Quick Answer: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is the original Schlitterbahn, a 70-acre waterpark on the spring-fed Comal River in New Braunfels, Texas. The season usually runs from late spring through early September, single-day tickets recently started around $40 plus tax, and the park sits just minutes from the Gruene Historic District.
Few Texas summers feel complete without a day at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. The original waterpark opened in 1979, and it still pulls families statewide to its rivers, chutes, and uphill water coasters. Living close makes planning simple. Our studio apartments near Gruene in New Braunfels sit a short drive from the gate, so a last-minute pool day is easy. Here's what to know before you go.
What Is Schlitterbahn New Braunfels?
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is a 70-acre outdoor waterpark built along the naturally cold, spring-fed Comal River. Amusement Today has voted it one of the world's best waterparks for more than two decades running. The park splits into four large sections, and each one packs its own rivers, slides, kids' area, and swim-up bar.
Officially known as the Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels, the property pairs the rides with on-site lodging. The name means "slippery road" in German, a nod to the town's heritage. What began as four simple slides in 1979 grew into a sprawling park of award-winning attractions. Ownership shifted recently as well: the Henry family sold the brand to Cedar Fair in 2019, and Cedar Fair later merged with Six Flags, so Six Flags runs the park today.
Inside the Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels
Each section here is about the size of a whole regional waterpark. Blastenhoff holds the Master Blaster water coaster and the wave-powered Torrent River. Over in Surfenburg, you can ride the Boogie Bahn inland surf wave or race down Dragon's Revenge, the original uphill water coaster. Tubenbach features The Falls, billed as the world's longest waterpark ride at 3,600 feet. The Original section keeps the classic Hillside Tube Chute and Raging River going strong.
Families with little kids gravitate to Schatze's Storybrook Park, which the New Braunfels Texas Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort promotes as the world's first water coaster built for children. Newer thrill-seekers head to Wasserbahn Racers, a three-lane racing chute added recently. Between the four zones, you're looking at 45 attractions across the property.
Getting to This Braunfels Texas Water Park
The park sits at 400 N Liberty Ave, close to downtown and the Comal River. General parking is free, and coolers are welcome, so a picnic-style day costs less than you might expect. From the Gruene area, it's roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive, which makes this Braunfels Texas water park an easy morning-to-evening outing without a long haul in the car. Arrive close to opening on summer weekends if you want first crack at Master Blaster before the lines build, and reapply sunscreen often, since the Hill Country sun is no joke.
What Should You Know About Schlitterbahn Tickets and Hours?
Schlitterbahn tickets are cheapest when you buy online in advance, and Schlitterbahn hours shift with the calendar. The outdoor park runs seasonally, roughly late April through mid-September, and daily operating times change from month to month. Check the official calendar for the exact date you plan to visit, since a spring weekday and a July Saturday can look very different.
Pricing moves around too. During the 2025 season, Tour Texas listed single-day admission near $40 plus tax and an unlimited season pass around $105 plus tax. Expect 2026 numbers to differ, and confirm them before you buy. Here's a quick look at the main ways to get in.
| Ticket or Pass | Recent Starting Price* | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Ticket | Around $40 plus tax | A one-day visit, cheapest booked online |
| Season Pass | Around $105 plus tax | Several visits across the summer |
| Add-Ons (cabana, Fast Lane, dining) | Varies | Shade and shorter lines on busy days |
| Resort Stay Plus Admission | Varies by room | Overnight trips with admission included |
*2025 season pricing per Tour Texas. Rates, add-ons, and operating dates change every season, so double-check the official calendar before purchasing.
Staying at the Schlitterbahn Resort
The Schlitterbahn Resort sits right at the New Braunfels park, with six accommodation styles that run from a simple hotel room to a multi-room vacation home. Book an overnight stay during the season and waterpark admission comes bundled from check-in to check-out, which is handy for out-of-town family. If you'd rather live nearby year-round, our community's resort-style pool and other amenities give you a place to cool off long after the park closes for the winter.
Is Schlitterbahn South Padre Texas Part of the Same Park?
No. Searches for Schlitterbahn South Padre Texas point to a park that no longer carries the Schlitterbahn name. The beachfront location on South Padre Island was rebranded years ago, and it runs on its own now, so a New Braunfels season pass won't get you in down on the coast.
Here's the short history. The South Padre park, sometimes searched as Schlitterbahn SPI TX or Schlitterbahn Padre Island, opened in 2001. When the Henry family sold New Braunfels and Galveston, they kept the coastal property, then renamed it in late 2019. You may also spot the old Schlitterbahn Vacation Village name in searches; it belongs to that earlier resort chapter, not the Hill Country park. Today only New Braunfels and Galveston use the Schlitterbahn brand, and Galveston itself changed owners in 2026 while keeping the name for the season. For a Hill Country trip, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is the one you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Schlitterbahn New Braunfels hours?
Hours are seasonal. The outdoor park generally opens in late April and closes by mid-September, with daily times that vary by month and day of the week. Weekends and peak summer days usually run longest. Always confirm the exact schedule on the official operating calendar before you drive out.
2. How much do Schlitterbahn tickets cost?
Prices change each season. In 2025, single-day admission started near $40 plus tax, and a full season pass ran about $105 plus tax, per Tour Texas. Buying online ahead of time is almost always cheaper than paying at the gate. Check current 2026 rates on the park's official site before you go.
3. Can you bring a cooler into Schlitterbahn New Braunfels?
Yes. The park is famously cooler-friendly, so many families pack their own food and drinks for a picnic-style day. General parking is free as well. That combination keeps a full day surprisingly affordable, especially for larger groups who'd otherwise spend a lot at the concession stands. Skip glass containers, which most waterparks don't allow, and stick to cans or plastic to be safe.
4. What are the best rides at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels?
A few signature attractions stand out:
- Master Blaster, the award-winning uphill water coaster in Blastenhoff
- Boogie Bahn, an inland surfing wave you can actually ride
- Dragon's Revenge, the original uphill water coaster
- The Falls, promoted as the world's longest waterpark ride
- Schatze's Storybrook Park for younger kids
5. How far is Schlitterbahn from Gruene and downtown New Braunfels?
The park is central, sitting at 400 N Liberty Ave near the Comal River and downtown. From the Gruene Historic District, plan on roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive depending on traffic. That short hop is one reason so many locals treat a Schlitterbahn day as a spur-of-the-moment summer plan rather than a big production.
Planning Your Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Day
A day at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is one of the easiest summer traditions to plan when you already live in the area. Buy your tickets online, glance at the operating calendar, pack a cooler, and you're set. If settling near all of this Hill Country fun sounds good, take a look at our studio floor plans and picture summers spent minutes from the water. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels really is right down the road.
