Quick Answer: What to Bring Tubing on the Comal River: A Packing List comes down to four essentials: reusable non-disposable containers, strong sunscreen, secure water shoes, and a waterproof phone case. New Braunfels enforces a strict can ban, so no aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or glass make it onto the water. Pour your drinks into a Yeti or tumbler before you go.
Pack smart and your float is pure Hill Country bliss. Get it wrong and you risk a fine or a phone lost at the bottom of the river. Knowing what to bring tubing on the Comal River: a packing list built around New Braunfels rules is the easiest way to start the day right. Gruene Pointe Apartments sits minutes from the water in New Braunfels, TX, so we put together this tested, local checklist for anyone floating the Comal this season.
What to Pack for Comal River Tubing in New Braunfels Texas
The short answer for comal river tubing gear is simple: bring what you can reuse and leave anything single-use in the car. Your core kit is reusable drink containers, sunscreen, water shoes, a waterproof phone pouch, cash or a card, and a locking cooler. Everything past that is just comfort and personal preference.
Here's the full packing list, tuned to the river's rules and its 70 to 72 degree spring water:
- Reusable containers: Yeti tumblers, Stanley cups, canteens, or a big insulated jug for drinks and snacks.
- Reef-safe sunscreen: the float runs two to three hours with little shade in spots.
- Secure water shoes: the riverbed has rocks and drop-offs, and the pavement near the exits gets scorching.
- Waterproof phone case with a neck strap: locals lose phones on the Comal every single summer.
- A 30-quart cooler with a locking lid: one per person, and no Styrofoam.
- Cash or a card in a dry bag: for wristbands, parking, and a post-float bite.
- Sunglasses with a strap, a hat, and a rash guard for extra sun cover.
Reusable Containers and the Can Ban
This is the rule that trips up first-timers. Aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, glass, chip bags, and even Ziploc baggies count as disposable containers and are banned on the river. Transfer beer, water, or cocktails into a tumbler, flask, or hydration pack before you arrive. A soft-sided cooler works well here since it molds to the shape of your tube.
Sun, Shoes, and Safety Gear
Texas sun is no joke on open water. A hat, polarized sunglasses on a strap, and reef-safe sunscreen keep you comfortable for the full float. Closed-toe water shoes protect your feet from sharp rocks and hot concrete near the exits. Life jackets are free to borrow from outfitters and smart to grab for weak swimmers and kids.
What Are the Comal River Floating Rules Before You Go?
The comal river floating rules are set by the City of New Braunfels, not the outfitters, and they apply to everyone whether you rent gear or bring your own tube. The headline rule is the disposable container ban, but cooler size, tube size, and glass limits matter too. Break them and fines can reach $500 per ticket.
Before you load the cooler, scan these tubing comal river rules so nothing gets confiscated at the gate. The City of New Braunfels publishes the full ordinance and a river safety guide on its official tubing page.
| Bring This On The River | Leave This In The Car |
|---|---|
| Reusable tumblers, canteens, and flasks | Aluminum cans and plastic bottles |
| One 30-quart cooler with a locking lid | Glass and Styrofoam (Texas state law) |
| A single tube up to five feet wide | Double or oversized tandem tubes |
| Sunscreen, water shoes, and hats | Chip bags, wrappers, and Ziploc baggies |
| Free-to-borrow life jackets | Beer bongs and volume drinking devices |
| Cash, cards, and a waterproof phone case | Any container under five fluid ounces |
| Anything reusable and dishwasher safe | Anything single-use, or a $500 fine |
One more note for comal river tubing tx trips: keep the noise down, since speakers can't be audible past 50 feet, and never jump from bridges or the dam. Locals sometimes spell the sport "toobs" or "toobing," and outfitters like NB Toobs lean into the nickname, but the comal river toobs rules are identical no matter how you say it.
Comal River Tubing Cost and Where to Float
Comal river tubing cost depends on your outfitter and the day of the week. The City of New Braunfels lists outfitter prices around $15 to $22 per person, though several outfitters post $25 for the 2026 season with a tube, shuttle, and parking bundled in. Renting a tube straight from the city runs $15 plus a refundable $20 deposit.
Budget a few extras on top of the base rate. Coolers rent for about $15 with a small deposit, weekend and holiday floats add a $2 river management wristband from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and city parking ranges from $10 at Elizabeth Avenue to $30 at Hinman Island. Prices shift often, so confirm with your outfitter before you drive out.
Places to Float the Comal River
The best places to float the Comal River start at the top and end where it meets the Guadalupe. Prince Solms Park is the main entry point and home of the famous Tube Chute, a concrete slide that carries you around the dam. Hinman Island Park is a quieter place to start, and Landa Falls at the Wurstfest grounds offers the longest float on the river. Whichever you choose, you have to exit at the Last Public Exit, then it's a short walk or shuttle back to the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Comal River tubing cost?
Plan on roughly $15 to $25 per person for a tube and a return shuttle, depending on the outfitter and whether it's a weekend. Add a $2 river wristband on summer holidays and weekends, plus parking if you're not using an outfitter lot. Confirm current pricing directly, since rates change each season.
2. What can I bring on the Comal River?
Bring anything reusable and leave single-use items behind. A quick-reference list:
- Reusable drink containers like tumblers, canteens, or jugs
- One 30-quart cooler per person with a locking lid
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes
- A waterproof phone case and cash or a card
- A single tube no wider than five feet
3. Can you drink alcohol while tubing the Comal River?
Yes. Alcohol is legal on the Comal for anyone of legal drinking age, as long as it's in a non-disposable container. Pour beer, wine, or cocktails into a tumbler or flask before you arrive. Cans and bottles are banned even inside a cooler, so plan ahead and drink responsibly on the water.
4. How long does it take to float the Comal River?
Most floats run about two to three hours, depending on the flow rate and how many stops you make along the way. The Comal is spring-fed and holds a steady 70 to 72 degrees year-round, so the water feels the same in July as it does in September. Routes from Landa Falls can take longer.
5. Do I need a reservation to tube the Comal River?
It depends on the outfitter. Many run first-come, first-served, while others let you book tube packages online to speed up entry. On busy summer weekends, parking near Prince Solms Park fills before mid-morning, so arriving early or reserving ahead saves you real stress. Check your outfitter's site for the current 2026 booking policy.
Conclusion
Nail what to bring tubing on the Comal River: a packing list of reusable containers, sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof phone case, and the rest of the day takes care of itself. Respect the can ban, size your cooler right, and you'll float the Comal without a single hitch. Living close makes it even easier. Gruene Pointe Apartments is minutes from the river, with a resort-style pool and community amenities for the days you'd rather stay dry. Explore our studio floor plans and make New Braunfels tubing part of your everyday summer.
