Tubing the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels is one of the great Texas summer traditions, and we've built our setup at Son's to make it as easy as humanly possible. Instead of guessing which public lot will fill up first, parking a mile from your put-in, and praying your shuttle shows up on time, our day-rental guests start and end their float at the property. You park onsite, walk to the river, float a calm and family-friendly stretch, and step out steps from your cabana or picnic table.
We intentionally cap daily capacity so the river never feels packed. That means quieter floats, less litter, and a much better experience for kids and first-time tubers. Tube rentals start at $24.99, cooler tubes are available, and life jackets are recommended for non-swimmers and easy to bring along. Every booking includes a shuttle so you can float multiple times during the day without having to coordinate a separate ride.
What's included: tube rental, shuttle service, river access, and use of the property's restrooms and changing areas. What to bring: swimsuits, water shoes (the bottom can be rocky in spots), sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a small cooler with non-glass drinks and snacks. What to leave at home: glass containers and styrofoam — both are not allowed on the river under Texas state law. Bluetooth speakers should be kept at a reasonable volume out of respect for other floaters.
The best tubing months on the Guadalupe are typically May through early September, with June and July hitting the sweet spot for warm water and reliable flow. Spring breakers and Labor Day weekenders should book as far in advance as possible — those weekends sell out every year. If river flow is too low or too high to float safely, we'll reach out directly about rescheduling under our weather policy.