Comal River Tubing FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO — QUICK RULES:

Are double tubes allowed on the Comal River?

No. The City of New Braunfels has an ordinance prohibiting any flotation device larger than 5 feet in diameter on the Comal River. This includes double tubes. If you bring an oversized tube, authorities will stop you, the tube will be deflated, and you may be issued a citation. Landa River Trips does not rent double tubes and will not provide shuttle service for them. All tubes rented from us are fully compliant with city ordinance. For more details visit our Tube Chute page.

Can I reserve tubes in advance or is it walk-up only?

Landa River Trips is walk-up only — no reservations needed. We rarely run out of tubes, but we strongly recommend arriving before 12:00 PM to ensure availability, secure a good parking spot, and enjoy a less crowded river.

When is the best time to float?

The best time to float the Comal River is early in the morning. Groups arriving between 9 AM and 10 AM will enjoy plenty of parking, short lines, and a crowd-free river. Families are best served on weekdays and early on weekend mornings. Party crowds typically arrive around 12:30 PM on weekends. Parking fills quickly — on busy Saturdays it can be full as early as 11:00 AM. Come early and come prepared!

What should we bring on the river?

Only bring what you are willing to lose — the river giveth and the river taketh away. Avoid valuables. The most commonly lost items are cell phones, wallets, and jewelry. We recommend floating light as anything you bring will get wet and you will need to carry it for up to 4 hours and back to the exit.

Do you have parking?

Yes! Landa River Trips has over 250 parking spots on site, right on the river — no shuttle to the water needed. Parking is first come, first served. We recommend arriving early and carpooling. Large trucks may have difficulty parking in and around New Braunfels. On busy Saturdays parking can fill as early as 11:00 AM. Visit our Parking page for full details.

What are your hours?

Landa River Trips is open 7 days a week. We open at 9:00 AM. The last river entry is at 4:00 PM and the last shuttle runs at 8:00 PM. It is always best to call ahead as float times can change depending on weather and river conditions. (830) 625-1211

Where are you located and where is the river exit?

Landa River Trips is located at 565 N Market St, New Braunfels, TX 78130 — at the very beginning of the Comal River. You park, get your tube, and enter the river all in the same place. No shuttle to the water needed.

The river exit is the city’s last public exit on the Comal River, located at the corner of Union Street, South Union Street, and West Lincoln Street. View on Google Maps →

Is the container ban active on the Comal River?

Yes. The City of New Braunfels strictly enforces a no disposable container ordinance (Chapter 86.14) on the Comal River. Nothing disposable is allowed on the river — no cans, plastic bottles, glass, chip bags, or Styrofoam. Violations are subject to fines of up to $500. Visit our River Rules page for the full list of what is and is not allowed.

Is alcohol allowed on the Comal River?

Yes! Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the Comal River as long as they are in a reusable container before you enter the river. No cans, glass bottles, or disposable cups are permitted. Pre-pour your drinks into reusable tumblers, cups, or jugs before you get on the river. See our River Rules page for full container policy details.

What size cooler can we bring?

You may bring one 30-quart cooler per person on the Comal River. This is a City of New Braunfels ordinance. All coolers must have a locking mechanism to secure the lid. Consider renting a Cooler Tube from Landa River Trips to keep everything cold and hands-free on the float.

Can I bring my own tube?

Yes, however the cost is the same. We do not offer free river entry. Landa River Trips offers a commercial-grade air compressor on site — it is self-serve and you are responsible for your float.

Be aware that personal tubes are designed for pools and home recreation — not rivers. Landa River Trips uses special commercial-grade tubes built to handle the river and shuttle conditions. Personal tubes have earned the nickname “WillPops” because they WILL POP. You have been warned!

Can we bring rope to tie tubes together?

Landa River Trips does not provide rope and strongly discourages tying tubes together. Rope creates serious safety hazards including degloving injuries, drowning risk, chute blockages, and tube flipping. If you choose to connect tubes, connect no more than two, keep the connection short, and use large carabiner clips that can be quickly disconnected in an emergency. Always disconnect before entering the Tube Chute.

For full rope safety details visit our Tube Chute page.

Do we need a deposit to rent tubes?

Yes, a valid photo ID is required to rent tubes. We do not accept keys as a deposit. We do offer free lockers where you can store your keys. Only the owner of the ID can collect the deposit. See our Pricing page for full rental details.

How long is the float?

