New Braunfels
Family Trip Guide

If your family includes children under 4, they are absolutely welcome on the property — they just cannot enter the river to tube. The 8-acre riverfront has plenty of shaded space, picnic tables, and river bank access where younger children can splash in the shallows and enjoy the day while older family members float. It is a genuinely spacious property and families make it work comfortably.

Families have a few extra considerations compared to groups of adults. Here is the complete packing list for a New Braunfels family trip on the Comal River.

• ✓
  Water shoes or sandals with straps for every child — flip flops float away or get pulled off by the current. Crocs with the back strap locked down are ideal for kids. Whatever footwear you choose must be secured to the foot.
• ✓
  Sunscreen — and lots of it — 2.5 hours in open Texas sun is a long time for kids. Apply generously before leaving the property and bring extra to reapply at the end. A sunburned child makes for a miserable drive home.
• ✓
  Plenty of water — kids dehydrate faster than adults and they will not always tell you they are thirsty. Bring a full reusable water bottle for every child and refill before getting in. Remember the container ban — reusable bottles only, no plastic disposables.
• ✓
  Hats for sun protection — wide-brimmed hats or baseball caps with neck coverage are ideal for kids on the river. The Texas sun is intense and there is very little overhead shade on the water itself.
• ✓
  A compact umbrella or small pop-up shade tent — if you plan to spend time on the river bank before or after the float, a small shade option is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade for families with young kids.
• ✓
  Snacks and lunch in reusable containers — pack food in Tupperware or snap-top containers. Remove everything from original store packaging before you arrive. The container ban applies to food packaging too — no original wrappers, bags, or boxes on the river. Pack it at home the night before and you will have no issues.
• ✓
  Soft-sided cooler (30 qt max per person) — a fabric bag-style cooler is easier to manage on the water with kids than a rigid hard cooler. Keeps drinks cold and fits the irregular shapes of reusable containers much better.
• ✓
  Life jackets for young or nervous swimmers — free at our booth with a $20 deposit. Bring your own if your child has a preferred fit, or pick one up from us when you check in.
• ✓
  Waterproof phone case or dry bag — you will want photos and the river will get everything wet. A simple lanyard-style waterproof case is plenty. Use our free lockers for anything you do not want near the water.
• !
  No cans or plastic bottles — New Braunfels city ordinance prohibits all single-use disposable containers on the Comal River. This includes cans, plastic bottles, juice boxes, and disposable cups. Everything must be in reusable containers. See the full container ban explanation linked below.

Landa River Trips has three river entry stairways on the property. For families with young children the second set of stairs is the recommended entry point. Here is why and how to get there.

Stairway 2 is located under the railroad bridge — walk through the gate from the main property, follow the road down the hill to the right, and curve left along the river bank. Look for the bridge, walk under it, and the stairs are on the left. The river at this entry point is at a manageable depth for families and the stairway provides a stable, controlled entry into the water.

Not every member of the family needs to float to have a great day at Landa River Trips. Our 8-acre property has 1,400 feet of natural Comal River frontage with shaded picnic tables, river bank access, and plenty of space for families to spread out and enjoy the day at their own pace.

Children under 4 who cannot enter the river to tube are welcome on the property and at the river bank. The shallower sections near the bank are accessible for splashing and wading without entering the main river current. Parents with young children often set up at a picnic table near the bank while older siblings or adults float and return via the shuttle.

The property is deeply shaded by mature oak and pecan trees — genuinely cooler than the surrounding area even in the middle of a Texas summer afternoon. Bring that umbrella or pop-up shade tent for extra coverage for the youngest kids and you will have a comfortable base for the day regardless of whether everyone is in the water.

The Comal River Tube Chute is the most famous feature of the float and most kids absolutely love it. There is a fast drop and a short burst of turbulent white water at the exit that is exciting, over quickly, and completely manageable for kids who are comfortable in the water and enthusiastic about the experience.

That said, the Tube Chute is not right for every child. The exit pool has a strong current and a whirlpool can form that may be difficult for weak swimmers to navigate. For younger children, nervous swimmers, or any child who is not confident in moving water, the walk-around path is clearly marked and very commonly used. No one is ever required to go through the Tube Chute and walking around is the right call for plenty of kids.

Here is the New Braunfels family trip weekend laid out from Friday arrival to Sunday departure. Built around the Saturday float with family-friendly options for every part of the weekend.

Off the river by noon with the afternoon ahead of you. Here are the best family-friendly options for Saturday afternoon on a New Braunfels family trip.

One of the best kept secrets of a New Braunfels family trip is that you do not have to leave Landa River Trips immediately after the float. The picnic tables on the 8-acre property are a perfect spot for a family lunch — unpack the food you brought in your reusable containers, sit in the shade, and let the kids decompress from the float before loading everyone back in the car. It is free, convenient, and far less stressful than bundling a wet family into a restaurant right off the shuttle.