Two great options for San Marcos River float trips are the local Lion's Club and Texas State Tubes .

3. The Comal River

If you've never been floating in Texas, the Comal is a great place to start. The float is an extremely popular one and is only 3 miles long. The Comal is heavily shaded, and part of the waters of the Comal feed the famous Schlitterbahn water park in New Braunfels. There are ample businesses that will provide you with a tube and a ride back to your car, which makes the whole experience fairly effortless. The Rockin' R and Texas Tubes are just two of the many great options for tubing trips down the Comal.

2. The Frio River

A little further west, you'll find the Frio River, which is one of the most famous and undeniable favorites for floating in Texas. The river is very long, scenic, and as the name implies, muy frio ("frio" is Spanish for "cold"). Accessible lodging and tubing near the Frio are in Garner State Park and Concan, Texas.

1. The Guadalupe River

The portion of the Guadalupe River that runs through the Texas Hill Country is quite possibly the most popular river tubing spot. Tubes, cabins, and campsites can be found all through central Texas, from San Marcos to New Braunfels, to Gruene and San Antonio. You can take a two-hour float, a three-hour float, or a six-hour float. These are average times, of course, because time seems to stand still when you're floating the cold waters of the Guadalupe through the lush shade of the bald cypress trees that line its shores.

READ MORE:  15 Best Swimming Holes in the Texas Hill Country

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Guide to trinity river paddling trail.

Teresa Patterson, Trinity River Paddling Trail manager for the Trinity Coalition,  stops to visit with some friendly farm animals along the West Fork of the Trinity River in Arlington. Photo by Charley Kemp.

Dec. 3, 2020

With the development of the Trinity River Paddling Trail  and its recent inclusion in the National Park Service as a National Recreation Trail, the kayak and canoe community in North Texas is 10,000 strong and growing. Some get on the water every week. For others, it’s occasional. For half of them, it’s about the fishing. 

Join on in! Get away from it all by taking a float trip down the Trinity or one of its forks: Clear, West and Elm. Whatever type of nature experience you’re looking for, the Trinity provides. The Trinity Coalition’s interactive Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites map  makes it easy to decide where to float. 

As long as care is taken and masks are worn while interacting, loading and launching in a group, paddling itself is naturally socially distanced as oars keep boats six feet apart.

BEFORE YOU GO

Plenty of people have gotten excited about river paddling, rented a kayak or canoe, hit the river and found themselves in a heap of trouble. Perhaps they didn’t check the current first and ended up being swept miles downstream, or worse, over a dam. Or they underestimated the time it took to paddle and returned many hours later, exhausted and struggling through the darkness to disembark. 

Check River Speed.  Urban rivers can have widely variable conditions from mile to mile. Rains and releases from reservoirs and water-treatment plants can raise river levels and increase velocity (measured in cubic feet per second, called CFS). Consider that storms upstream can raise river levels downstream, even if it did not rain where you plan to paddle. Uptake of water for municipal water treatment plants and commercial use can lower levels. 

Always first study the information at Trinity Coalition’s interactive Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites map and click the river gauge links. A safe CFS depends entirely on the conditions of that river stretch. A low CFS might be turbulent in one area and languid in another. 

Check Water Levels.  At the Coalition’s water levels page, color-coded gauges make determining river-current safety easy. Beginning paddlers should only go when the levels are medium and below. 

Check the Map.  There is a goldmine of information at the Trinity River Paddling Trail  main page. Scroll down to Maps for an overview graphic and detailed maps of individual segments including distances, launch site amenities and requirements, and GPS coordinates of launch sites. 

Practice.  Knowing some basic strokes and float techniques before getting on the water will save you a lot of energy and possibly prevent a dunking. Best is hands-on instruction, often available from outfitters or equipment retailers. Posture and hand placement on paddles is important and difficult to teach online. For top instruction, seek out American Canoe Association certified teachers. 

If that’s not possible, spend some time on YouTube and Vimeo checking out the many paddle-instruction videos. American Canoe Association  offers a good collection of educational offerings. 

Learn from a Pro.  Unless you are well versed in paddling, it's safest to explore a river first with experienced professionals familiar with the river's habits and hazards. A few recommended float leaders and boat outfitters include:

• Adventures Unlimited Paddling

• Backwoods Paddlesports

• Trinity River Expeditions

• Trinity River Kayak

These nature centers offer group paddle events and have float trails entirely within their boundaries: 

• Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge

• Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

More are listed on the Trinity River Paddling Trai l main page.

Many of these are wrapping up their float activities for the season, so inquire quickly. 

TOUR DE FORKS

By paddling a variety of TRPT segments, you'll get to know the Trinity intimately. The Clear Fork is primarily in southwest Tarrant County and merges with the West Fork near downtown Fort Worth. The West Fork connects Tarrant and Dallas counties, and the Elm Fork links Denton to Dallas. When the West and Elm forks merge northwest of downtown Dallas, it creates the Trinity main stem. Not yet amenable to most paddlers, the East Fork joins the Trinity after it departs southeast Dallas County.

