Float the River in Texas || What to Know Before Floating the River

Are you planning a trip to float the river in Austin or float the river in Texas? We’re sharing everything you need to know before your float! I’ve gone quite a few times now, and absolutely have some tips and tricks to make it a smooth trip. And every river in Texas is going to give you a different experience! So I hope this helps!

SEE MORE // 10 Watering Holes in Austin To Keep You Cool

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WHICH RIVER & COMPANY TO USE

SAN MARCOS RIVER

This is my personal favorite spot to float the river! The route takes about 3-4 hours and is the best option for groups. Additionally, the Comal & Guadalupe River have become VERY strict on drinks while floating, so if you plan on drinking while floating then I recommend the San Marcos above all other options.

Texas State Tubes
The company I typically use while floating and can personally recommend!

Lions Club Tube Rental
One of the easiest floating routes and a great option if you plan on bringing kids along with you! Only lasts about 1-2 hours!

Ninja Bus
If you want to float but nobody wants to be the DD, then use the Ninja Bus! They leave every Sunday from Native Hostels in Austin so nobody has to drive themselves down. A great option for groups that plan to drink on the river (which, honestly, is probably most of you).

COMAL RIVER

This river floats through downtown New Braunfels and around Schlitterbahn water park! The river is very easy, relaxed, and wide for a more relaxed float. The trip itself is shorter than the San Marcos River and takes about 2-3 hours. I recommend starting at Landa Falls (the longest float option here), otherwise, Chucks Tubes and Comal Tubes are both great!

** currently the Comal River is on a NO CAN BAN and all disposable containers are banned, I got a ticket for having a plastic water bottle (my bad and I know it, but still bitter I got a ticket rather than a warning because I genuinely forgot I stashed it in the cooler and was very psyched to find it later when I needed it **

GUADALUPE RIVER

This is, in my opinion, the prettiest of the floats! I grew up floating the Guadalupe River with my family and actually have not done this one as an adult yet. Here you have a couple of options for length, you can take the short trip at 2 hours or the long trip at about 5 hours. I recommend checking out Tube Haus, Whitewater Sports, or Shanty Tubes here!

** currently the Guadalupe River is on a NO CAN BAN and all disposable containers are banned **

SEE MORE // Your Austin Summer Bucket List With Everything To Do This Summer 2021

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TIPS & WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FLOAT THE RIVER

No Glass or Styrofoam Containers
No glass bottles or styrofoam coolers are allowed on any of the rivers, and right now the Comal & Guadalupe have a no can ban in place too. The San Marcos can always put a can ban, so I HIGHLY recommend avoiding cans at all costs.

Bring Cash
Many places do not take cards, and I would hate for you to be in a position where you need to pay for something extra but can’t!

Tie Yourselves Together
Each of the companies recommended above has twine to tie yourselves together, and you 100% should do this! You get pulled away quickly when the rapids come!

Pack Extra
Let me EMPHASIZE THIS. You WILL run out of drinks. You may think “how could we drink this much!” but when it is boiling hot you crush those beers. Every time I float we have way more than we think we can handle and we always run out before we finish floating. So pack way more than you need!!!!

Pack Water
Someone will drink too much. Someone will feel ill. Someone will want clean water to not feel ill anymore. Prepare for that person.

Prepare to Lose Things
Do not bring anything on that river that you do not want to lose. Shoes will go missing, phones will drown, keys will somewhere disappear. It is life.

Tie your Shoes Up
When floating, use the twine to interlock your shoes with you. This is the only method I have found that saves shoes!

Wear a Swimsuit
You will without a doubt get wet, so come prepared!!!

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READ MORE ON A GIRL FROM TEXAS

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WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

A Large Cooler
Get a larger cooler that can fit inside a tube! Also, ALWAYS pack more drinks than you think you need and fill your cooler with 20% water. It’s so hot you will run out of drinks way faster than you expect, and it is always better to have more hydration than less!

A Water Bottle
Yes, beer on the river is nice. Wanna know what’s even better with 100+ degree heat and drunk people? Water. PACK WATER. Also, I am a big fan of this collapsible water bottle I got off Amazon for like $10 because I can easily fit it right back in my bag later!

Cheap Waterproof Shoes
I have never floated the river without losing at least 1 persons shoes. Bring shoes you don’t care if they float away or get destroyed, but DO NOT got barefoot. You will have to walk on land at some point and that hurts

A Waterproof Phone Case
Well, all love taking pics on the river. Let’s be real. BUT nobody wants to drop their phone in the water and pay thousands to replace it. I recommend getting a water protective case like this one from Spi-belt, and then putting it inside something that is physically connected to your body like their belts!! That way, you get your cute pics but also it won’t cost you a phone.

Sunscreen
We live in Texas, you should know this by now. Bring SO MUCH.

Twine
To tie your tubes together! I love the thin one because it won’t give you rope burn if it hits against you. Also, if it hits a horrible rapid then it’ll break (and you definitely want it to break before youtube breaks or you break).

Snacks, So Many Snacks
Personally, I always pack snacks and never end up eating them, so this is your call!

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Thanks for checking out our Float the River post with all my favorite products and tips for when you float the river this summer! Hope you got to add some to your list to check out soon enough, Austin is full of great spots!