Waterparks are great, but they don’t hold a candle to the rugged beauty of Mother Nature. Tubing is an essential summertime activity here, and these are seven of the best lazy rivers in Texas that offer some of the best floats. Who else is counting down the days?
- Guadalupe River
Flickr/Dustin Larimer The Guadalupe River is one of the biggest hotspots for tubing trips in Texas, and for good reason! Water this pristine can’t be found just anywhere. You can choose from several different river outfitters, most of which offer air-conditioned shuttle rides to and from public access points. Learn more information here.
- Comal River
Flickr/Jeff Gunn Bordering Schlitterbahn, the Comal is undoubtedly the river of choice for most Texans. It actually merges with the Guadalupe at some point, although you’d be none the wiser judging solely by how the water looks – this river is a much deeper blue; almost black in some areas. The water temperature is a steady 70-72 degrees year-round, and there’s an epic tube chute that adds a thrill to the otherwise mellow float. Check out more information here.
- San Marcos River
Flickr/Sean Loyless Some of the cleanest water in the state can be found right here in the San Marcos River, making it an ideal place for summer activities in Texas. Cutting through a busy college town, the environment is surprisingly rugged; massive trees and other lush greenery line the banks on either side. Most commercial floats are about a mile, but you can always forge your own longer path! It’s much less crowded than the Comal and Guadalupe, making for a much more low-key adventure. More information is available here.
- Frio River
Flickr/J.D. Page Flowing on for almost 50 miles, the Frio River is located much further West than all the aforementioned bodies of water. This means the landscape is entirely different – think jutting limestone canyons that tower up into the clouds. There are many access points, but by far the most commonly used is Garner State Park in Concan. Learn more about this beautiful river here.
- Medina River
Flickr/mlhradio Often overlooked in favor of the more well-known rivers, the Medina is a true hidden gem passing straight through the “Cowboy Capital of Texas,” or Bandera. It’s slow-flowing as minimally trafficked as it gets, so you’ll surely feel relaxed and rejuvenated after the float. Check out more information here.
- Brazos River
Flickr/C Hanchey The Brazos River is slow-moving and incredibly scenic. Try to make the trip before late summer to ensure a steady current. Many access points exist, but entering near Possum Kingdom Lake will provide the most breathtaking views.
- Trinity River
Flickr/adamreeder A favorite summer hangout spot among North Texans, the Trinity River is mild enough that tubers can simply float around the general area in which they entered without getting swept away. The Trinity is also home to the Rockin’ the River Concert Series, where bands perform on Texas’ only waterfront stage over the course of the summer. You can learn more here.
Have you tubed any of the best lazy rivers in Texas? Which one is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts, and check out our previous article to learn more about the Comal tube chute: Everyone In Texas Should Do This Awesome Activity At Least Once.
Flickr/Dustin Larimer
The Guadalupe River is one of the biggest hotspots for tubing trips in Texas, and for good reason! Water this pristine can’t be found just anywhere. You can choose from several different river outfitters, most of which offer air-conditioned shuttle rides to and from public access points. Learn more information here.
Flickr/Jeff Gunn
Bordering Schlitterbahn, the Comal is undoubtedly the river of choice for most Texans. It actually merges with the Guadalupe at some point, although you’d be none the wiser judging solely by how the water looks – this river is a much deeper blue; almost black in some areas. The water temperature is a steady 70-72 degrees year-round, and there’s an epic tube chute that adds a thrill to the otherwise mellow float. Check out more information here.
Flickr/Sean Loyless
Some of the cleanest water in the state can be found right here in the San Marcos River, making it an ideal place for summer activities in Texas. Cutting through a busy college town, the environment is surprisingly rugged; massive trees and other lush greenery line the banks on either side. Most commercial floats are about a mile, but you can always forge your own longer path! It’s much less crowded than the Comal and Guadalupe, making for a much more low-key adventure. More information is available here.
Flickr/J.D. Page
Flowing on for almost 50 miles, the Frio River is located much further West than all the aforementioned bodies of water. This means the landscape is entirely different – think jutting limestone canyons that tower up into the clouds. There are many access points, but by far the most commonly used is Garner State Park in Concan. Learn more about this beautiful river here.
Flickr/mlhradio
Often overlooked in favor of the more well-known rivers, the Medina is a true hidden gem passing straight through the “Cowboy Capital of Texas,” or Bandera. It’s slow-flowing as minimally trafficked as it gets, so you’ll surely feel relaxed and rejuvenated after the float. Check out more information here.
Flickr/C Hanchey
The Brazos River is slow-moving and incredibly scenic. Try to make the trip before late summer to ensure a steady current. Many access points exist, but entering near Possum Kingdom Lake will provide the most breathtaking views.