Where do you start?

A few tips on how to select a segment from over 130 river miles of TRPT from the Trinity Coalition's interactive Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites map : 

• A typical paddle-trip length is three hours on the water, covering four to six miles. 

• Paddling downstream from one launch site to another can be a fun adventure since you’re working with the current. But return vehicles must be left at the trail end while taking into consideration Covid-19 social distancing needs. 

• Many segments have a modest current and can be done round-trip, some all of the time and

others only under the right conditions. Called a “park and paddle,” these are noted in the list below.

• Dams can harbor dangers for boaters (stay clear!) and may require portages that range from long and challenging to short and easy

•Take note of the launch site specifics. Sometimes the distance from unloading to launch site is significant, or the surface is too rough to drag a boat on, making a small set of wheels called a kayak cart advisable. 

Below is a description of each of the Trinity Forks and the Main Stem.

Clear Fork in Fort Worth: Rocky Grace  

Low-head dams create quiet water sections in the Clear Fork's paddle-friendly segment from the Fort Worth Zoo to Panther Island Pavilion. Some dams have chutes that allow floaters to pass through with a minor whitewater thrill. The Clear is marvelous for Full Moon floating and a comfortable river for newbies.

Popular Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites and paddle segments: 

    •     Panther Island Pavilion  upstream to Trinity Park  or the reverse downstream or done as a roundtrip

West Fork from Fort Worth: Connecting the Metroplex

The West is the Trinity's longest fork at 145 miles. It traverses the area's three primary ecoregions- Fort Worth Prairie, Eastern Cross Timbers and Blackland Prairie - and multiple layers and ages of bedrock. The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is home to two Trinity River Paddling Trail launch points.

The section from the tip of Lake Worth to the Eagle Mountain Lake dam is as primeval as it gets, and the loop trail through part of Lake Worth is an absolute beauty. The West Fork through downtown Fort Worth is rather ho-hum and has a series of dams that thwart paddling, but regains some wild in the west part of the city.

In the Mid-Cities, some unaltered sections feel fantastically remote and floaters enjoy twisty bends, small riffles, and sandbars. The river becomes increasingly channelized as it nears its confluence with the Elm Fork, though retains a natural look. 

Popular Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites and paddle segments: 

• Eagle Mountain Lake downstream to Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge or the reverse upstream or done as a roundtrip

• Lake Worth at Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge

• White Settlement Trailhead Park downstream to Panther Island Pavilion  or the reverse upstream or done as a roundtrip (a fishing favorite)

• Beach Street near Gateway Park as a roundtrip doing a mile or so upstream and then return

• Beach Street near Gateway Park downstream to Handley Ederville Dam (one small portage)

• Handley Ederville Dam downstream to River Legacy Parks

Elm Fork: Core of the Trinity

Paddlers appreciate the Elm Fork south of Lewisville Lake for its generous current and width in some favorite sections. The Trinity River Paddling Trail runs an epic 37 miles in nine segments on the Elm from Lewisville to downtown Dallas. It traverses from meanders through bottomland forest to a channel through mowed and manicured urban green space. The upper Elm is home to some of North Texas's wildest parks and preserves. 

The river between the Lewisville Lake headwaters and Lake Ray Roberts dam is open for paddling, but is not part of the Trinity River Paddling Trail. Contact Ray Roberts State Park  for conditions before paddling. Although one mega log jam in that area was cleared, there is another at Clear Creek. The dam in Carrollton above Sandy Lake Road is best avoided, as is the natural gas pipeline and railroad trestle near Belt Line Road due to fallen log accumulation. The dam at Frasier Dam Recreation Area is usually easy to portage. Downstream of Frasier Dam, the water volume can be too slight for padding. As it draws close to downtown, the Elm becomes thoroughly channelized, including its confluence with the West Fork, though the greenspace is pleasant.

Popular TRPT launch sites and paddle segments: 

• Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area downstream to Trinity Fork Park (Hebron Parkway; not yet open) or continue to McInnish Park (north of Belt Line)

• Trinity Fork Park (Hebron Parkway) downstream to McInnish Park (north of Belt Line)

• McInnish Park (north of Belt Line) upstream to Denton Creek or I-35E as a roundtrip

• Elm Park to California Crossing Park

• California Crossing Park downstream to Frasier Dam Recreation Area

• Frasier Dam Recreation Area projects a mile or so upstream and then return as a roundtrip

Main Stem in Dallas: Urban to Wilderness

The Elm and West Fork merge northwest of downtown Dallas to form the much larger Trinity main stem. Channelized and squeezed between 30-foot levees, it starts very urban with skyscraper vistas of an expansive mowed greenspace with scattered trees. South of downtown, it spreads into the Great Trinity Forest, the nation's largest urban bottomland hardwood forest. There the river regains its wildness and features stunning heavily wooded stretches with terrific wildlife watching opportunities. The remains of abandoned lock and dam systems at McCommas Bluff and downstream pose dangers, making paddling south of Loop 12 not recommended unless very experienced. 

