Tubing is a summer rite of passage for every Texan, and once the summers feel unbearably long and hot, it becomes a necessity. 

But besides the tradition, tubing is often a relaxing and budget-friendly way to spend a hot summer day. You can bring your own drinks, snacks, and cooler; tubing companies will more often than not shuttle you to and from the drop-in area; and there isn’t any need to stand in long lines to get on a 90-second waterslide.

Here are the three main rivers near Austin fit for tubing.

San Marcos River

When the temps start hitting the triple-digits, hundreds of people flock to the spring-fed San Marcos River that stays a cool 72 degrees all year long. It’s also the closest tubing location to Austin.  

Local tubing companies:

• Austin Tubing Trips, which offers pick-up and drop-off in Downtown Austin, tubes, and cooler set-ups
• Texas State Tubes
• San Marcos Lions Club Tube Rental
• Great Gonzo’s Tubes & Shuttles

Comal River

The Comal River in New Braunfels is just a short drive from Austin and has hosted generations of tubing Texans. Tubers on the spring-fed river float past Wurstfest grounds, pass through downtown New Braunfels, and float by Schlitterbahn Waterpark until joining the Guadalupe River. The Comal River is also famous for its “tube chute,” a giant concrete waterslide downriver from Prince Solms Park. 

Local tubing companies: 

• Comal Tubes
• Texas Tubes
• Rockin’ R at Comal
• 444 Tubing Company
• Corner Tubes

Guadalupe River 

Off of Canyon Lake is the Guadalupe River, which flows 230 miles through multiple cities in the Hill Country all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. You can enter the Guadalupe in multiple locations, including Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Guadalupe State Park in Spring Branch, and Boerne. It’s also the longer of the two floats available in New Braunfels should you want more time in the water. 

Local tubing companies:

• Rockin’ R Gruene
• Tube Haus
• Jerry’s Rentals
• Little Ponderosa River Outfitters

Tubing Rules and Tips: 

• No disposable containers, glass, or foam containers. Keep the river clean. The city of New Braunfels also has a full “can ban” in place, so leave the beer at home. 
• No jumping from bridges, dams, or trees.
• Coolers should (and often must) have a clasp on the lid, and some rivers will have a size limit. 
• Lifejackets are always recommended for weaker swimmers. 
• Wear water shoes or other lace-up shoes. You’ll regret those flip-flops when you’re entering and exiting the river. 
• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Nothing ruins a day of tubing like a raging sunburn. Hats are also a good idea, especially if you have a part in your hair. 
• Alcohol is permitted (as long as it’s in a non-disposable container), so batching a cocktail or spritz is a great idea. But don’t forget water. It’s hot, and you need to hydrate.