The Ultimate Guide to Tubing Near Austin

Kick back and enjoy the ride along the best river floats within driving distance of Austin.

We ’re not gon na lie , it gets real live in Texas . There are some months when pace out to get groceries is harder than a CrossFit seance in an infrared sauna ( those bag are awfully clayey duringwatermelon time of year ) . gratefully , in Austin , whereoutdoor activityreigns supreme , local anaesthetic have found a way to take advantage of all our magnificent natural resourcefulness in cattiness ofthe overpowering heat and humidness . accede , tubing .

For those unfamiliar , tubing is whatSoutherners do in the summertime(and whatNortherns do in the winter ) . Take a enceinte inflated internal tubing , rise up a slope , perch your behind in the ring , and countenance the stream take its course . tube is a great fashion to waste away a few lazy hours in the party of dependable friends andcold beers , andall the splattering aboutmakes for a welcomecool downwhen temperatures hit the triple digits . From slow and sequester to packed and popular , there ’s a tubing destination guarantee to meet all your aquatic pauperism . Here are the best local spots for tube , along with information on appurtenance lease , booze regulations , and how to get there .

Lake Travis

AustinTube rentals : Lake Travis Waterloo Adventuresprovides complimentary inflatables , float snap tables , and all the works when you purchase tickets to the Floating Challenge Course . Booze rule : solid food and beverages include wine , beer , and frozen drinks are useable for leverage onsite . If you get laid tubing , you ’ll bed the annual Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures pop - up , open this class on May 14 , 2022 . It ’s part of the Adventure Island chemical compound that hostsLake Travis Zip Liningthroughout the class . summertime is the ultimate company , when the island runneth over with beach games , swimming , and a massive aqua commons made up of a 14 - metrical unit climb tower , ice tower , body of water glide , jump tower with multiple levels , and a 25 - foundation trampoline . When you ’re done on the obstruction row , catch some downtime on the hammock , waiting area chairperson , and of course , a wide range of water system float . drinking coolers are also uncommitted for use at no extra tutelage if you want to keep those iced beverages near . Just do n’t blank out your towel and sunscreen .

Colorado River

Bastrop ( approximately 33 miles from Austin)Tube rentals : BYOT ( institute your own tube).Booze rules : Drink up ( no chalk or styrofoam).Though the Colorado River flows through Austin , the most scenic and convenient spot to congregate is at the Bastrop end . Enter via Fisherman ’s Park , where you ’ll find gentle access and parking in downtown Bastrop , with a paved trail down to the piss making lugging that thermionic vacuum tube a million times promiscuous ( not to mention less muddy ) . Float south towardEl Camino Real Paddling Trail , a wide , easy - move six - mile track where y’ all can barricade for picnics or fall on and savor the lush greenery over the row of a few hour . The banks steepen further downstream , where gorgeous mellow sandstone bluff and cliff await .

Lake Marble Falls

Marble Falls ( more or less 50 miles from Austin)Tube lease : BYOT ( bring your own tube).Booze principle : salute up ( no glass or styrofoam).A low - keystone spot that ’s rarely ever herd — here , you’re able to even expect a passive float on weekends , largely due to the fact that there is n’t much else to do in the area . So bring your tube , make certain the YETI ’s throng with sandwich and drinkable , and enjoy hours of continuous float clip . For those not keen on food preparation , duck into theBlue Bonnet Cafefor curbside pluck - up sandwiches , burgers , and salads en road .

San Marcos River

San Marcos ( more or less 30 miles from Austin)Tube rentals : Texas State Tubesis a substantial choice for pipe rental and necessary transport along the San Marcos River . A restoration shuttlecock drive from Austin and tube rental package will run you $ 55 , while if you work up and bring your own thermionic valve , the three - hour float will only cost you $ 15 . There are also early - bird cost , student , and military deduction , plus bachelor-at-arms and bachelorette party pot available . Booze rules : Drink up ( no glass or styrofoam).Looking for some just , clean playfulness ? San Marcos has you covered — literally , with spring - fed piddle that are among the cleanest you ’ll retrieve in Texas . The expanse is surrounded by vegetation and make for a passably damn scenic float as it waver through Downtown San Marcos and the Texas State campus . For extra excitement , plan your excursion aroundFloat Fest(July 23 to 24 ) . The two - day bash combines camping , tube , and tunes , with a 2022 lineup swash both big names — Marshmello , Vampire Weekend , Chance the Rapper , and more — and local Austin acts .

Comal River

New Braunfels ( close to 50 miles from Austin)Tube rentals : AtTexas Tubes , you’re able to score a tube and shuttle ride for $ 25 , and fuddle a cooler lease into the mix for an extra $ 15.Booze dominion : pledge up ( no glass or styrofoam).An extremely short river — the brusk navigable river in Texas — the Comal is a ace - popular tubing destination and typically draws some pretty sizable crowds , particularly on vacation weekends . Though it ’s not a retentive driveway from Austin and by all odds qualifies as a very doable day trip ( the float typically endure around three hours ) , the arena ’s best hooking is its surrounding attractions : The Gristmill Restaurant ; legendary saltation hallway and music venueGruene Hall ; and , of course , waterslide meccaSchlitterbahn , all of which make spending an entire weekend here totally worth it .

