Time to Go Tubing
Summer time in Texas. It's hot. Hit the rivers, bask in the sun, and cool down. Floating the river is the place to be.
Tubing (or "toobing", or "floating") is floating down a slow moving river in an oversized inner tube. Most people get a cooler for beer, put it in another inner tube, and tie it to one of the tubers. Then the whole party latches on to the cooler tube flotilla-style and sits back for a relaxing time.
This will help you plan your trip, pick a river and save some money with links to coupons.
Tubing (or "toobing", or "floating") is floating down a slow moving river in an oversized inner tube. Most people get a cooler for beer, put it in another inner tube, and tie it to one of the tubers. Then the whole party latches on to the cooler tube flotilla-style and sits back for a relaxing time.
This will help you plan your trip, pick a river and save some money with links to coupons.
Tubing Tips
Good ideas no matter what river you are on
DO
Bring tennis shoes, aqua shoes, or river sandals
Bring sunglasses and some way to attach them to you
Put on sunscreen. Put it on before and during your trip
Bring water, cooler, ice. You can buy them from most outfitters if you forget
Bring some food. Anything that can be kpet dry for a little while and eaten quickly. Fruit and sandwiches is a good idea.
Bring alcohol if you are so inclined.
Bring koozies
Get a Life Jacket if you are a bad swimmer. Outfitters will give you one if you ask for it.
Bring a Life Jacket for your dog. Outfitters do not have those. You can purchase them below.
DO NOT
Bring anything made of styrofoam or glass
Tube if you're pregnant. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. It can get very hot and it would be bad if you fell on a rock when you are showing.
Take any valuables on the river. Cell phones and jewelry sink. Leave your keys with the outfitters.
Litter. All of the outfitters will give you a mesh bag for trash
Bring children under 5. Age limits change based on river levels
DO NOT
Guadalupe River
The Guadalupe is easily the most popular river to float in Texas, its character changes as the flow varies. On the weekends, the Guadalupe is a great party river. It is crowded, and it is fun.
Parking, driving, and tubing aren't too affected by a crowd. The river is large, and the outfitters prepared. However, the recent drought has affected water levels. The river is very low and you may want to avoid in until there is more rain. Call the outfitters and see what the current status is.
These outfitters will let you take the horseshoe and the chute.
River Sports Tubes
Hwy 306 @ FM 2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-2450
Tubes: $14 Coupon
White Water Sports
11860 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78132
830-964-3800
Tubes: $15 Coupon
ROX Tubes
12159 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-2730
Tubes: $12
Shanty Tube Rentals
12120 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-3990; 830-237-3460
Tubes: $14-$16 Depending on trip Coupon
Andy's River Toobs
12020 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-907-3009
Tubes: $15 Coupon
Parking, driving, and tubing aren't too affected by a crowd. The river is large, and the outfitters prepared. However, the recent drought has affected water levels. The river is very low and you may want to avoid in until there is more rain. Call the outfitters and see what the current status is.
These outfitters will let you take the horseshoe and the chute.
River Sports Tubes
Hwy 306 @ FM 2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-2450
Tubes: $14 Coupon
White Water Sports
11860 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78132
830-964-3800
Tubes: $15 Coupon
ROX Tubes
12159 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-2730
Tubes: $12
Shanty Tube Rentals
12120 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-964-3990; 830-237-3460
Tubes: $14-$16 Depending on trip Coupon
Andy's River Toobs
12020 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
830-907-3009
Tubes: $15 Coupon
Comal River
Fun for the whole family
The Comal River is the shortest river in the world, check it out in the Guinness Book of World Records. Just under 3 miles in length, the river begins and ends near downtown New Braunfels. It has a concrete lined tube chute and even passes by SchlitterbahnIf the Guadalupe is the party river then the Comal is the family river. There are a number of additional laws to keep in mind on the Comal.
- No containers smaller than 5 ounces (no shots)
- No coolers larger than 16 quarts - will hold about 20 beers. This rule is per person so each person in your party could bring their own cooler.
- Coolers must have a locking mechanism on the lid (zipper, Velcro, latch, cord)
- No noise devices (including radios) that may be heard from 50 feet or more
- No beer bongs
I also recommend finding a way to carry your ID with you as police stroll the banks and will card you.
Corner Tubes
120 S Liberty Ave, New Braunfels
830-626-6687
Tubes: $10 $12 w/ bottom Coupon
Texas Tubes
250 Meusebach, New Braunfels, TX
830-626-9900
Tubes: $11 $14 w/ bottom Coupon
Coolers and Ice Chests
When you are serious about your river trip
Kwik Tek Aqua Oasis
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/23/2009) 
Byers' The Big Bobber Floating Cooler - Red/ White
Amazon Price: $25.25 (as of 12/23/2009)
Airhead Aqua Oasis Floating Cooler
Amazon Price: $68.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Take your animal tubing
Life jackets for your dog or pet are a good idea
Kyjen Outward Hound Designer Pet Saver Life Jacket, Medium, Colors Vary
Amazon Price: $15.26 (as of 12/23/2009)
Designer Pet Saver Life Jacket, X-Small (Colors Vary)
Amazon Price: $17.43 (as of 12/23/2009)
Kyjen Pet Saver Life Jacket for Large Dogs
Amazon Price: $20.64 (as of 12/23/2009)
Let me hear it Tubers
Did I miss anything? Let me know
submit
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Reply
- TravelinTex TravelinTex Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:44 am
- TubeHaus.com is an awesome place to go river tubing... they're located at the beginning of the "horseshoe loop" section of the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake. Even though river levels are low due to the drought in central Texas, the water on the horseshoe loop is still cool and refreshing and a lot of fun to float on 100 degree days! On a different note, Delbert McClinton is playing at the Whitewater Amphitheater this coming Saturday, August 1, 2009, should be a great show...
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Reply
- Spar Spar Jun 3, 2009 @ 11:59 am
- I agree, and how in the hell I stumbled across your post on a random website I dont know. Glad to hear you're making to the wedding. Hope you see this. Streak is right, San Marcos (Blanco River) is a much better float. [in reply to streak_tlu]
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Reply
- streak_tlu streak_tlu May 29, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
- My favorite river to float is the San Marcos and to get out at Don's Fish Camp b/c it's a longer float than the Comal and more secluded than the other two rivers. Have to fight a few crowds of TX State students occasionally, but an all round great float.
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Reply
- Aug 16, 2008 @ 6:18 am
- I really miss doing this especially during summer. :) Wish I could visit this great place.
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Reply
- SusanVillasLewis SusanVillasLewis Jun 20, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
- Nice!! Welcome to the Lone Star State group!!
by ChrisLloyd
My name is Chris Lloyd. I love Austin and everything it has to offer. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of everything going on here. I hope... (more)
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