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 pastime.
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.
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Best Rivers To Go Tubing in Texas
Frio River
The Frio River is one of the best rivers in Texas to go tubing if you like a quiet environment.
Running through the Texas Hill Country, the Frio River is located in 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 are 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.
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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 make floating here a really enjoyable experience.
Numerous river outfitters service the Guadalupe River near San Antonio, so renting tubes and using a shuttle service for your tubing adventure is easy.
A popular float on the Guadalupe River is the Horseshoe Loop. Depending on the river’s water levels, this relaxing float takes about two hours.
Popular towns for floating near here include Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and San Marcos.
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San Marcos River
Another popular Texas tubing destination is the San Marcos River in San Marcos, Texas.
Grab your inner tube and head to one of Texas’s most popular river tubing spots.
Honestly, floating in San Marcos is always a party!
That can be attributed to the fact that it is close to Texas State University.
The San Marcos River is a tributary of the Guadalupe River. It boasts crystal-clear water for tubing and a cool 72°F temperature 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.
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Comal River
Another favorite in the Lone Star State for river floats is the Comal River, and our favorite place to hit it is the small Texas 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 prepare for your 2-2.5 hour float.
If you don’t have your tubes, you can rent them at one of the tube rentals in the area.
Tubers here definitely bring the party. It is common to see people tubes toting their ice chests 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.
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South Llano River
Head to the South Llano River 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 escape all summer.
Visit the river area around South Llano State Park to enjoy one of Texas’s hidden gems.
This area is very family-friendly, boasting a nice park, beautiful landscape, and park amenities.
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.
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Pedernales River
Our next suggestion for a Texas tubing river is Pedernales Falls, a great Texas Hill Country state park on the way from Austin to Fredericksburg.
When you visit Pedernales Falls, you will be able to see one of the fun waterfalls in Texas and use it as an access point for river-tubing.
If you plan to fish the river from here, note that the park does not rent equipment, so you must show up with your tubes.
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Brazos River
The Brazos River is one of the less popular rivers to float in Texas, so if you like having your own space, it’s for you.
Located near the town of Caddo, Texas, this river is pretty remote so that you might have it all to yourself.
Be sure to visit before summer’s end to take advantage of the best current, as the Brazos River’s flow 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.
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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 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 in Texas and the perfect place for your next river tubing adventure.
Many people bring camping supplies and make floating in Colorado a multi-day excursion!
Floating the Colorado River is a relaxing experience as the flow is mild on this river.
You can just kick back and enjoy the gorgeous Texas scenery surrounding you!
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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 Saturday during the summer, well through mid-August, you can join the locals by grabbing a tube and participating in the Rockin’ the River Festival with live music and fun.
One of the many reasons I love Texas!
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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 this river’s current 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 restrooms, a swimming area, and more.
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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 avoiding 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, and the cup holder is perfect for holding your drink!
Wear Water Shoes
One of the most important things to consider when floating the river in Texas is always to protect yourself.
A part of that protection is to protect your feet.
Water shoes are essential when floating in the river as you never know what is on the ground.
These shoes will keep your feet safe while you are in and out of the water.
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Bring Sun Protection
The Texas sun can be unforgiving, especially when it reflects off of river water or inner tube.
Bring plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often to protect your skin and prevent sunburn.
Of course, just having sunscreen isn’t enough.
You will also want to 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.
Ensure you have several water bottles per person for your float.
We recommend bringing an ice chest and getting a special tube to hold it to keep your water cold.
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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 be useful.
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.
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Don’t Bring Valuables
Our motto is don’t bring anything 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 sunglasses 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 flows enough for 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 materials are prohibited.
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About the Author:
Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.
Cris
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.
texasonly
Sunday 12th of May 2024
You totally should, you would love it!!
Renee
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!
texasonly
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!
Eloise
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.
texasonly
Sunday 17th of July 2022
Thank you for checking it out!
Catherine - Savvy Family Travel
Sunday 17th of July 2022
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!
texasonly
Sunday 17th of July 2022
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 :)