Resident Information

Tubers are pushed out of the Tube Chute and into the open water on the Comal River

Residents of New Braunfels (as determined by the City's General Reference Map) are eligible to receive free Resident River Parking Permits and Resident River Passes.

PARKING: Resident River Parking Permits allow New Braunfels residents to park for free in certain designated paid parking areas.


SWIMMING/TUBING: Resident River Passes allow New Braunfels residents to bypass paying the $2 River Management Fee in order to get a wristband.


Please Note: Resident Passes are only issued to those who live inside the incorporated area of the New Braunfels city limits. While your mailing address might say New Braunfels, your residence may not actually be within New Braunfels city limits. The City uses the General Reference Map to determine if your address is within New Braunfels city limits.

Are You a Resident of New Braunfels?

Resident River Parking Permits

The City of New Braunfels is updating the free Resident River Parking Permit process, with all passes going digital as of April 1st, 2025. 

All residents of New Braunfels (that live within the City limits as determined by the City’s General Reference Map are eligible for a free Resident River Parking Permit, which allows them to park for free at most of the City’s river access parks, including parking lots on:

  • Elizabeth Avenue
  • Hinman Island Drive
  • San Antonio Street
  • Mill Street
  • Fair Lane at River Acres Park
  • Cypress Bend Park

Please note that the Resident River Parking Permit does not provide free parking at Prince Solms Park where the parking fee is $20 during the summer season, which runs from May 1st to Labor Day. 

The previous process required residents to apply for a permit in person at either the Parks Administrative Office or Das Rec during regular business hours, and a physical sticker was issued that was valid for three years. Under the new process, which begins April 1st, residents can submit their proof of residency and insurance information online and be issued a sticker-less parking permit that will be valid for one year. Residents may register any vehicles that are listed on their vehicle insurance policy.

IMPORTANT: Regardless of when you previously registered for a Resident River Parking Permit, all permits must now be issued through the online portal.

Once a registration request has been submitted, approval of the permit will take approximately 24 hours. Once a resident receives their confirmation email, residents are then eligible to park for free and there are no additional steps necessary once they arrive at the river park. Just park….and go! 

Residents can begin registering their vehicles for the free Resident River Parking Permit on April 1st through Interstate Parking Company.

Places to Park

Below are maps of places where residents can use their Resident River Parking Pass to park for free. Click on each map to see a larger view.

Please Note: Residents and Non-Residents must pay for parking in Prince Solms Park between May 1st and Labor Day.

  1. Comal River PArking
  2. River Acres Park
  3. Cypress Bend Park

Paid_Public_Parking_

Resident River PAsses

As a resident of New Braunfels, you can bypass paying the $2 River Management Fee by presenting a Resident River Permits at one of the city operated wristband booths in order to receive a wristband. You can also use your Resident River Pass at any outfitter to have the River Management Fee waived. Once you receive your wristband, you no longer need to carry the Resident River Pass, but the wristband is required. Resident River Passes can be used for wristbands on both the Comal River and the Guadalupe River. 

Remember, anyone using tubes or other floatation devices at the City Tube Chute, Prince Solms Park, Hinman Island, or public exits on the Comal or Guadalupe Rivers MUST have a wristband.

The wristband booths are open 9am-6pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. If you are accessing the river outside of these hours, you will not need a wristband. If you are getting on the river using private property, but still using a public exit, you will need a wristband. If you are entering and exiting using private property, a wristband is not required.

Your first Resident River Pass is free, but expect a $5 charge for replacement passes.

Take your proof of residency to the Parks Admin office in Landa Park or to Das Rec during operating hours to obtain your resident river pass. This pass is valid for three years and is printed with a photo, so all recipients must be present to receive their pass.