Frio River

Concan ( just about 140 sea mile from Austin)Tube letting : The Frio has mass of outfitters to action your needs — super affordably , at that — asAndy ’s On River RoadandJosh ’s Frio River Outfitteroffer lease for as low as $ 15 per day . Booze rule : fuddle up ( no trash or styrofoam).Texas tubing destinations do n’t get more beautiful than the Frio . In term of atmosphere , this escape is emphatically less political party and more peaceful . With some stretch of absolved piss canopy by cypress tree tree diagram and others surrounded by outrageous cliffs , the float offers the conjuring trick of isolation and provides nature buffs with 47 miles of impressive scenery . Also , “ frio ” is Spanish for cold … so keep that in mind . ( Note : much of the area surround the Frio is a hard drink - free zone , so be sure to be after out front if you want to savor some booze with your views ) .

Guadalupe River

Canyon Lake ( roughly 65 land mile from Austin)New Braunfels , TX ( approximately 50 miles from Austin)Tube rentals : While you ’ve get aton of choiceshere , one notable option isTube Haus , in operation since 1978 . They offer poor , intermediate , and retentive float , and will provide you with river access , a shuttle ride , and a electron tube for $ 20 immediate payment . Booze rules : toast up ( no glass or styrofoam).With an abundance of college tyke and river rats , the Guadalupe can get jolly rowdy , and on the busiest weekends and holidays , the waterway has a bit of a frat party - meets - Mardi Gras vibe . If that ’s your scene , party on , bro . But if you ’re count for a more family - well-disposed float , never revere — there are tamer options , too . adjudicate enter the river throughGuadalupe River State Park , where you may not only swim and tube , but take the merriment to the turf with camping and over 13 miles of tramp and biking trails . Just keep in mind that DoS parks mandate dryness , and you ca n’t exhaust alcoholic drink anywhere on the property . Park Texas Ranger , it seems , do n’t appreciate a dependable political party .

Barton Creek Greenbelt

AustinTube letting : BYOT ( bring your own tube)Booze rules : As a universal prescript , it ’s a nope , but the lines are slightly blurry . ( For representative , you could drink at Bull Creek , but not on the Greenbelt . ) All in all , the best insurance is to obey posted signage and , of track , to be circumspect . After all , no one needs to know the real contents of that Big Gulp . This is n’t tubing in the traditional sense ( in other words , you ’re not really going anywhere ) , but if you ’re looking to hang out on the water within the urban center limit , the Greenbelt , Austin ’s prescribed urban oasis , has you cover . You ’ll have various winner at dissimilar points along the water depending on piddle levels , but swimming holes like Twin Falls , Sculpture Falls , Gus Fruh , and Campbell ’s Hole typically make for skilful spots to bring your tube-shaped structure , post up , and drift up , no crazy commute ask .

Brazos River

Millsap ( some 170 miles from Austin)Tube letting : Depending on where you require to get at the river , there are several different choice for underground rentals . As a start point , moderate outHillbilly Haven , a bivouac that offer up both two - naut mi and five - mile blow trips . Booze rules : drink in up ( no shabu or styrofoam).While the Brazos is n’t exactly in the neighborhood , a sojourn is well worth the time commitment and the commute . Think more than 70 miles of in the main unagitated floatable waters ( do n’t worry , you do n’t have to float all 70 ) . While rental facilities serve as ripe start points , the good part of the Brazos is blazing your own tubing lead . With access point leading from the road to the river every few miles , this course of instruction give you the opportunity to choose your own dangerous undertaking .

Medina River

Bandera ( just about 120 mi from Austin)Tube rental : Medina River Companyoffers tube rentals and straightaway river access . $ 9 gets you a tube atBandera Beach Club , where the season starts the second weekend in May and run through Labor Day ( as long as experimental condition are favorable).Booze convention : Drink up ( no glass or styrofoam).If you choose a more relaxing tubing experience , the Medina is an awesome pick . Quietly winding through a chill burrow of cypress tree trees , the float is scenic , often slow , and sport a quieter tactile property than some of the other , more crowded river . In other words , it does n’t pull as much of the Spring Break demographic . For adulterous action on body politic , retard out the townsfolk ’s roster of excellent saloons including absolved standout11th Street Cowboy Bar .

James Wongis a Libra who spend his time sham to be a vegan , watching wildlife cartridge clip , and booking sheet tickets . Born in London , lived in Tokyo , and now reside in Austin , his great achievement is give Posh Spice a hug in 2016 .

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