If one were to write a fairy tale akin to “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” about the great tubing rivers of The Texas Hill Country, it would be titled “Giant Flocks and the Three Rivers”. Once upon a time there were tubers, many, many tubers, in search of the river that was “just right”. They arrived in The Texas Hill Country, and this is what they found.
Comal Tubes
Things to Do
The Tale of Giant Flocks and the Three Rivers: The Guadalupe, Comal, and Frio
By |
The Guadalupe River, AKA Papa Bear
Photo: Tubehaus
Mention tubing in Texas, and one particular river comes to mind: The Guadalupe. It is popular with, well, the popular crowd. This river attracts the more gregarious bunch. On the weekends, the river is filled with people and fun. The river is substantial and can accommodate the crowds, both on the water and off. The sporting measure of the river is lengthy. The geography vacillates between stretches of calm, flowing waters and roaring rapids. The prime locations for tubing are The Chute and The Horseshoe. Some have tried the river and found it too hot, if you know what I mean.
The Frio River, AKA Mama Bear
Photo: Dawn Fisher
To say Texas is hot during the summer would be a huge understatement. The Frio River is the perfect spot to cool off from the sweltering Texas temps. The aptly named river, Spanish for cold, is just that: cold. There is approximately 50 miles of river available for tubing. It is a stunning, removed river with clear waters and bounded by massive cypress trees. The Frio is a fantastic place to take the family as the large, wilder crowd might find it “too cold”. There are many places to get in and enjoy the ride. The Frio flows right through Garner State Park. Why not make a vacation out of it and stay for a bit? One word of caution: check for water flow rate before heading out as it is smaller than other rivers and prone to slow flow and drought.
The Comal River, AKA Baby Bear
Photo: Comal Tubes
Big things come in small packages, or should I say short packages. The Comal River, in New Braunfels, is the shortest navigable river in the state of Texas. The word “comal” means flat griddle in Spanish. Some say the name describes a flat area where the spring starts at Landa Park. Its stimulating flow meets the Guadalupe 4 short kilometers later. This river not only attracts tubers but scuba divers as well. Clear, wide and a comfortable 72 degrees all year round many tubers say it is “just right”.
