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Comal River
COMAL RIVER ACCESS PARKS
Prince Solms Park (Entrance)
Hinman Island Park (Entrance)
Garden Street Bridge Tubers Exit
Last Tuber’s Exit
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).
Tubing with Your Own Tubes
Personal tubes are allowed on the Comal River as long as they do not exceed five (5) feet in diameter. Tubers may begin their float at Hinman Island Park or Prince Solms Park at the City Tube Chute. The float will last approximately 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the flow rate and the number of tubers in the water. Once you reach the Last Public Exit you MUST exit the river. Shuttle rides back to the park are not available to those choosing to tube on their own, the walk back to the park takes 10-15 minutes (see map). Proper footwear is recommended - the river is a naturally flowing body of water. You can expect to encounter rocks and other natural elements in the water and very hot pavement on your walk back. Be sure to read up on all River Rules before your visit.
Tubing with a Comal River Tubing Outfitters
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).
Parking
This Parking Map shows the parking areas for the Comal River.
Beginning September 8, 2020 Parking Fees are no longer in effect. Parking fees will resume May 1, 2021.
How much does it cost to tube the Comal?
Beginning September 8, 2020 River Fees are no longer in effect. River Fees will resume Memorial Day Weekend 2021.
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
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
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 is going to be a little different than the clean-ups of previous years. The City of New Braunfels is hosting a month-long watershed clean-up challenge where participants can choose their own clean-up locations and attempt to collect as much trash as they can pick up in a month. We hope this can be a fun way to get out of the house, bond with your family and friends, and help keep our beautiful waterways clean and clear of trash.
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.
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
View the current flow rate.
Flow Rate & River Status
100-500 cfs - Recreational flow - all recreation activities are available
500-600 cfs - Use extreme caution - all activities questionable - flows of the magnitude are usually caused by rainfall and involve turbid water and floating debris - contact river outfitters for more information
600+ cfs - The Comal River is usually closed at this flow rate
NOTE: River Pass and Parking Pass no longer needed for the 2020 season. Fees are only in effect May 1 - Labor Day.
New Braunfels residents who live within the New Braunfels Corporate City Limits are eligible to receive a Resident River Pass. This pass allows the resident to present the pass to receive a River Activity Wristband ($2) at no charge from the river fee booths on weekends and holidays. Click HERE for more information on the pass and how to get yours!
Residents are also eligible to receive a Resident River Parking Sticker that allows for parking at several paid river parking lots at no charge. Click HERE for more information on the sticker and how to get yours!
Project Overview
The City of New Braunfels is studying the Comal River - from Hinman Island upstream to San Antonio Street downstream - (including the City Tube Chute and the Last Public Exit) to identify needed improvements. The purpose of this project is to conduct a detailed evaluation of existing conditions and infrastructure, collect public input on possible improvements, privatize repairs and improvements, and to develop an implementation plan.
Parks & Recreation Administrative Office Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 830-221-4350 parks@nbtexas.org | River Information Resident River Pass and Resident River Parking Pass |
New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 830-625-2385 tubeinnewbraunfels.com | River Information Accommodations River Outfitter Information |
Park Rangers 830-837-0048 830-481-0625 (Parking) | On-Site Assistance |
Parks & Recreations Operations Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 830-221-4367 parks@nbtexas.org | Lost & Found |
River Operations Manager Amy Niles 830-221-4628 aniles@nbtexas.org | River Operations/Relations |
ParkMobile Download the ParkMobile App Problems with ParkMobile? (877) 727-5457 | Paid Parking Information |
911 | Emergency |
New Braunfels Police Department 830-221-4100 | Non-Emergency |