The heat of summer is often unbearable, and the heat can be dangerous! Tubing in Texas is one of the best ways to have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and stay cool in the process. With so many places to go tubing around Austin, there are options for every occasion. Whether you want to party with friends or enjoy a relaxing day with your family, you’ll have many destinations to choose from. Keep reading for the best lazy rivers in Texas. They’ll float your boat!
San Marcos river tubing is one of the absolute best rivers to cool down in. Because it’s spring-fed, it stays clear and cold on even the hottest of summer days.
There’s also something for everyone at the San Marcos river float since there are two different parts.
If you go through San Marcos city park entrance, you’ll enjoy a more kid-friendly experience. This part of the river goes through downtown San Marcos but it also has lots of vegetation so you still feel somewhat secluded.
If you’re looking for a more grown-up experience, hit up the wide, slow part of the river. It takes about 3 hours. Because of the wideness, it’s perfect for big groups. So if you want to have fun and party with your adult friends, this is the perfect spot.
Ready to float? We take care of everything when you book a tubing trip with us.
If you want to feel like you’re at a party or planning a bachelor/bachelorette party, this might be the perfect spot for you. Alcohol is permitted, as long as there is no glass or styrofoam. That being said, it gets a little crazy on the weekends so it might not be the best spot for little kids. But if you’re taking the weekend away from school with friends, it’s the perfect spot to stay cool and unwind!
If you access the river through Guadalupe State Park, you can make a whole weekend out of it by opting to camp out and hike some trails while you’re at it. There are over 13 miles of hiking trails!
If you are coming from Austin, the Guadalupe River is about 55 miles away.
Prefer not to drive yourself? Check out our river tubing trips!
Just like its name implies, the Frio River is a little bit colder than others. It’s also a little bit of a hike, being that it’s about 140 miles from Austin. But if you want beautiful scenery and a calm vibe floating the Frio River is well worth the drive. There are steep cliffs, stretches of clear water, and Cypress trees that make up impressive canopies. All in all, it’s a stretch of diverse and beautiful scenery.
It’s also much less of a party than the Guadalupe and is a great family activity.
The Comal River is only about 50 miles from Austin. It’s the shortest navigable river in Texas and because of its location and short ride, the Comal is one of the more popular spots for tubing in Texas.
It takes about 3 hours to float this lazy river, but you might want to make a longer trip out of it with the many attractions New Braunfels has. There’s a legendary dance hall, a huge waterpark, and loads of tasty restaurants on or near the river.
Go during the week to avoid the crowds or during a holiday weekend to join it!
Right in Austin, the Greenbelt is one of the best spots to unwind and relax on a hot summer day. Natural pools and hidden hangouts are scattered along the river, you just have to know the right greenbelt entrance to use.
The best part about it is that if you’re an Austin native, there’s no commute required!
You won’t get a “tubing adventure” on the greenbelt like some of the other rivers we’ll mention. But it’s the perfect spot to close your eyes, forget about your worries and relax on a tube or swim in the water. While no alcohol is permitted, the lines are a little blurry here. That being said, we recommend abiding by the signage! ;)
Make sure to grab a few delicious tacos after you float
Are you new to tubing? Everyone is at some point or another! Either way, there are a few tips and tricks that will make your tubing experience better from the get-go.
After a day of tubing, you’ll have worked up a big appetite. And what better way to satisfy that hunger than to indulge in some of the best tacos in the world! Austin has some delicious spots for eating tacos and the best BBQ you can find.
Wanna learn more about river tubing? Check out our Texas River Float Guide.