• Trammel Crow Park (Sylvan Ave. bridge) downstream to Santa Fe Trestle Trail  (Moore Park on TRPT map) or continue to Loop 12 (near Little Lemmon Lake)

• Santa Fe Trestle Trail (Moore Park on TRPT map) downstream to Loop 12 (near Little Lemmon Lake)

PADDLE TIPS

Don’t Go It Alone.  Never paddle by yourself unless you are very experienced in the craft. Always tell someone where you are going on the water and when you plan to return. Remember to call them when you get off the water.

Wear A Life Jacket. A personal flotation device, also known as a life jacket, is a must on any float trip. The same goes for a 360-degree visible white stern light, required by law if boating at night. Colored port and starboard navigation lights are recommended for safety. All are usually included with rentals and guided trips.  

Enjoy The View. It takes an average of 30 minutes to paddle a mile, more if paddling upstream against a current or wind. Include time to stop occasionally and enjoy the scenery. Add additional time to unload boats and get them into the water and vice versa. 

Know Your Route. Get acquainted with your river route online first before paddling. Read everything about the launch site on Trinity Coalition’s interactive Trinity River Paddling Trail launch sites map  and click the river gauge link. Also look for wayfinder signs created by the Coalition being installed at all launch sites. 

Familiarize yourself with your take-out point, if different from your put in, before you launch. Mark the take-out site ahead of time on your GPS or Google maps and monitor during your float. They can be easy to miss, especially in dim light. 

Use GPS. Monitor your progress via GPS or Google maps. Some creek-river confluences are deceptively wide, making it easy to go the wrong way. 

Prepare To Get Wet. You will get a bit wet! Most launch sites on the Trinity River Paddling Trail do not have a dock, so wading into the river is required to launch and disembark a canoe or kayak. Wear appropriate shoes that attach firmly to the feet. Leave a towel or a change of clothes in the car.

Practice Good Hygiene. Most urban rivers, streams, and bodies of water have some level of E.Coli bacteria. Never ingest the water and always shower after exposure. Be cautious with open cuts or sores, especially on hands and feet. Stopping mid-float for eats? Clean your hands first! 

Keep It Dry. Bring a waterproof bag you can tie to the boat for snacks, gear and so on. Waterproof cases for mobile phones and cameras are best. If not, into the dry bag they go. 

Bring Tissue. Bring hand wipes and wipes for eyeglasses if you wear them. Also toilet tissue as not all launch sites have bathrooms. 

Prepare For Sun. It can be very sunny on the water, so wear a hat and sunglasses. Bring plenty of drinking water. 

The Trinity Coalition website features a list of outfitters  that rent equipment and offer group trips. Or do a Google search and find on the map the outfitter closest to where you wish to explore. Which better suits you, kayak or canoe? Outfitters can help you decide, as can this handy article . 

Want to go with your own group, but don’t have a kayak or canoe? Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge  and Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area  offer group floats.

If you own a boat, Meetups and Facebook groups are a great place to connect with other paddlers, including experienced ones, plus specialty floating groups (women only, sunset, etc) and those focused on a particular body of water. 

• Dallas Down River Club (focused on river camping)

• North Texas Kayak Adventures

• North Texas River Runners (focused on whitewater excursions)

• North Texas Whitewater Paddlers

• Trinity Coalition Paddlesports

• Trinity River Paddling Trail Association

A couple nonprofits offer group paddle trips and river cleanups: 

• Dallas Down River Club

• Trinity Coalition

Trinity River Paddling Trail 

Paddle trail map  

Interactive launch sites map  

River water levels  

RELATED ARTICLES

North Texas paddling trail receives national designation

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Tubing -> $19 per person, includes tube you ride on and free day pass. A tube is included for your ice chest for every 4 people otherwise they are $10. This is includes parking, shuttle, and the rope to tie together. 10am-3pm. No new people on the river after 3pm. Open 7 days a week. April through October. Reservations not necessary for tubing.

The river changes so always call the day before you come for current conditions., we are a camping and rv resort just minutes from the metroplex great for weekend getaways and long holidays. we offer pleasant riverfront rv and tent camping area as well as tubing and canoeing down the rural and scenic brazos river. families, friends, clubs, and event hosting make this a fun getaway..

Prices Tubing .............$19.00    Has free Day Pass Canoes.............$40.00 Rv hookups......$30.00 Camping (first 2 people) $20.00 (additional)each $7.00 Day passes (Adults & kids)..$5.00 (Kids under 5)...FREE Fishing...............$5.00 Call for RV reservations to get waterfront and shaded sites. Not necessary to call for tent camp or tubing. Tubing 7 days a week no reservation needed (817)341-4009

Two Bridges Resort 10801 Interstate 20 West Millsap, TX 76066 ph: 817 341 4009 paul @tubingth ebrazos .com -->

Copy-right © 2011 Two Bridges Resort

Float the River in Texas || What to Know Before Floating the River

Are you planning a trip to float the river in Austin or float the river in Texas? We’re sharing everything you need to know before your float! I’ve gone quite a few times now, and absolutely have some tips and tricks to make it a smooth trip. And every river in Texas is going to give you a different experience! So I hope this helps!

