New Braunfels river rules: where to tube and what to bring

The five-foot limit on tubes and other flotation devices applies to the Comal River only: the city says most double tubes exceed it, but double tubes are permitted on the Guadalupe. For a Comal float using your own tube, the city directs tubers to exit at the Last Public Exit. Its tubing page says there is no shuttle for people floating on their own, so plan for the walk back rather than assuming a ride is included.

Choose an entry point and check conditions

For the city portion of the Guadalupe, Cypress Bend Park is at 503 Peace Avenue and River Acres Park is at 501 Fair Lane. The city says river access parks open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. It also sets different recreation limits as flow rises: its guidance says tubing is barred from 1,000 to 3,000 cubic feet per second, and recreation is limited to guided rafting trips at 3,000 cubic feet per second and above. Those thresholds are rules to check against current conditions, not a statement of today's flow or access status.

What costs extra in summer

On weekdays other than holidays, the city's Comal tubing page says a river activity wristband is not required. On applicable weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, it lists a $2 wristband, or a Resident River Pass used to receive one for residents. The page also lists a separate $7 admission for someone who wants to stay at the City Tube Chute and use it repeatedly. Entering upstream and continuing to the Last Tuber's Exit does not require that Tube Chute admission fee, according to the city.

Before going, use the city's Guadalupe River page to check its flow-based recreation limits and its tubing page to check Comal access and any applicable seasonal charges. The Guadalupe guidance expressly covers only the river inside New Braunfels city limits; consult the authority for any stretch outside those limits. For questions about the city's pages, New Braunfels lists City Hall at 550 Landa St. and 830-221-4000.