--- title: "What to Pack for Tubing the Guadalupe River — Family Checklist | Son's" description: "The complete packing list for tubing the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels — what to bring, what to leave home, and family-friendly tips from Son's Guadalupe." lang: en-US json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sonsguadalupe.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://sonsguadalupe.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "What to Pack for Tubing the Guadalupe River — The Family Checklist", "item": "https://sonsguadalupe.com/blog/what-to-pack-tubing-guadalupe-river" } ] }, { "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "What to Pack for Tubing the Guadalupe River — Family Checklist", "description": "The complete packing list for tubing the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels — what to bring, what to leave home, and family-friendly tips from Son's Guadalupe.", "image": "https://sonsguadalupe.com/og-image.png", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Guadalupe" }, "datePublished": "2026-05-09", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://sonsguadalupe.com/blog/what-to-pack-tubing-guadalupe-river" }, "keywords": "what to pack tubing, guadalupe river packing list, what to bring tubing new braunfels, tubing checklist, family tubing packing" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I wear tubing the Guadalupe River?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A swimsuit, a rash guard or quick-dry shirt, water shoes, and a hat. The sun on the Guadalupe is no joke — sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I bring a cooler tubing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. We recommend a small floating cooler with a tube of its own. Glass containers are not allowed on the river — cans, pouches, and plastic only." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need water shoes for the Guadalupe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The river bottom is rocky in spots and water shoes save toes. Closed-toe water sandals work great." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I NOT bring tubing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No glass, no styrofoam, no anything you can't afford to lose. Phones go in a waterproof pouch or stay locked in the car. Cabana renters can leave valuables in the car at their cabana parking spot." } } ] } ] } --- 🎉 $29.99 Tubing & Kayaking Today at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! 🎉 $29.99 Tubing & Kayaking Today at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! [![Son's Guadalupe - Private River Basecamp](/assets/logo-B_Gj14XO.png)](/) Day Rentals [Tubing](/tubing)[Property Map](/property-map)[FAQs](/faqs)[Blog](/blog)[Contact Us](/contact) [877-577-7667 ](tel:877-577-7667)Book Now Book Now 1. [Home](/) 2. [Blog](/blog) 3. What to Pack for Tubing the Guadalupe River — Family Checklist ![Friends tubing the Guadalupe River with a floating cooler](/assets/friends-floating-cooler-UDUl7DJf.jpg) May 9, 2026 # What to Pack for Tubing the Guadalupe River — The Family Checklist [Back to Blog](/blog) A great day **tubing the Guadalupe River** comes down to two things — picking the right spot and packing right. We can't help you forget your sunscreen, but we can help you not forget it. Here's the complete family packing list for a day on the river near New Braunfels. ## The Essentials - **Swimsuit** + rash guard or quick-dry shirt - **Water shoes** — the river bottom is rocky in spots - **Reef-safe sunscreen** + lip balm with SPF - **Hat** with a strap or chin cord - **Sunglasses** with a floating strap - **Life jackets** for kids (and any adult who wants one) - **Towels** + a change of dry clothes for the ride home ![Packing tubes and gear for a day on the Guadalupe River](/assets/tubing-riverside-kf8v_7Aa.jpg) ## The Float-Bag - Small **floating cooler** (with its own tube) - Water bottles — hydration is everything - Snacks: jerky, pretzels, fruit, granola bars - Drinks in cans or pouches — _no glass_ - Waterproof phone pouch - Small dry bag for keys and a $20 ## For Families With Kids - Properly fitted life jacket for every kid - Extra dry shirt and shorts in a sealed bag - Snacks they'll actually eat - A small pool toy for back at the cabana - Wipes for sandy hands and faces ![Family with tubes ready for a Guadalupe River float](/assets/family-tubes-DA6JWY61.jpg) ## What NOT to Bring - **No glass.