SEE MORE // 10 Watering Holes in Austin To Keep You Cool

WHICH RIVER & COMPANY TO USE

San marcos river.

This is my personal favorite spot to float the river! The route takes about 3-4 hours and is the best option for groups. Additionally, the Comal & Guadalupe River have become VERY strict on drinks while floating, so if you plan on drinking while floating then I recommend the San Marcos above all other options.

Texas State Tubes The company I typically use while floating and can personally recommend!

Lions Club Tube Rental One of the easiest floating routes and a great option if you plan on bringing kids along with you! Only lasts about 1-2 hours!

Ninja Bus If you want to float but nobody wants to be the DD, then use the Ninja Bus! They leave every Sunday from Native Hostels in Austin so nobody has to drive themselves down. A great option for groups that plan to drink on the river (which, honestly, is probably most of you).

COMAL RIVER

This river floats through downtown New Braunfels and around Schlitterbahn water park! The river is very easy, relaxed, and wide for a more relaxed float. The trip itself is shorter than the San Marcos River and takes about 2-3 hours. I recommend starting at Landa Falls (the longest float option here), otherwise, Chucks Tubes and Comal Tubes are both great! ** currently the Comal River is on a NO CAN BAN and all disposable containers are banned, I got a ticket for having a plastic water bottle (my bad and I know it, but still bitter I got a ticket rather than a warning because I genuinely forgot I stashed it in the cooler and was very psyched to find it later when I needed it **

GUADALUPE RIVER

This is, in my opinion, the prettiest of the floats! I grew up floating the Guadalupe River with my family and actually have not done this one as an adult yet. Here you have a couple of options for length, you can take the short trip at 2 hours or the long trip at about 5 hours. I recommend checking out Tube Haus , Whitewater Sports , or Shanty Tubes here! ** currently the Guadalupe River is on a NO CAN BAN and all disposable containers are banned **

SEE MORE // Your Austin Summer Bucket List With Everything To Do This Summer 2021

TIPS & WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FLOAT THE RIVER

No Glass or Styrofoam Containers No glass bottles or styrofoam coolers are allowed on any of the rivers, and right now the Comal & Guadalupe have a no can ban in place too. The San Marcos can always put a can ban, so I HIGHLY recommend avoiding cans at all costs. Bring Cash Many places do not take cards, and I would hate for you to be in a position where you need to pay for something extra but can’t! Tie Yourselves Together Each of the companies recommended above has twine to tie yourselves together, and you 100% should do this! You get pulled away quickly when the rapids come! Pack Extra Let me EMPHASIZE THIS. You WILL run out of drinks. You may think “how could we drink this much!” but when it is boiling hot you crush those beers. Every time I float we have way more than we think we can handle and we always run out before we finish floating. So pack way more than you need!!!! Pack Water Someone will drink too much. Someone will feel ill. Someone will want clean water to not feel ill anymore. Prepare for that person. Prepare to Lose Things Do not bring anything on that river that you do not want to lose. Shoes will go missing, phones will drown, keys will somewhere disappear. It is life. Tie your Shoes Up When floating, use the twine to interlock your shoes with you. This is the only method I have found that saves shoes! Wear a Swimsuit You will without a doubt get wet, so come prepared!!!

READ MORE ON A GIRL FROM TEXAS 10 Texas State Parks to Get a Taste of the Texas Outdoors Best Austin Watering Holes to Escape the Summer Heat Things to Do for an Austin Bachelorette Party Weekend

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

A Large Cooler Get a larger cooler that can fit inside a tube! Also, ALWAYS pack more drinks than you think you need and fill your cooler with 20% water. It’s so hot you will run out of drinks way faster than you expect, and it is always better to have more hydration than less!

A Water Bottle Yes, beer on the river is nice. Wanna know what’s even better with 100+ degree heat and drunk people? Water. PACK WATER. Also, I am a big fan of this collapsible water bottle I got off Amazon for like $10 because I can easily fit it right back in my bag later!

Cheap Waterproof Shoes I have never floated the river without losing at least 1 persons shoes. Bring shoes you don’t care if they float away or get destroyed, but DO NOT got barefoot. You will have to walk on land at some point and that hurts

A Waterproof Phone Case Well, all love taking pics on the river. Let’s be real. BUT nobody wants to drop their phone in the water and pay thousands to replace it. I recommend getting a water protective case like this one from  Spi-belt , and then putting it inside something that is physically connected to your body like their belts!! That way, you get your cute pics but also it won’t cost you a phone.

