Tubing

Anyone go tubing lately? I understand in New Braunsfels they don't allow drinking on the river anymore. Is there anywhere for tubing that you can still drink?
BatteriesNotIncluded's Avatar
Cypress Creek during flood conditions?
Depends where you go. Only certain areas you can't have alcohol and they are mostly city owned areas. In some parts, no cans allowed. No containers under 5 oz. tho.
lostincypress's Avatar
O'Mike's Avatar
Check out the Frio. No issues with drinking on it.

http://www.tubetexas.com/rivers/frio-river.html
We were up there about a month ago. There had been rain and the release was 97 cubic feet per second. Even then the river was low and slow, with butt dragging on rocks a few times. Drinking alcohol was no problem.

http://tubehaus.com/ We used this place. Excellent parking inside their area, which made me feel much better about leaving stuff in the truck. You walk a full block with your tube to get to the bridge where everyone gets in. The River makes a big horseshoe and goes back under the highway at the next bridge location. When you get out, you walk a block, cross the road (cross light) and phone for pickup, including gear and dogs for a ride back.

We liked tubehaus because they were dog friendly. Most of their tubes have plastic bottoms attached which serve like a skid plate and a great advantage over rocks. I rented an extra tube for the ice chest (which needs latches). They have "old rope/string" to tie the tubes together, but I was glad I brought my own.

Read through the rules an you will know all you need. There is a link to current conditions which provides flow rate. I would not want to go if the rate is under 100 cps.

One of our party brought a water proof boom box he had made with recorded music. It was outstanding!

If you do not get out when you hit the bridge area, then it is a much longer float to the next exit area (see website).

Be sure to clip the discount coupon for each day you will be there. My son got a bigger discount by being military.

Old Dingus
  • adi
  • 06-26-2013, 12:11 PM
Cops are in the mountains with binoculars and will get you for drinking ( got me and my group 2 years ago ). With all the new houses going up around there the owners are making the rules for the river . Was fun back in the days don't know now.
adi is correct if in New Braunsfels City Limits; HOWEVER (as Iwrote):

2013 Guadalupe and Comal River Rules / Laws
Scroll Down To COMPARE !!!
The New River Rules created by the New Braunfels City Council,
"DO NOT" apply in Canyon Lake, Texas...

they only apply "within" the "City Limits of New Braunfels".
(Canyon Lake is 12 miles from the City Limits of New Braunfels, so there is no chance of
crossing into the City Limits of New Braunfels on any of Tube Haus' float trips.)
Please Note: Violation of any Rule(s) may result in Tickets, Fines and/or being Arrested.
New Braunfels has Gone "Ban Happy" and is Banning everything in site, but not in Canyon Lake, TX!

Click Here for a
Map Showing the New Braunfels City Limits Boundary Lines and the distance to Canyon Lake, TX.


The following chart illustrates and COMPARES the Differences in River Rules & River Laws for Canyon Lake and New Braunfels in 2013:



New Braunfels - River Rules
Only Apply Within the
City Limits
Lower Guadalupe (below the Gruene Bridge)
and the entire Comal River - - River Rules

