River Road Parking Guide, New Braunfels — Lots, Fees & The Easy Way
Published May 30, 2026
River Road parking is the single most stressful part of a Guadalupe River day for most families. Here's a quick, no-nonsense breakdown of where to park, what it costs, and the option most locals quietly recommend: skip the public lots entirely.
The 3 kinds of River Road parking
- City of New Braunfels public lots — first-come, first-served. Fill early on summer weekends. Operated by the city; current rates are published on newbraunfels.gov.
- Private outfitter lots — bundled with tube rentals and shuttle fees. You park at the outfitter, ride a school bus to the put-in, float, and shuttle back to your car.
- Onsite riverside property parking — included with cabana and glamping bookings at Son's Guadalupe. You park at the river, next to your rental.
What does it cost?
| Option | Typical cost | Walk to river |
|---|---|---|
| City public lot | $10–$20/car/day | Varies, often 5–10 min walk |
| Outfitter lot + shuttle | Bundled with tube rental | Shuttle ride to put-in |
| Son's onsite parking | Included with cabana | Steps from your cabana |
Don't park on the shoulder
Roadside parking on River Road is heavily enforced during peak season. Towing and tickets are common, and the walk to the river from a tow-friendly pull-off usually isn't worth the gamble.
The locals' move: cabana + onsite parking
Every cabana and glamping booking at Son's Guadalupe includes a dedicated parking spot right at the river. No public lot fee. No shuttle from a remote lot. The float ends at your cabana, and your car is already there. For families especially, this is the easiest day on River Road.
FAQs
Where can you park on River Road in New Braunfels?
There are a mix of City of New Braunfels public lots, private outfitter lots, and a few roadside pull-offs. Public lots near popular access points (like Hueco Springs and Rockin' R) fill up by mid-morning on summer weekends.
How much does River Road parking cost?
City public lots typically run $10–$20 per car per day. Private outfitter lots are bundled with tubing packages and usually cost more on busy weekends. Holiday weekends can run higher.
Why do River Road parking lots fill up so early?
Tubing demand is concentrated between 10am–12pm. The closer the lot is to a popular put-in, the earlier it fills. Arriving after 11am on a Saturday usually means a long walk from a remote lot — or paying for an offsite shuttle.
Is there a way to skip the River Road parking hunt entirely?
Yes — book a cabana at Son's Guadalupe. Onsite parking is included with every cabana and glamping booking. You park steps from your cabana, the river, and the shuttle. No public lot fee, no walk, no shuttle line.
Can you park free on River Road?
There are no reliable free public lots near the popular tubing stretches. Roadside parking on River Road is heavily enforced during peak season — towing and tickets are common.