Sunscreen We live in Texas, you should know this by now. Bring SO MUCH.

Twine To tie your tubes together! I love the thin one because it won’t give you rope burn if it hits against you. Also, if it hits a horrible rapid then it’ll break (and you definitely want it to break before youtube breaks or you break).

Snacks, So Many Snacks Personally, I always pack snacks and never end up eating them, so this is your call!

Thanks for checking out our Float the River post with all my favorite products and tips for when you float the river this summer! Hope you got to add some to your list to check out soon enough, Austin is full of great spots!

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Comments (10).

February 19, 2019 at 12:31 am

This looks like so much fun, but I definitely would’ve fallen out of my tube more than once. Haha.

February 19, 2019 at 6:21 am

I’ve never done this before but it looks like so much fun! Looks like such a great group activity with friends!

Rachel R Ritlop

February 19, 2019 at 8:09 am

ahh this looks so fun! we do this in the FL springs and it’s always a blast!

February 19, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Omg we did a river float a couple of years ago and I swear we spent half the time trying to catch each other because we were constantly floating away, The other half of the time we were slathering on sunscreen haha!

Seersucker Sass

February 19, 2019 at 1:39 pm

This is such a helpful post! I have never floated a river before.

Azanique Rawl

February 20, 2019 at 9:26 am

What a fun way to relax with friends! I haven’t done a river float in so long. I need to explore this this summer 🙂

-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com

February 20, 2019 at 1:01 pm

I love tubing in the summer! This is reminding me to organize another trip with my friends to the Shenandoah River!

February 20, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Awww this looks so fun!!!! I need the sunshine.

June 3, 2021 at 1:08 pm

If I were to go on a float trip with a group could I bring my own “float”? It is sturdy with a back. Like a tube made for ski boats. I have a neck issue which would do better with back support for several hours on a river but I don’t want to miss out either. Or do any of the companies rent 5his type tube? Thank you.

[email protected]

June 3, 2021 at 5:03 pm

Yes! Most companies will let you bring your own float, and many companies will have extra floats with backs on them. Either way, you can do both!

I would recommend confirming directly with the company you want to use first, of course

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Paris Guide From a Local || What To Do When You're in Paris

20 best patios in austin for happy hour // updated 2022.

• Giggles Galore

Family Frio River Giggles Galore summer Travel Vacation

Floating the Frio River the Ultimate Texas Road Trip Destination

• Bring Water Shoes : The Frio River has a rocky bottom and flip flops are not ideal.  Trust me, buy the water shoes!
• Rent Your Tube & Take the Shuttle from Andy’s : We have been renting our tubes and riding the “Cool” bus from Andy’s on River Road for 16 years.  It’s so much easier than hauling and storing tubes year after year.
• BYOB : Concan and surrounding counties are “dry”, so pick up your favorite adult drinks beforehand.
• Protect Your Skin: Bring LOTS of sunscreen and use it often.  When you float the river you’ll be out in the hot Texas sun for several hours, nothing brings a fun vacation to a halt like a sunburn. 
• Take Fishing Nets : Whether we are floating down the river or hanging out riverside the kids always have fun catching fish in the river.  Don’t worry, they are usually just tiny little minnows.
• Get There Early and Claim Your Spot : If you plan to hang out riverside at Neal’s make sure you get their early and claim your spot. Don’t forget a canopy, chairs, coolers and food so you can spend the entire day relaxing in the water.
• Check Out the Local Hot Spots : If you are staying in Concan make sure you take a trip to the Frio’s Dry Fifty for souvenirs and plan a night of dancing at the House Pasture or Jimmy Joe’s .
• Look Up : The stars at night are spectacular.

Related Ideas

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• Frio River Fun – #Funsucker Free Family Vacation
• Road Trip Activities
• Tips for Road Trips with Kids
• Floatin’ the Frio
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• Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

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Adventures in Missouri

At Blue Springs Ranch, we are your HOME FOR SUMMER FUN! Experience taking a Float Trip down the scenic Meramec River in one of our canoes, kayaks or tubes.

Float Trips

Experience quality outdoors at its finest on a float trip down the scenic Meramec River. We are located on the upper Meramec River, level 1, making this the perfect trip for first time floaters. Blue Springs Ranch has three different float options to suit every guests needs. We offer a 10 mile float, a 5 mile float, and a lazy river that is equivalent to 1 mile. On the 10 mile floats and 5 mile floats guests are able to rent fiberglass canoes, aluminum canoes, single kayaks, innertubes/cooler tubes, and a range of rafts from a 4-man up to 10-man. All rafts are priced 1 person under capacity; to fill the raft to capacity is an extra charge of $40. The Lazy River runs from 9A.M. to 3 P.M. every day and can be done as much as desired. The bus leaves every hour from the lower beach to the upper beach. This float can only be used with innertubes. Some prices may vary due to our week day and weekend pricing.

One Hour from St. Louis!