The Comal River float typically takes around two and a half hours. Float times can change depending on weather and river conditions. It is always best to call ahead at (830) 625-1211 for current float times before you arrive.

How deep is the Comal River?

The Comal River varies in depth from one foot to approximately 15 feet, with the deepest section in front of the Tube Chute dam. Because of the river’s natural formation you won’t know the depth without getting in. We strongly recommend life jackets for weak swimmers. The Comal River only has lifeguards at the Tube Chute provided by New Braunfels Parks and Recreation. The rest of the river has no lifeguards. Your safety is your responsibility.

Is the Comal River safe for non-swimmers or beginners?

The Comal River varies in depth from one foot to 15 feet before the Tube Chute. If you wear a properly fitted life jacket and take appropriate precautions you should not have any issues enjoying the float. Landa River Trips provides free life jackets with a $20 deposit. For better comfort we recommend bringing a life jacket that fits each individual person. Never float alone if you are a weak swimmer.

Are there locations to stop during the float?

Yes! There are several shallow spots on the Comal River perfect for taking a break. The most popular stops are after the Tube Chute (the first chute on the Comal River) and after the Warneke Chute (the last chute on the Comal River). There is also a bar and grill located next to the Tube Chute where you can grab a drink. Keep in mind that much of the riverbank is private property — please respect the privacy of homeowners along the river.

Is there food or drinks available near the river?

We strongly recommend bringing your own food and drinks in reusable containers. There is one bar and grill located at the Tube Chute where you can purchase drinks. Beyond that there are no other food or drink options on the river. Plan ahead and pack what you need before you arrive — remember all food and drinks must be in reusable containers per the City of New Braunfels container ban.

Where can I change clothes or use a restroom?

Landa River Trips has restrooms, lockers, and showers on site at our location on the Comal River. These are available to our customers before and after your float.

What happens if my tube pops?

If you are using a Landa River Trips tube and it pops due to a manufacturer defect we will do our best to assist you. Personal tubes brought from home are the sole responsibility of the owner — Landa River Trips will not replace or take responsibility for personal tubes that pop on the river. This is another reason we recommend renting our commercial-grade tubes which are built specifically for river conditions.

Can we bring pets?

Yes! Landa River Trips is pet-friendly. Please be aware that sharp claws can damage tubes. We recommend bringing a dog life jacket — even strong swimmers cannot handle whitewater. We have seen several pets lost at the Tube Chute, often due to long leashes getting caught on rocks under the water and pulling the dog under. We love animals and want them to have a safe trip.

How old do you have to be to float?

Landa River Trips does not allow anyone under 4 years old on the river. We highly recommend taking the highest level of caution when floating with children. You will be exposed to strong currents and the extreme heat of a Texas summer — it is common to have days above 100 degrees. Bring plenty of water and ensure children are wearing properly fitted life jackets at all times.

Do we take a shuttle to the river?

No! That is one of the best things about floating with Landa River Trips. We are located at the very beginning of the Comal River in New Braunfels. You park, get your tube, and walk directly into the river — no shuttle to the water needed. Our shuttle service brings you back from the river exit at the end of your float. See our Shuttle Service page for details.

What are the shuttle times?

The last shuttle pickup is at 8:00 PM. Shuttle times can vary depending on river conditions and crowd levels. For current shuttle information call our booth at (830) 625-5889. Visit our Shuttle Service page for full details.

Where is the best place to picnic or grill near Landa River Trips?

The City of New Braunfels has three excellent parks near the Comal River that are perfect for picnicking and grilling:

Is there camping near Landa River Trips?

Landa RV Park is a campground located at the headwaters of the Comal River — the only campground and RV park directly on the Comal River in New Braunfels. Guests staying at Landa RV Park receive discounts on Comal River tubing trips with Landa River Trips. Reservations book up fast — it is common for the park to be fully booked before the end of January. Reservations open January 1st of each new year. Contact Landa RV Park at (830) 625-1211.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! Landa River Trips offers military, first responder, and Saturday carpool discounts. Visit our Discounts page for full details and instructions on how to claim your discount.

Landa River Trips is New Braunfels’ original Comal River tubing outfitter since 1986. Located at the start of the Comal River in New Braunfels, Texas, we offer tube rentals, parking, and shuttle service starting at $25 per person. Common questions about Comal River tubing in New Braunfels include float times, container ban rules, double tube ordinances, parking availability, pet policies, and age limits. Landa River Trips is the most experienced outfitter on the Comal River and we are here to make sure you have the best float possible.

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