Texas’ Best Float Trips: The Top Tubing Destinations and Hidden River Escapes

A journey on a float is the epitome of a Texas summer. One of the Lone Star State's favorite activities is finding the best method to beat the heat as temperatures soar into the triple digits.

Now that you've seen the heat advisories, heed our advice and go tubing down the river.

Every float tour is unique. Trips might be as short as two hours or as long as a whole day. If you want picturesque vistas, you can see anything from limestone bluffs to cypress trees and, in the event that the river passes through a city, urban settings.

The atmosphere also varies, ranging from calm and pleasant to festive and festive. The best five rivers for summertime float trips, along with an honorable mention, have been compiled by PaperCity. They include all types of river retreats.

Essential items for your float include: Reapplying sunscreen is crucial. Other necessities include a trash bag, water, a cooler, your preferred drinks, koozies, and snacks. Bring nothing but the cutest pair of costly new sunglasses. It's a given that you will misplace things, and nobody wants you to lose it while traveling.

Guadalupe River

Guadalupe is indeed a legendary figure. When someone mentions float trips, that's the first thing that springs to mind. If you're willing to get a little rowdy at a large gathering, these are the waters you want to be in. Imagine enjoying all the excitement of a party without even needing to get up.

It's lively yet laid back, particularly over the weekends. Imagine floating past bald cypress trees and limestone bluffs with a large group of pals and several inebriated drinks in hand. Alcohol is definitely OK. Just don't even think of bringing glass or Styrofoam.

Depending on where you take off, floats can take two to six hours to complete.For floaters, the well-known Horseshoe Loop is a must-see section. Before you can get off at the exit by the bridge across Farm to Market Road 306, you can float for two and a half to three hours. Moreover, Whitewater to Fourth Crossing is a wise choice.

Comal River

To the Comal River, come one, come all. The recommended option for novice floaters is this. With a total length of just three miles, it is the shortest navigable river. It is swift and serene enough to allow for several voyages. These year-round, 72-degree spring-fed waters are perfect for drifting downstream.

The finest aspect? The Comal feeds into Schlitterbahn, the legendary water park in New Braunfels. Take a ride that plunges you into the river if you just want a taste of it. It's a fantastic way to round off a day at the water park—after, of course, a lot of Dippin' Dots.

You'll want to take an inner tube, hop into the Comal, and meander down the heavily shaded route after feeling the fresh waters for the first time.

Students in particular, who are both new and experienced, love San Marcos. The Texas State University campus features a meandering river that is a compelling attraction at the conclusion of the finals season.

The best place to enter is from the city park located behind Strahan Baseball Stadium. Head back and kick back as you glide around three thrilling little waterfall drops for a mile.

Frio River

For one river, muy frio really does imply muy bien. The "Frio," which means "cold" in Spanish, offers the guaranteed ice-cold waters for an amazing float experience. Part of what makes the voyage down the long, picturesque Frio River so memorable is that it's more tranquil than party-oriented.

This float excursion feels genuinely remote because it is far less crowded than similar trips. As you glide down the river behind the shadowy canopy of cypress trees, you might even consider it remote.

Access to this cool-but-not-freezing river is available at Garner State Park. You can float down the river for about a mile and a half before emerging at Country Road 350. We must alert you to the fact that time will stop and the adventure will end sooner than You are aware of it. Please feel free to play again.

Colorado River

Although this one isn't as popular, let's still discuss the notion. The longest river in the entire Lone Star State is the Colorado River. This implies that there will be plenty of opportunities for you to get in the water, allowing you to enjoy a variety of float trips on a single river.
With a few brief shallows sporadically, the flow is calm and serene. Trees border the lovely banks, creating the ideal backdrop for an Instagram photo. There is a lot of wildlife in the region, so look for birds you don't see every day.

The sandbars and islands in the Colorado River are another notable feature.At these locations, you are welcome to stop and unwind, if you so want. This traditional, simple river is perfect for long-term expeditions. Arrive in Bastrop, just east of Austin, on Highway 71.