Blue Spring Ranch is perfect for Weekend Getaways, Family vacations, Reunions, Group Summer Camp Activities, Company Retreats, and much, much more. For information on Activity prices, review our price sheet .

To make a reservation, contact us at +1 (800) 333-8007 to speak to a Team Member.

Tube Haus is centrally located near New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Austin in Canyon Lake, TX., on FM 306 ( Maps & Directions ), and Tube Haus specializes in Guadalupe River Tube Rides, Tube Floats, Inner Tube Float Trips, Tube Rentals, Cooler Tubes, floating & tubing on the Guadalupe River. Tube Haus is conveniently located at the very beginning of the famous Horseshoe Loop! - At Tube Haus there is "No Can Ban" or Ban on Disposable Containers", and at Tube Haus you can bring your music with you on  the river without being hassled by local Law Enforcement!  - At Tube Haus alcohol and open containers are legal on the river, but glass containers are not, so bring your  beverages in cans or plastic bottles (please drink responsibly to insure your safety and of those around you). - There are "No Restrictions on Cooler Size" at Tube Haus, bring any size cooler you like, however Styrofoam and Glass are  banned on the River, so no Styrofoam Coolers or Ice Chests or and type of Styrofoam items or Glass items are allowed on the river.  ( Click here for "Cooler and Ice Chest Tips and Cooler Tube Tips" ) Click here for a detailed description of the "2021 River Rules" in Canyon Lake compared to New Braunfels! How long does it take to float or ride down the Guadalupe River? See Guadalupe River Float Map below... The time it takes to float or tube down the Guadalupe River depends on which "Float Trip" you choose. Float times vary depending on how fast the river is flowing, measured in "cfs" (cubic feet per second). The higher the cfs, the faster the river is flowing, thus reducing the time it takes to float each Float trip as opposed to the lower the cfs, the longer it takes to complete your float trip. River Levels and flows can change daily, so the time it takes to float the river can change daily.

If you're looking for a great place to enjoy a Float Trip on the Guadalupe River with friends, family and your dog, Tube Haus is the Oasis you've been searching for. Tube Haus is "pet friendly" (referring to dogs) and you can find out the details in our " Tubing Checklist ", see item number 16 at the bottom of the list for information about "tubing with your dog or floating the river with your dog" at Tube Haus, because a lot of dogs love river tubing and being in the water! Tube Haus is only 13 miles from New Braunfels... just a short drive to the famous Horseshoe Loop on the Guadalupe River, where you can enjoy an awesome river float on inner tubes, with a cooler full of your favorite beverages and snacks!

Our 3 biggest weekends of the Tube Season are Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend , and Tube Haus will be open daily for "Spring Break each year (weather permitting)", from 9am to 5pm. We highly recommend that you plan ahead for all 3 Holidays, especially if you need Lodging, Camping or an RV site because Lodging and Campsites usually book up pretty quick just before school lets out for the summer. Tube Season at Tube Haus generally runs from the first week in March through the end of September each year, however depending on the weather each year, this time frame may be longer or shorter... good weather allows for a longer season and bad weather shortens the Tube Season.

     In 2007, 2010, 2011, & 2012, the New Braunfels City Council passed new River Rules, River Laws, Ordinances and Restrictions for anyone participating in River Tubing, Rafting or any other water activities within the City Limits of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. These New River Rules, Floating & Tubing Laws, Regulations and River Restrictions stirred up the whole River Tubing community all over Texas and beyond! People were extremely upset and law suits were filed by local Outfitters in protest, which are still ongoing. A few of the biggest questions we get at The Tube Haus in our emails is... "What are the New River Rules and will they affect me when I go Tubing on the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake?" Is there a "Can Ban" in Canyon Lake? Are there any Cooler Restrictions in Canyon Lake? The simple answer is NO! The New River Rules passed by the New Braunfels City Council only apply to water activities "within the City Limits of New Braunfels" and do not apply to the upper Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake, which is outside the City Limits of New Braunfels. The Tube Haus is located outside the City Limits of New Braunfels and thus you do not have to worry about any of New Braunfels' River Rules and/or Restrictions. Drinking is legal on the river and more specifically, it's legal to drink alcohol on the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake. Tube Haus has posted a Chart on our Website where you can compare the New Braunfels' River Rules with the Texas State River Rules to see the differences. Basically nothing has changed as far as Rules are concerned on the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake except for one New Rule pertaining to "plastic containers" mainly used for Jello Shots... check out it out here, the latest, most up-to-date River Rules: 2021 Guadalupe and Comal River Rules . P.S. Alcohol has not been banned from the Guadalupe River... please drink responsibly.      In regards to Cooler Restrictions, there are NO Cooler Restrictions or Ice Chest restrictions in Canyon Lake... bring any size Cooler or Ice Chest you like and as many Coolers as you need!  Note: There is a strict law which is heavily enforced for all rivers in Texas that forbids any kind of Styrofoam on the river, so please do not bring any "Styrofoam Coolers or products" with you on the river or you may be fined up to $500. Glass is also illegal on the river, so bring beverages and snacks in cans, plastic, or paper containers.      Cooler and Ice Chest Tips for Guadalupe River Tubing: A common question we get is: "Can you bring your own cooler or ice chest to float on the Guadalupe River near Canyon Lake." The answer is "Yes!!!". The best Coolers and Ice Chests for River Tubing range in size from a 28 Quart capacity up to a 50 Quart capacity and fit into a commercial truck inner tube nicely. In our experience, Coolers and Ice Chests larger than 50 Quarts become very heavy and difficult to handle, so unless you have 2 strong individuals to handle your Cooler or Ice Chest, it's better to use a 50 Quart Cooler or smaller for easier handling and for a more enjoyable day of Guadalupe River Tubing! Also, Coolers and Ice Chests larger than 50 Quarts may not fit into an inner tube because they're too big or have an odd size that prevents it from fitting into an inner tube. Another thing to consider when deciding what size cooler or ice chest to use and how many coolers to use, is which Float Trip you plan on taking or floating. You will not need as many beverages and/or snacks on our Short Float (a 1 mile float) as you would need on our Long Float (a 2 1/2 mile float). The most popular brands of Coolers and Ice Chests are Coleman, Igloo, Yeti, Stanley, Rubbermaid, Ozark Trail, Grizzly, and Pelican (Note: This is not a complete list)

