Updated: New Braunfels Tubing/Rafting Trip

The Comal is far more "family friendly" than the Guadalupe (Canyon Lake/Gruene). The Guadalupe tends to attract more college-aged kids and highly inappropriate/drunken/sexual behavior & nudity.

My parents live in New Braunfels. Due to the drought, the Guadalupe is REALLY low. Lots of rocks for you to bottom out and the water's not moving. So, plan to hit the Comal River. It's still fun. I recommend Rockin R tubes- you can also usually find coupons for them online. The tube shoots are fun too. As far as what to take, I advise swim shoes, it's not fun to get to a rocky area and carry your tube over rocks without them. Do not bring expensive glasses or anything. I lost my $200 glasses by accident and was pretty ticked. Bring a ziplock for any money/ID. They also sell little waterproof necklace things that can hold your $/ID/CC. As for drinks- the cooler laws have changed, especially on the Comal. I believe you have to have small coolers- you might want to check the size requirements. No glass. It's REALLY a fun trip. I hope you have a great time! For the future, when there's not a drought issue, the Comal is usually more family friendly and the Guadalupe is wild and crazy- lots of partying.

Right now I wouldn't suggest a river trip. The droughts are causing Canyon Lake to be very low and that means they cannot let much water out to the river. With that being said..the Guadalupe is probably VERY low and VERY slow. This means that there will be several places you will have to walk and carry your tube. The Comal is typically higher when the Guadalupe is not, but it runs through populated areas that are surrounded by rented condos and apartments. Let's just say the only time I went down that river, my daughter (then 10) got a male anatomy lesson from someone standing on a balcony :-(

Your best bet is probably going to be the Schliterbaun (sp). However, if you decide to brave the river, your will want to stay at one of the campgrounds that provide tubes and shuttle service. Most of the properties around the river are "private property" and have signs posted. Unless you are a shuttle service you cannot get out of the river. The shuttles have contracts with various property owners and there take-out spots are clearly marked.

Be sure to pack an ice chest with food and drinks for your trip down the river. Get a separate tube and take rope to secure the chest to the tube. Remember glass is NOT allowed on the river. Secure your electronic devices and money in zip-lock freezer backs. I always double bag mine and throw them in the ice chest.

Some of the better campgrounds to stay at are: O'Henry's and Mountain Breeze. They have HOT showers and trees. O'Henry's has a small store on property and Mountain Breeze has a bar/grill.

Have Fun!

If you can take them to dinner at the Grismill it is a really cool and fun place to eat, very different experience. It is actually an old mill turned into a restaurant, there are many different levels and lots of outdoor seating overlooking the river. We even saw a racoon while we were dining. You can look them up online (in Gruene TX) to see a menu and pricing. I think they'll have fun there.

LOVE going down there. We just took our kids for the first time (they are almost 4) and did the Comal. The Lupe is going very slow because of the drought. The river outfitter we used was Chuck's and they were super. Stay at a campground type place along River Road that's cheap and has a kitchen so you don't have to spend money on out to eat. All you need is A/C and a shower. While you are there you can also check out Schlitterbahn. Pricey but worth it. You can get coupons online if you google a little.

My SIL lives in San Marcos, and said they can't go tubing this year, because the river is SOOOO low.
You may want to check into it more, and do something else, until it rains here at least!

I have never been but I've heard its a blast! I wanta go!!

I live on the guadalupe river. There are a lot of places to get dropped of (they drop you off up-river then pick you up after their estimated time). We river raft a lot, but in our private area where other rafters do not go.

That being said - you can do New Braunfels, Spring Branch, Kendalia.... The Guadalupe River winds thru all these places.

What to take? PLENTY of sunscreen, plenty of drinks, ice (many people put a cooler in a tube and float their cooler with them. Our HEB also sells inflatable coolers). If you go with a service, I think they will provide the tubes for you. If not, then bring something to blow your own tubes up with. Our friend brings his leaf blower with a nozzel and it is the fastest at blowing up the inner-tubes. Make sure you put sunscreen on your tummy if you have a bikini, plus a little lower in case your suit shifts. Get sunscreen on your armpits too, as you have your arms at such an angle that it can easily burn. Also - the river is not flowing super-fast due to the drought. You may have to get out and walk thru the shallow parts. Or you may have to get out and swim. OH bring ROPE so you can tie yourselves together and float as one unit.
Anything else? Edit your question or PM me if you might have more questions.

Wear matching shirts in an obnoxious color. Like bright orange. Then you can spot your group on the water no matter where they are. It makes for a much more peaceful trip from a mom perspective!

Have fun!

You have gotten great info. I would recommend again water shoes or old shoes or something. I wore flip flops last year, and of course I lost one. Not so much fun walking after that. A hat might be a good idea, and like someone else said, nothing too expensive. I also would agree that the Comal is going to be more family friendly, but if it's the only river really running this year, the college kids may be on it. So just be prepared. The Lupe is FULL of college kids so the language, drinking and behavior is that of college kids. I LOVE tubing the river, and hope you have an awesome time.

We've used the Rockin R on the Comal several times. You rent the tube from them and they pick you up and bus you back to your car at the end. It can be a good idea to rent an extra tube with a bottom for your cooler. Take plenty of water and sunscreen. I think you have two choices on a shorter trip or the whole way down. Take into account the heat and peoples personalities. It can be a fun, but very long day. I think styrofoam coolers are not allowed in the rivers so check on that. Wear a good water shoe, there can be sharp rocks, etc. Check the water level before y'all plan the trip. If it's low it can be a real pain dragging the bottom of the river. The later into the summer you wait the more likely it will be low due to lack of summer rain. Have fun!

Just happened to see your post this morning, then received an email for a daily deal on tubes at Comel Tubes:
http://www.crowdsavings.com/dallas?aff_id=Family
$15 for 2 Tubes w/Bottoms & 6-Pack Water ($30 Value)
Looks like you can buy up to four deals.

We drove by there on our way to Canyon Lake last weekend and it's not very deep right now. Our friends who go regularly said that as soon as you hit the tube you bottom out.

I haven't been, but I've heard it's a lot of fun. A lot of people have cooler radios that they have floating on their own tube so you'll have music going.

Other than that I would say sunscreen and water. Also, be prepared because most people (at least the ones that I know) do nothing but drink while on the river and there are a lot of drunks around, so just be prepared.

Have fun!

Go on the Comal for sure. The guad is a big party plus they only offer longer trips. You can do the Comal in an hour and go back several times. I like Texas tubes. If you want to stay down there in a cabin though we really like The Other Place. They sell out most of the time but if you can get a room, love it. Have fun!