Labor Day New Braunfels: Weekend Prep Guide
Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026 — the unofficial last float of summer on the Comal River, from Landa River Trips.
Labor Day is one of our busiest weekends of the year. Big crowds are expected all three days. A little planning before you leave the house goes a long way.
Planning your Labor Day New Braunfels trip? Landa River Trips is open all three days of the Labor Day weekend, September 5 through 7, 2026, for tubing the Comal River. Here’s what to know about parking, tube rules, the disposable container ban, and bringing your dog, so your Labor Day weekend on the Comal River goes smoothly from the moment you park to the moment you float in.
Before You Arrive: Parking for Labor Day New Braunfels Weekend
We don’t have any road closures or scheduled events on our radar for Labor Day weekend right now. The only thing we know for certain is that a lot of people will be showing up at once. Here’s how to make sure that’s not you sitting in a parking line:
- We have more on-site parking than any other outfitter on the Comal River. We’re on 8 acres with over 1,400 feet of river frontage and three separate river entry points, so we can handle a lot of cars.
- That said, we still fill up fast. Don’t expect to find a parking spot after 12 PM on Labor Day weekend. Once the lot fills in, the walk to grab your tubes and get down to the river also gets longer, since you’ll be parking further from the entry points.
- Arrive as early as possible. Getting here earlier means an easier walk in, a better parking spot, and a cooler float before the day heats up.
- Carpool when you can. Fewer cars means faster parking for your whole group and less hassle finding everyone a spot together. If you’ve got 5 or more people arriving before 11 AM on a Saturday, check our discount page for our carpool special.
- Plan your whole day, not just the float. A float takes about 3 hours. Doors open at 9 AM, last entry is 4 PM, and last shuttle out is 8 PM. Build your day around those windows.
No Double Tubes on the Comal
The City of New Braunfels limits tubes to 5 feet in diameter or less. That means double, tandem, or built-in two-rider tubes aren’t allowed on the river, no exceptions.
This isn’t a Landa River Trips rule we made up to sell more tubes. Larger tubes don’t fit through the Tube Chute, and on a weekend as busy as Labor Day, one oversized tube stuck at the chute backs up everyone floating that day. If you’re bringing your own tube from home, plan on renting one from us instead, or expect it to be turned away at the river.
Prep Your Drinks and Food Before You Get Here
New Braunfels has a disposable container ordinance (City Ordinance Chapter 86.14) that applies on the river, and the Comal River is one of the cleanest rivers in the state largely because of it. It catches a few first-time floaters off guard since it covers more than just cans and bottles, but the fix takes about five minutes at home. Here’s the simple version:
Bring These
- Drinks pre-poured into a cup, bottle, or jug
- Snacks and food in reusable containers
- A soft-sided cooler (30 quarts or less)
- Reusable water bottles
Leave These at Home
- Cans, bottles, or glass of any kind
- Styrofoam cups, plates, or coolers
- Chip bags, wrappers, or original food packaging
- Zip-top bags, paper cups, napkins, or cardboard
- Ice chests over 30 quarts, or more than one per person
A soft-sided cooler holds up better on a tube than a hard-shell one, and keeping it to 30 quarts or less (one per person) means less to manage on the water.
- Pre-pour your drinks into reusable cups, bottles, or a jug. Leave the cans and bottles in the car.
- Empty snacks into reusable containers. Chips, candy, sandwiches, anything in original packaging needs to go into a Tupperware, dry bag, or reusable container before it touches the river.
- Pack it in a soft-sided cooler or dry bag that stays on the tube with you, not in packaging that gets tossed once it’s empty.
A large jug works great for this. Mix your drinks at home, pour into a jug, then just refill your cup as you go instead of carrying a bunch of individual bottles.
This is a city rule, not a Landa River Trips policy, and it does come with fines up to $500. Prepping before you leave the house is the easiest way to skip any hassle, and it’s a big part of why the Comal stays one of the cleanest rivers in Texas.
Read the official rule: City Ordinance Chapter 86.14 or visit the City of New Braunfels River Operations page.
Bringing Your Dog on the Comal River? A Few Things to Know
Dogs are welcome on the river, and a busy weekend like Labor Day is a fun one to bring them along, but a little prep keeps everyone safe and happy.
- Life jackets are a good idea for dogs too. Even confident swimmers can get tired on a longer float.
- Walk your dog around the Tube Chute, don’t float it through. More dog fatalities happen at the Tube Chute than human ones. It’s fast moving water with rocks, and it’s simply not worth the risk.
- Skip the long leash on the river. A long leash can catch on rocks at the Tube Chute and hold a dog underwater. If you leash your dog on the water, keep it short and stay close.
- Not every dog is a river dog. Some settle right in, others will want out of the tube five minutes in. Know your dog before committing to a full float.
- Bring water for them too. River water isn’t a substitute, and a hot September afternoon adds up fast.
- Booties or paw protection can help on the rocks and hot pavement in the parking lot.
Quick Tips for a Busy Labor Day Weekend in New Braunfels
- Wear sunscreen and reapply. Early September in New Braunfels still runs hot.
- Water shoes or sandals with a strap. The riverbed has rocks.
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for anything you don’t want to get wet.
- Life jackets are available for anyone who wants one, kids or adults.
- Check our live cams before you leave to see current river conditions and crowd levels.
Labor Day Weekend on the Comal River: Quick Answers
Is Landa River Trips open on Labor Day weekend 2026?
Yes. We’re open all three days of Labor Day weekend in New Braunfels, Saturday September 5 through Monday September 7, 2026, with doors open at 9 AM, last entry at 4 PM, and last shuttle at 8 PM.
What is the disposable container rule on the Comal River?
New Braunfels City Ordinance 86.14 bans single-use containers on the river, including cans, bottles, glass, styrofoam, and food packaging. Pre-pour drinks and empty snacks into reusable containers before you arrive.
Are double tubes allowed on the Comal River?
No. New Braunfels limits tubes to 5 feet in diameter or less, so double, tandem, or built-in two-rider tubes aren’t allowed. Larger tubes don’t fit through the Tube Chute.
How early should I arrive for Labor Day weekend tubing?
As early as possible. Landa River Trips has more on-site parking than any other Comal River outfitter, 8 acres with over 1,400 feet of river frontage, but the lot still fills up by around noon on Labor Day weekend.
Can I tie my tubes together with rope?
We don’t provide or sell rope, and we discourage using it. If you do tie tubes together, keep it to no more than two and use carabiner clips instead of rope, since they can be released quickly if needed. Long chains of tied tubes back up the Tube Chute and the weir dam chute for everyone else, and rope brings its own risks at the chute, including tangling, restricted movement, and injury if you come out of your tube. Carabiner clips give you the same connection without that risk.
Can I bring my dog tubing on the Comal River?
Yes, dogs are welcome. A life jacket is a good idea, and we recommend walking your dog around the Tube Chute rather than floating through it, since more dog fatalities happen there than human ones.
Questions? Give us a call.
Booth: 830-625-5889 | Office: 830-625-1211