COMPARE
< < > >

Canyon Lake, TX
Guadalupe River Rules (above Gruene Bridge)
(Tube Haus - Canyon Lake Area)
Absolutely "No Glass" allowed on the rivers!
< Same >
Absolutely "No Glass" allowed on the rivers!
No Styrofoam or Foam allowed on the rivers!
< Same >No Styrofoam or Foam allowed on the rivers!
No Littering Anywhere! Don't Mess With Texas!
< Same >No Littering Anywhere! Don't Mess With Texas! Life jackets are recommended for children under eight and for weak or non-swimmers.< Same >Life jackets are recommended for children under eight and for weak or non-swimmers No jumping from bridges, dams, trees or cliffs.< Same >No jumping from bridges, dams, trees or cliffs As always, State Law applies everywhere.< Same >As always, State Law applies everywhere When the river flow on the Guadalupe River is above 1000cfs, tubing is not allowed. The only allowed recreation is rafting. Very <Similar >When the river flow on the Guadalupe River (in Canyon Lake) is above 1200cfs, tubing is not allowed. The only allowed recreation is rafting.
New
Rule
By order of the New Braunfels' City Council:
No containers under 5 fluid ounces are permitted. (This usually refers to "Jello Shots" in 5 oz. or smaller plastic containers. This rule was created because so many people littered the rivers with small plastic containers after shooting down their Jello Shots, causing environmental problems. Jello Shots have NOT been outlawed, but all "disposable containers" have been outlawed and banned (see the next rule below this one). However, you can still bring your Jello Shots in reusable containers larger that 5 ounces, get creative and think outside the "box"!) Please Drink responsibly, thank you!
< New Rule,
and
Very Similar
>
By order of W.O.R.D., no open plastic containers of 5 fluid ounces or less are permitted on Comal County rivers (which includes the Guadalupe River). Reference to 5 oz. plastic containers usually refers to "Jello Shots" in 5 oz. or smaller plastic containers. This rule was created because so many people have littered the rivers with small plastic containers after shooting down their Jello Shots, causing environmental problems and a tough mess to clean up. Jello Shots have NOT been outlawed, only containers that are 5 ounces or smaller have been banned. You can still bring your Jello Shots in containers larger that 5 ounces. Please Drink responsibly, thank you!
New
Rule
Oh Man, A Serious Can Ban!!!
No Disposable Containers in New Braunfels (Also known as the New Braunfels "Can Ban" Rule):
THE NEW BRAUNFELS DISPOSABLE CONTAINER ORDINANCE NO. 2011-65 (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012) PROVIDES IN PART:

It shall be unlawful for anyone to use, carry or possess food or beverages in a "disposable container" on or in the public waters of the Guadalupe River or Comal River (inside the City Limits of New Braunfels) and each person is limited to one (1) cooler in accordance with Subsection (a)(1). Disposable Container means a receptacle designed to be used once, then thrown away. For purposes of this Subsection, disposable containers include, but are not limited to, metal and aluminum cans, glass containers, Styrofoam cups and containers, cardboard containers, paper sacks, boxes, Ziploc Baggies, candy bar wrappers, paper napkins and towels, and plastic containers and utensils, etc... View samples of Disposable Containers versus Non-Disposable Containers-- Click Here.

Any person who shall violate this provision shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00. WOW, are you serious??? !!! You better believe it, they are dead serious!

WARNING: You could face hefty fines from the City of New Braunfels Police and Park Rangers if you happen to be a "Good Samaritan", or quote a "Green Person", or a "Doer of Good Deeds" if you happen to see trash on the river within the City Limits of New Braunfels and you pick up that trash to transport it to the nearest trash can in an effort to keep the river clean. If caught with that trash, you will be fined for having "Disposable Containers" in your possession. You can try to explain your situation, but you stand an excellent chance of being ticketed. Anyone with Disposable Containers could tell the same story, whether it be true or not... you see the dilemma here? It appears it has become dangerous for you to help keep Texas clean! It is clearly apparent that the City of New Braunfels did not think through the repercussions of their new river rules before rushing them into law. Many fine and upstanding families have been hassled and ticketed for unknowingly having disposable containers in their possession, such as candy bars, sandwiches in Ziploc baggies, etc.. or an oversized cooler, and so on... New Braunfels seems to be taking on the atmosphere and the feel of being in a "Police State"...

< Different >Hooray!!!
No Can Ban Man!
Disposable Contains Are Legal and Okay
in Canyon Lake, Texas!

Bring all the Disposable Containers you want to Canyon Lake and on the Guadalupe River (Exceptions: Glass & Styrofoam Items are not allowed on any river in Texas). You can bring: Beer Cans, Soda Cans, Drinks in Plastic Bottles, Sandwiches in plastic baggies, Candy Bars in wrappers, Bags of Chips, plastic water bottles, paper sacks, paper napkins, plastic utensils and containers, etc... We only ask that you help us keep the rivers clean by stowing all your trash in the "Free Mesh Trash Bags" that Outfitters provide before you get on the river and then bring all your trash back with you at the end of your float, so it can be disposed of properly.

All the Outfitters in Canyon Lake issue Free "Mesh Trash Bags" to everyone who has a Cooler and to anyone who asks for one. The W.O.R.D. Organization supplies all the Local Outfitters with these Free Mesh Trash Bags throughout the Tube Season. Most of the Outfitters in Canyon Lake participate in recycling plastic and cans. At various times during the Tube Season, several organizations volunteer to do river clean-up for trash, with the largest clean-up effort taking place at the end of the Tube Season by FFR (Friends For Rivers).