Here are just a few of the common tags, search phrases, misspellings and misspelled search terms and keywords that people use to find us: Tube House in Canyon Lake, Tube Huas, Toob Haus, River Haus, tube hass, tubehausa, tube rental near the horseshoe, Tubing in New Braunfels, TX., Tube Haus in New Braunfels, New Bronsville, TX, Tubing in Austin, Tubing in San Antonio, rivers in San Antonio, TX., best tubing guadalupe, inner tubing, Tubing in Houston, Float the river in New Braunfels, New Braunfels Tubing, "I wanna go tubing in New Braunsfield", new braunfels horseshoe, ride the river in new braunsfels, Canyon Lake Tubing, Tube Rentals New Braunfels, Texas River Tubing, tube ride, texas, tubing floats, Tube Rentals Canyon Lake, rent tubes, Tubing Canyon Lake, TX., New Braunfels River Float, Tubbing, Toobing, and Tubeing, gontubing, tubing rentals, guadlupe river, guadalupr river, guadeloupe river, gualope river hours, gaulpotia river,.guadlupe river swim, swimming, Alcohol inner tubing Texas, Where to go water tubing in texas?  Where is the best place to tube down the Guadalupe River in Texas? Tube Haus is the best place to Based on what our customers have told us over the years, we find it very interesting that all these tags have one thing in common... everyone is using a different set of words to find the same thing... Guadalupe River Tubing or Guadalupe Water Tubing! Once people have found us, they just bookmark us, and add us as a favorite , or they just type in tubehaus.com and wallah, they're here! To be clear, Tube Haus is near New Braunfels (10 minutes), Tube Haus is near San Antonio (55 minutes), Tube Haus is near Austin (55 minutes) and Tube Haus is in Houston's backyard, (Map) just 3 hours and 18 minutes drive down Hwy 10 and TX-46 to Canyon Lake, TX., where the refreshing Guadalupe River is waiting for you and your friends to have an awesome day of floatin' down the river on inner tubes, kickin' back and sipping on your favorite beverage... Guadalupe River Tubing near Houston, Texas! The Guadalupe River is one of the main rivers to float and tube near Houston. P.S. Tube Haus will be open daily for the "4th of July Weekend 2018" as well as the "Labor Day Weekend 2018" from 9am to 7pm! Tube Haus, one of the best and cheapest places to go for Spring Break, Memorial Day Weekend, Forth of July Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend on the planet! --> Average Drive Times to Tube Haus from Various Cities in Texas: (Estimated Drive Times are based on "non-rush hour and non-holiday periods". Drive times will vary based on your starting point, number of pit stops, traffic, weather, road construction, accidents, detours, and other unknown factors.) Click here for " Easy Directions & Maps to Tube Haus "

