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Comal River
Where To Go
PRINCE SOLMS PARK GATEWAY RIVER ENTRANCE
100 Liebscher
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Looking for info on restaurants, hotels, and other attractions? Check out the VisitNBTX website.
Hours of Operation
The Comal River is always open for recreation, and is only closed during times of high water or for public safety. River Access Parks are open daily from 6am to midnight. Lifeguards are on duty at the City Tube Chute during weekends in May and daily from June to mid-August. Lifeguards are not present after Labor Day.
Comal River Flow
Heavy rains leading to increased river flow can sometimes cause a temporary closure of public access to the Comal River.
Check the Real Time River Flow and use the chart below to see if recreation is currently allowed on the Comal River.
| Flow | River Status |
|---|---|
| 100 - 500 cfs | Recreational flow - all recreation activities are available |
| 500 - 600 cfs | Use extreme caution - all activities questionable - flows of this magnitude are usually caused by rainfall and involve turbid water and floating debris - contact river outfitters for more information |
| 600+ cfs | The Comal River is usually closed at this flow rate |
Parking Info
Paid Parking
Most parking lots are Pay-to-Park, and paid parking is administered by Interstate Parking. Parking fees are non-refundable. NOTE: Parking along most residential streets is prohibited.
Using an outfitter?
River Outfitters typically have on-site parking at no charge AND they provide shuttle service to and from the river. Contact the outfitter of your choice for more information.
Are You a New Braunfels Resident?
Residents of New Braunfels are eligible for a free Resident River Parking Permit, among other resident-only benefits. View the Resident River Parking Map.
Comal River Parking Map
Be advised, most parking lots are Pay-to-Park, and paid parking is administered by Interstate Parking.
Parking fees are non-refundable.
NOTE: Parking along most residential streets is prohibited. (Use this interactive map to see where parking is and is not allowed)
Reminder: Residents of New Braunfels are eligible for a free Resident River Parking Permit, among other resident-only benefits. View the Resident River Parking Map.
Parking Lots & Fees
May 1st - Labor Day 8AM-7PM
- Prince Solms Park
- $20.00 per visit per vehicle
- Hinman Island Drive
- $30.00 per visit per vehicle
- Note: This area is closed on weekends and holidays
- Elizabeth Street Lot
- $10.00 per visit per vehicle
- Note: This lot is Pay-to-Park on weekends and holidays ONLY (Weekdays are free)
- East San Antonio Street
- $20.00 per visit per vehicle
- Mill Street
- $20.00 per visit per vehicle
- Cypress Bend Park (Guadalupe River)
- $20.00 per visit per vehicle
- River Acres Park (Guadalupe River)
- $20.00 per visit per vehicle
NOTE: Residents of New Braunfels are eligible for a free Resident River Parking Permit. View the Resident River Parking Map.
How to Go Tubing
Use a Comal River Tubing Outfitter
A River Outfitter is your one-stop shop for enjoying the Comal River in New Braunfels. Typically, their prices range from $15 to $22 per person, which often includes parking, shuttle service (to and from the river), tube rental, and other fees.
Please contact an outfitter directly for more pricing information and the specific services they offer:
- Comal Tubes - (830) 606-9024
- Corner Tubes - (830) 626-6687
- Felger’s River Center - (830) 625-4003
- Landa Falls - (830) 627-1440
- Landa River Trips - (830) 625-5889
- NB Toobs - (830) 302-7878
- Paddle TX - (830) 212 - 4522
- Rockin’ R River Rides - (830) 620-6262
- Tejas Tubos - (830) 627-1965
- Texas Tubes - (830) 626-9900
- Float In - (830) 359-1524
More information about tubing with an outfitter is available at visitnbtxrivers.com
Rent Tubes from the City Tube Chute
Tubes may be rented from the City Tube Chute facility at Prince Solms Park. PLEASE NOTE: The City Tube Chute does not provide shuttle services. Tubers must walk back to Prince Solms Park after exiting the river at the Last Tubers Exit (approximately 1/2 mile walking on a sidewalk along S. Union Ave.).
Tube rentals and lifeguards are only available during the following times:
May 2023
Saturdays & Sundays 10am-7pm
Memorial Day - Mid-August
Mondays 12-7pm
Tuesday - Sunday 10am-7pm
Mid-August - Labor Day
Saturdays & Sundays 10am-7pm
NOTE: Tubes must be returned by 6:45pm to receive deposit.
Fees
Price: $15 tube rental fee + $20 refundable deposit
River Activity Fees:
Weekdays (except for holidays): A River Activity Wristband is NOT required
Weekends or holidays (from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day): The purchase of $2 River Activity Wristband is required (or use of a Resident River Pass to receive wristband is required for residents). If the holiday (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day) falls on a Tuesday, the $2 fee will also be charged Monday. If the holiday falls on a Thursday, the $2 fee will also be charged on Friday.
NOTE: Prices above do NOT include parking fees.
Planning a visit to the Comal but do not want to float the whole river? For an admission fee of $7, you can relax on the bank of the river at the Chute and use the Tube Chute multiple times. No City Tube Chute admission fee is required if you plan to enter up-river from the City Tube Chute and continue your float to the Last Tuber's Exit.
Bring Your Own Tubes
Personal tubes are allowed on the Comal River as long as they do not exceed five (5) feet in diameter.
Tubers can begin their float at Hinman Island Park or Prince Solms Park at the City Tube Chute. The float will last approximately 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the flow rate and the number of tubers in the water. Once you reach the Last Public Exit you MUST exit the river.
PLEASE NOTE: Shuttle service to and from the river is only available through River Outfitters.
Shuttle rides back to the park are not available to those choosing to tube on their own, and the walk back to the park takes 10-15 minutes.
Fees
Basic Price: The cost of purchasing tubes from a retail vendor (H-E-B, Wal-Mart, Academy, etc.)
River Activity Fees:
Weekdays (except for holidays): A River Activity Wristband is NOT required
Weekends or holidays (from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day): The purchase of $2 River Activity Wristband is required (or use of a Resident River Pass to receive wristband is required for residents). If the holiday (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day) falls on a Tuesday, the $2 fee will also be charged Monday. If the holiday falls on a Thursday, the $2 fee will also be charged on Friday.
Note: Prices above do NOT include parking fees.
Did you lose something on the Comal River? Use our online form and report it!
What Can I Bring?
No Disposable Containers: This includes plastic bottles, aluminum cans, zip-top bags, glass bottles, styrofoam cups or coolers, cardboard boxes, food wrappers, etc.
No littering
No volume drinking devices
No containers under 5 fluid ounces (including containers for jello shots)
Noise devices (radios, boom boxes, speakers, etc.) may not be audible beyond 50 feet
No jumping from bridges or overpasses
Only 1 cooler per person
Coolers can be no bigger than 30 quarts and must have a locking or latch mechanism
Limit of two tubes per person
Tubes or other floatation devices cannot exceed 5 feet (60 inches) in length, width, or diameter; most double tubes are over 5 feet and are not allowed
Canoes and kayaks cannot be over 18 feet (216 inches) in length and may not use the Last Tubers Exit on weekends and holidays