Please Don't Mess With Texas!
Don't Be A Litter Bug!
Please Help Keep Our Lakes and Rivers Beautiful
by throwing away trash responsibly.


New
Rule
16 Quart Coolers - The Maximum permitted cooler size is now 16 quarts, one per person. 17 quarts or larger will get you a ticket!< Different >Okay - No Restrictions On Cooler Sizes!
Recommended Cooler Sizes by Tube Haus:
28 Quarts, 36 Quarts, 40 Quarts, and no larger than 48 Quarts - all these Coolers will fit nicely into an Inner Tube.
(Coolers larger than 48 Quarts become quite difficult to handle.)
New
Rule
Coolers must have a locking mechanism on the lid (zipper, Velcro, cord or latch).< Different >Okay - No Restrictions
New
Rule
No volume drinking devices, like beer bongs, funnels, tubes, hoses, etc...< Different >Volume Drinking Devices...
Okay - but not recommended

( Invites scrutiny by Law Enforcement )

New
Rule
Noise devices (radios and other devices) may not be audible beyond 50 feet. If you bring your own music with you inside the City Limits of New Braunfels, you better bring a "Tape Measure" with you, so you can check how far away your music can be heard in case the Cops say you're in violation at 50 feet & 1 inch..< Different >Noise Devices:
Boom Boxes, Cooler Radios, iPods, etc...

Okay - No Restrictions
New
Rule
Vessels on rivers may not be over 18 feet in length.< Different >Okay - No Restrictions
Note: Some Outfitters have their own rules about *"Private Equipment" - call before coming out.
*When the river flow on the Guadalupe River is "ABOVE" 500cfs, it is mandatory for all children under 8 years of age to wear a life jacket.< Different >Not Required - but highly recommended!
Please Note: Age requirements and restrictions do change
when River Levels / Flows increase, check with your
Outfitter of choice for their in house rules.
*When the river flow on the Guadalupe River is above 750cfs, it is mandatory for ALL individuals to wear a life jacket.< Different >Not Required - but highly recommended
for all non-swimmers! Please Note: Age requirements and restrictions do change when River Levels / Flows increase, check with your Outfitter of choice for their in house rules.
New Braunfels - Within City Limits
Comal River Rules - (Comal River Only)
< ---- >N/A *All the above Rules apply to the Comal River, plus the all the following Rules:< ---- >N/A New
Rule
On the Comal River, inflatable devices cannot exceed five feet in diameter if round; or, if they are rectangular or another shape, no side can exceed five feet in length.< ---- >N/A New
Rule
Limit of two Inflatable Devices per person on the Comal River.< ---- >N/A *Canoes and kayaks may not use the Last Tubers Exit on the Comal River on weekends and holidays.< ---- >N/A New
Rule
No alcohol allowed in City Parks and City owned properties, such as River Acres, Last Tubers Exit, Cypress Bend Park, Hinman Island, Prince Solms Park and more ... (see the Full List of Properties where Alcohol is Banned in New Braunfels, Click Here) Look for additional signage for exit and safety information at these locations.< ---- >N/A *Exceptions:

Vessels or inflatable devices operated by or under the supervision of the city's police department or parks and recreation department are exempt from the provisions of this section.

The City of New Braunfels will allow reasonable accommodations with regard to vessels or inflatable devices for individuals with disabilities or special needs.
< ---- >N/A Texas State Law - No Public Alcohol Consumption or Public Drinking on Sunday between the hours of 2:15am and 12 noon, (that is Saturday night after midnight going into Sunday morning until 12 noon for clarification) Official details here: TABC State of Texas< Same >
Texas State Law - No Public Alcohol Consumption or Public Drinking on Sunday between the hours of 2:15am and 12 noon, (that is Saturday night after midnight going into Sunday morning until 12 noon for clarification) Official details here: TABC State of Texas

N/A = Not Applicable - does not apply. *("Private Equipment" refers to your own stuff.)
2013 New Braunfels River Rules, Water Rules, River Laws, River Ordinances, Policies and Restrictions
The newest, the latest, the most current and up-to-date and the most complete River Rules & Laws for the Guadalupe River
and Comal River in New Braunfels and Canyon Lake, Texas! 2013 Boundary Map for New Braunfels River Rules