Flickr/adamreeder
A favorite summer hangout spot among North Texans, the Trinity River is mild enough that tubers can simply float around the general area in which they entered without getting swept away. The Trinity is also home to the Rockin’ the River Concert Series, where bands perform on Texas’ only waterfront stage over the course of the summer. You can learn more here.
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Address: Guadalupe River, Texas, USAAddress: Comal River, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USAAddress: San Marcos River, Texas, USAAddress: Frio River, Texas 78071, USAAddress: Medina River, Medina, TX 78055, USAAddress: Brazos River, Texas, USAAddress: Trinity River, Texas 77514, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Lazy Rivers In Texas May 01, 2021 Melissa M What are some fun summer activities in Texas? The state of Texas offers endless options for summer fun. You may choose to head out into the great outdoors on a hike and find a campground to spend the night; swim at a swimming hole, pool, or head to a waterpark; explore charming towns which are abundant around the state. There are also some man-made lazy rivers you can check out like the one at BSR Cable Park in Waco. At 5,280 feet, this happens to be the longest lazy river in the world. As you can see, there are more than enough choices to keep you busy all summer long. For more ideas on what to add to your summer activities list, visit our previous article. Does Texas have any beaches? When you think about Texas, the word ‘beach’ is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Although the state is not known for its beaches, it does have a substantial coastline of 367 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. And with all that coastline comes some beach destinations like South Padre Island, which is quite popular with tourists especially during the summer months. If you want a beach that’s not overrun with tourists, head to Mustang Island State Park which has some of the most pristine white sand you can find in Texas. Are there any amusement parks in Texas? Yes, Texas has its fair share of amusement parks and there’s one that’s actually located right on the beach in South Padre Island. Gravity Park has everything you could want for a fun time - rides, games, go-karts, mini-golf, and more! What better place to spend the day than here and the beach. Another little-known place you may want to visit is ZDT’s Amusement Park near Austin which features a pretty epic wooden roller coaster and a water park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Lazy Rivers In Texas
May 01, 2021
Melissa M
What are some fun summer activities in Texas? The state of Texas offers endless options for summer fun. You may choose to head out into the great outdoors on a hike and find a campground to spend the night; swim at a swimming hole, pool, or head to a waterpark; explore charming towns which are abundant around the state. There are also some man-made lazy rivers you can check out like the one at BSR Cable Park in Waco. At 5,280 feet, this happens to be the longest lazy river in the world. As you can see, there are more than enough choices to keep you busy all summer long. For more ideas on what to add to your summer activities list, visit our previous article. Does Texas have any beaches? When you think about Texas, the word ‘beach’ is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Although the state is not known for its beaches, it does have a substantial coastline of 367 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. And with all that coastline comes some beach destinations like South Padre Island, which is quite popular with tourists especially during the summer months. If you want a beach that’s not overrun with tourists, head to Mustang Island State Park which has some of the most pristine white sand you can find in Texas. Are there any amusement parks in Texas? Yes, Texas has its fair share of amusement parks and there’s one that’s actually located right on the beach in South Padre Island. Gravity Park has everything you could want for a fun time - rides, games, go-karts, mini-golf, and more! What better place to spend the day than here and the beach. Another little-known place you may want to visit is ZDT’s Amusement Park near Austin which features a pretty epic wooden roller coaster and a water park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The state of Texas offers endless options for summer fun. You may choose to head out into the great outdoors on a hike and find a campground to spend the night; swim at a swimming hole, pool, or head to a waterpark; explore charming towns which are abundant around the state. There are also some man-made lazy rivers you can check out like the one at BSR Cable Park in Waco. At 5,280 feet, this happens to be the longest lazy river in the world. As you can see, there are more than enough choices to keep you busy all summer long. For more ideas on what to add to your summer activities list, visit our previous article.
Does Texas have any beaches?
When you think about Texas, the word ‘beach’ is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Although the state is not known for its beaches, it does have a substantial coastline of 367 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. And with all that coastline comes some beach destinations like South Padre Island, which is quite popular with tourists especially during the summer months. If you want a beach that’s not overrun with tourists, head to Mustang Island State Park which has some of the most pristine white sand you can find in Texas.
Are there any amusement parks in Texas?
Yes, Texas has its fair share of amusement parks and there’s one that’s actually located right on the beach in South Padre Island. Gravity Park has everything you could want for a fun time - rides, games, go-karts, mini-golf, and more! What better place to spend the day than here and the beach. Another little-known place you may want to visit is ZDT’s Amusement Park near Austin which features a pretty epic wooden roller coaster and a water park.