** Period. - No styrofoam — bad for the river - Nothing you can't afford to lose - Loose phones, expensive sunglasses, paper money ## The Pro Move: Book a Cabana A **cabana rental on the Guadalupe River** changes how you pack — because you have a private home base. Leave dry clothes, snacks, and valuables at the cabana, float, come back, refuel, float again. Way easier than dragging everything down the river. ## Tubing FAQs ### What should I wear tubing the Guadalupe River? A swimsuit, a rash guard or quick-dry shirt, water shoes, and a hat. The sun on the Guadalupe is no joke — sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable. ### Can I bring a cooler tubing? Yes. We recommend a small floating cooler with a tube of its own. Glass containers are not allowed on the river — cans, pouches, and plastic only. ### Do I need water shoes for the Guadalupe? Yes. The river bottom is rocky in spots and water shoes save toes. Closed-toe water sandals work great. ### What should I NOT bring tubing? No glass, no styrofoam, no anything you can't afford to lose. Phones go in a waterproof pouch or stay locked in the car. Cabana renters can leave valuables in the car at their cabana parking spot. [Book Your Day](/book-now)[Tubing Info](/tubing) ## Related Reads [ ![Looking for a "Lazy River Near Me"? Why the Guadalupe River is the Ultimate Natural Float](/assets/friends-tubing-Bwc7jpqb.jpg) ### Looking for a "Lazy River Near Me"? Why the Guadalupe River is the Ultimate Natural Float Skip the chlorinated resort loops. Here's why the spring-fed Guadalupe River — with shuttle service and private cabanas — is the ultimate natural lazy river near New Braunfels. Read more ](/blog/lazy-river-near-me-guadalupe)[ ![The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Guadalupe Peak: Trail Guide, Preparation, and the Two Guadalupes of Texas](/assets/tubing-canyon-view-Cznh8hcT.jpg) ### The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Guadalupe Peak: Trail Guide, Preparation, and the Two Guadalupes of Texas Full Guadalupe Peak trail guide — 8.4 miles, 2,922 ft of gain, gear and water rules — plus the cypress-shaded Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. Read more ](/blog/guadalupe-peak-hiking-guide)[ ![Comal River vs. Guadalupe River: Which Float Is Right for Your Family?](/assets/friends-tubing-Bwc7jpqb.jpg) ### Comal River vs. Guadalupe River: Which Float Is Right for Your Family? Compare the Comal River and Guadalupe River in New Braunfels to find the best family float — rules, parking, crowds, water temps, and private cabana alternatives. Read more ](/blog/comal-river-vs-guadalupe-river-comparison) Plan The Perfect Float Day ## Pack Smart, Float Easy Pair this packing list with a cabana rental on the Guadalupe River and tubing near New Braunfels becomes the easiest family day of the summer. Son's Guadalupe handles parking, river access, and your private basecamp. [Cabanas →](/cabanas)[Tubing →](/tubing)[Glamping →](/glamping)[FAQs →](/faqs) ![Son's Guadalupe logo — Private River Basecamp on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, TX](/assets/logo-B_Gj14XO.png) Your private riverside basecamp on the Guadalupe — where comfort, control, and family fun replace chaos, crowds, and stress. [](https://www.facebook.com/SonsGuad/)[](https://www.instagram.com/sonsguadalupe/) ## Quick Links - [Home](/) - [Cabanas](/cabanas) - [Tubing](/tubing) - [Property Map](/property-map) - [FAQs](/faqs) - [Contact Us](/contact) ## Policies - [Rental Agreement & Waiver](/waivers) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Cancellation Policy](/cancellation) ## Contact Us - [877-577-7667 9am-7pm Daily ](tel:877-577-7667) - [info@sonsgetaways.com ](mailto:info@sonsgetaways.com) - [7308 River Road New Braunfels, TX 78132 ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=7308+River+Road,+New+Braunfels,+TX+78132) ## What makes Son's Guadalupe different - In-water covered picnic tables - Float ends at your private cabana — no long walks - Private shuttle-assisted tubing - AC-cooled bell tents with real beds & memory foam - Private on-site parking — no shuttle lots - Child-safe shallow river entries - Private BBQ grills at every cabana - Onsite restrooms & private showers - Limited daily capacity — never crowded - 22 private riverside cabanas on the Guadalupe - Curated river experience — not a high-volume outfitter - Real queen beds with linens — not air mattresses ## Son's Getaways family of properties Son's Guadalupe is part of Son's Getaways — six distinct riverside & lakeside properties across Central Texas. 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