Living in Texas means having to face one simple fact: If you aren’t dedicating at least one day of your summer to a tubing trip out on the river, you aren’t doing it right. Beverage in hand, sun on your skin, cool water, good music, and good company surrounding you – there’s a reason we love it. If you’ve never been tubing before, planning the right trip can be daunting, but you’re not alone — after all, on a perfect, hot summer weekend floating on a perfect, cool Texas river, no one should be! To help kick off your summer activities, we’ve put together the ultimate itinerary for the perfect daytrip that'll leave you tubing like a pro ☀️
First up, you need to decide where to go. There are three hot spots that folks who live in and around Austin think of first:
San Marcos | 6am - 11pm | $25-50 Tube Rental
The San Marcos River is a beloved summer tubing spot for many. Its spring fed water supply means its temperature is consistent year-round. Crystal clear and always refreshing, the river route is surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife scenery that you might find yourself falling in love with. Lions Club Tube rentals last for about 45 minutes to an hour, and include a free shuttle service back to the riverfront. If you want a longer float, Don’s Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes offer routes that go slightly outside of town through Martindale.
Comal River
New Braunfels | 6am - midnight | $15-22 Tube Rental
Another spring-fed option, the Comal River is great for first-time-tubers with a cool, peaceful float that typically lasts for 2-3 hours. Visitors have a number of river outfitters to choose from, so you’ll be sure to have all your tubing needs taken care of.
Guadalupe River
New Braunfels | 10am - 3pm Mon-Thu, 9am Fri-Sun | $25
With the most scenic views and a float that lasts approximately 2 hours, the Guadalupe River’s famous Horseshoe Loop is a classic scene with an iconic natural feel. Offering free parking and shuttle service with the purchase of a tube rental, it’s a wonderful option for a tubing-centric daytrip.
Next, you’ll need to pack! Throw on your swimsuit, a hat/sunglasses that you won’t mind losing in the current, and waterproof EVERYTHING! That means phone protectors, pouches for your belongings, and even shoes… Although there’s no rule that says you can’t go barefoot 😉
Usually, river services will allow you to bring your own beverages in a water bottle of some sort, so just make sure whatever you’re carting along won’t generate excess waste or litter – we love our rivers so much because they’re clean and green, right?
Depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going, you might want to leave early in the day to maximize your time in the sun. Speaking of which, you’ll definitely want to bring extra sunscreen. Don’t forget to reapply!
If you don’t want the day to end too early (and put off the potentially long drive home) there are plenty of things to do in and around San Marcos and New Braunfels for you to explore before the sun goes down.
Gruene Historic District
Beautifully preserved and well-loved, walking around Gruene’s historic district will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the 19th century. A truly unique blend of German and Texan culture, an evening perusal of the vintage storefronts of mom-and-pop shops, antique salons, and leather goods boutiques may be the perfect way to round out an evening of activity.
Gruene Music Hall
If you’ve already decided to spend the evening in Gruene, you’ll definitely want to stop by Gruene Music Hall, which was built in 1878 and remains Texas’ oldest continually operated dance hall. Even if you won’t be staying for a show, the building’s authentic design and vintage feel make it a definite must-see.
San Marcos River Walkway
For those who need a little extra help drying off or simply want to keep the adventure rolling, the riverwalk trail in San Marcos could be just the thing you need. Paved, easygoing, and packed with scenic views of the river and surrounding wildlife, it’s a great place to meander along and relax with.
Whether you were seeking play, relaxation, or adventure, with any luck you’ve now had the perfect tubing day. At Moreland, we know that having a plan helps even the fun stuff get done that much easier. We hope you’ll let us take the reins this Summer so you don’t miss out on a relaxing float and a day full of refreshing fun.
