Comal River

Caution Road Work Ahead!

COMAL RIVER ACCESS PARKS

Prince Solms Park (Entrance)
Hinman Island Park (Entrance)
Garden Street Bridge Tubers Exit
Last Tuber’s Exit


River Rules Opens in new window

  1. General
  2. Floating
  3. Parking
  4. Fees
  5. Rules & Safety
  6. Map

PRINCE SOLMS PARK GATEWAY RIVER ENTRANCE
100 Liebscher
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4350
parks@nbtexas.org

RIVER ACCESS PARK HOURS
6AM-MIDNIGHT

The Comal River is a beautiful spring-fed natural flowing body of water that has been the pinnacle attraction for New Braunfels for generations. The headwaters spring up from the Edwards Aquifer, and flows 2.5 miles through Landa Park, passing Downtown New Braunfels, bordering Schlitterbahn Waterpark and eventually merging with the Guadalupe River, running entirely within the city limits of New Braunfels. Tubing on the Comal River begins just down river from the Wurstfest Grounds and continues until the Last Tuber's Exit. 

The Comal River is one of the shortest navigable waterways in the United States. The water temperature is a steady 70-72 degrees year-round, which makes it refreshing in the Texas summer heat and warm enough for a morning swim in the winter months. The river is also one of only two rivers to host the fountain darter, a fish now in danger of extinction.  

Comal River Hours of Operation

The Comal River is open for recreation, it is only closed during times of high water or for public safety. River Access Parks are open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. 

Lifeguards are on duty only at the City Tube Chute (main chute downstream of Hinman Island Park) weekends in May and daily from June - mid August. Lifeguards are not present after Labor Day (first Monday in September).

  1. Stewardship
  2. FAQs
  3. Current Conditions
  4. Resident Information
  5. Contact

15-4892-WatershedManagementLogo-FNL

New Braunfels Parks & Recreation and the City of New Braunfels are committed to sustainability and river stewardship. Vegetation and wildlife are integral to parks along the Comal Springs.  With approximately a quarter million river users each summer, everyone has a role in maintaining the Comal Springs and River as a special place for the next generation.

  • The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers are two natural waterways that flow through New Braunfels, TX. 
  • At approx. 2.5 miles long, the Comal River is the shortest navigable river in Texas. The Comal River begins at the Comal Springs that issue from the Edwards Aquifer.
  • The Comal River system is home to several federally-listed endangered species. The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) is a regional effort to protect endangered species habitat and includes measures to protect springflow and restore habitat. More information on the EAHCP can be found at www.nbtexas.org/eahcp.
  • The City and local project partners are currently taking action to preserve and protect the quality of the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River through the implementation of a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). More information on the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River WPP can be found at www.nbtexas.org/wpp

Floating went green in 2018!ComalRules_ Opens in new window

The City of New Braunfels passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of disposable containers on the rivers inside of the city limits. It is the goal of the city to preserve the Comal Springs for the future enjoyment of all. With an annual litter collection of over 30,000 lbs from the rivers, the city knew measures had to be taken to reduce the amount of single use containers polluting the waters each year. Since the implementation of the ban on disposable containers, litter collection has been reduced by 41%

River Activity Fee ($2 to TUBE)

In 2016, the New Braunfels City Council approved a recommendation from the River Advisory Committee to implement a revised River Management Fee for visitors to the New Braunfels rivers during the summer season. At the same time, a Resident River Pass was approved that allows New Braunfels residents to tube without paying the River Management Fee. The $2 fee per tuber was designed to off-set the cost to the City from river trash pick-up, maintenance and public safety measures by police officers and park rangers.

Dos Rios Watershed Clean-ups dos rios challenge logo

Each summer more than 2,500 lbs. of trash is collected by volunteers at one clean-up event. 

For 2020, the Dos Rios Watershed Clean-up ran throughout the month of October. Participants chose their own cleanup locations and helped to collect as much litter as possible within our local watersheds. “We believe the 2020 Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup event was a huge success in helping to minimize the amount of litter that is found within our local watersheds and waterways. There was an extraordinary level of participation in the event from individuals, families and civic organizations, all who helped to preserve and protect our local rivers and creeks.” said New Braunfels Watershed Coordinator Phillip Quast. 

Help keep the Comal River clean and free from debris. Secure your belongings when tubing, do not bring disposable containers onto the river and make sure trash goes in bins while enjoying the parks. Please do your part to reduce what is left behind. 

Learn more

More ways to help

  • Protect native and protected species by staying out of the Comal Springs in Landa Park.
  • Protect native plant and wildlife! Get in and out of the river only at designated river access parks.
  • Help keep our river clean. Secure your gear to avoid losing personal items and do not bring disposable containers in the river.
  • Do not feed the wildlife.


Daily Springflow & Aquifer Conditions