Facts About the Guadalupe River: How long is the Guadalupe River ? The length of Guadalupe River (proper) is approximately 230 miles, however if you include the distance of the 2 originating forks (or branches) in western Kerr County feeding the Guadalupe River, it would be approximately 250 miles in length. The Guadalupe River "proper" is the point where the 2 originating forks join and where the 230 mile length begins. The Guadalupe River is one of the most popular rivers in Texas for recreational water activities , including river tubing , swimming, snorkeling, trout fishing, bass fishing, kayaking, canoeing,  and rafting . The Guadalupe River headwaters begin north of Kerrville, TX and continue down past Victoria, TX to San Antonio Bay into the Gulf of Mexico. As the Guadalupe River twists and turns and winds its way through the Texas Hill Country on its way down to the Gulf of Mexico, by far the most visited and popular section of the Guadalupe River for water recreation and river tubing is the famous " Horseshoe Loop ", which is a 1 mile stretch of the Guadalupe River shaped just like a giant Horseshoe and is located just below the Canyon Lake Dam and Reservoir, in Canyon Lake, TX. Considered the most significant reservoir on the Guadalupe River, the Canyon Lake Dam & Reservoir began construction in 1959 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was completed in 1964. The Guadalupe River is extremely beautiful and scenic, and provides water flow for recreational, domestic and agricultural uses throughout its entire length, from Kerrville all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. The "GBRA" (Guadalupe Blanco River Authority) is the local agency (in Seguin, TX) that manages Guadalupe River Flows and Release Rates from the Canyon Lake Dam when Canyon Lake levels are at or below 909 feet Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL). When Canyon Lake levels are above 909 feet (AMSL), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes over the management of Guadalupe Release Rates and River Flows as a "Flood Management Agency". In 2002, a massive flood event took place, breaching the Canyon Lake Spillway with such a powerful and destructive force, that it carved a huge "Gorge" just below the Canyon Lake Spillway, uncovering and exposing some incredible archeological finds and geological formations, prompting the creation of the Canyon Lake " Gorge Preservation Society " (GPS), who offer "guided tours" of the newly formed astoundingly beautiful Gorge!      Back in the mid to late 1960's, it was determined by the TPWD (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) that the cold water discharges / releases from the Canyon Lake Dam were consistently cold enough to support Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout year round, which led to an annual stocking program of Trout for a 10 mile stretch of the Guadalupe River just below Canyon Lake Dam (including Fishing Access Points), continuing down "River Road" to the "2nd Crossing and Camp Huaco Springs. GRTU ( Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited ) is a non-profit organization that was formed to protect, preserve and improve river conditions for "trout habitats" for fishermen, young and old, for generations to come. GRTU has had a major impact on Guadalupe River Release rates to help protect and preserve the trout during low water and drought years on the Guadalupe River. For more information on River Levels, River Flow Rates, River Conditions, Release Rates, Canyon Lake Levels, Daily River Updates, click: Guadalupe River Conditions - Canyon Lake, TX

Spring Break at Tube Haus!    -    Tube Haus has been described as a "Top Choice" of "places to go" and "things to do" for Spring Break in Central Texas ", also as "One of the Best Low Cost / Cheapest Spring Break Destinations in Texas", and finally, as "One of the Most Popular Places to go in Texas for a Spring Break Destination" by college students in Texas because... Tube Haus is uniquely located in the scenic and beautiful Texas Hill Country in close proximity to Austin, San Antonio and right next door to New Braunfels & Gruene, TX for some of the best night life in the entire USA! All 4 cities offer excellent night life and social activities in the way of great bars, dancing, live bands, music, entertainment and restaurants. In Austin, 6th Street and other adjoining streets are blocked off strictly for pedestrian traffic walking to and from bars and restaurants, just like a "Block Party" in the French Quarters of New Orleans. Austin's Music Scene is 2nd to none and features some of the best live bands anywhere in the world! Just 55 minutes south of Austin in San Antonio, you have the famous San Antonio River Walk , packed with bars and restaurants lining the banks of the picturesque San Antonio River. In New Braunfels, there are 2 areas offering great night life, bars, restaurants, music and entertainment... downtown New Braunfels, right smack in the City Square / Roundabout and adjoining streets, and the 2nd area is in nearby town of Gruene, Texas, which includes Gruene Hall, the oldest Dance Hall in Texas! Most "Spring Breakers" come out to Tube Haus for their "Day Time Activity" and have a blast floating down the Guadalupe River on inner tubes with coolers filled with their favorite beverages and snacks (Alcohol is legal on the Guadalupe River). A very common question is: "Can you drink alcohol on the Guadalupe river? YES it is legal to drink alcohol on the Guadalupe River!!! After a day of tubing down the Guadalupe River, "Spring Breakers" head back to their hotels, hit a shower and then head to their evening destinations for dinner, dancing, music, and entertainment to round out their adventure filled day! Tube Haus will be open daily (7 Days a Week), for Spring Break. Our Hours of Operation will be from 9am to 6pm throughout Spring Break, which usually runs through the first or second week of April... immediately after Spring Break, Tube Haus will switch over to Summer Operating Hours, which we will post right here on our homepage! See Ya When You Git Here! Cheers!  Open daily for Spring Break beginning on March 10th, 2018. (Weather Permitting). Tube Haus will be open the entire "2018 Memorial Day Weekend", including Memorial Day from 9am to 7pm daily! Tube Haus will be open on "Independence Day" and the entire 4th of July Weekend 2018, 9am to 7pm daily! -->

As always, please help keep our Lakes and Rivers clean for everyone's enjoyment, please " Don't Mess With Texas "! Stash your Trash!

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