Tubing the Guadalupe-anyone? (New Braunfels, San Marcos, Canyon Lake: coupons, to rent, family friendly)

[love roses]

I've only floated the Guadalupe. Never saw any snakes and only saw a couple of turtles but the turtles were closer to shore in very shallow water.

[OA 5599]

I've been once (going next weekend though!) and didn't see any. I really wouldn't worry about it. Your chances of dying in a car wreck on the way there are probably 1000x higher than even getting a snakebite, much less dying from one.
I've floated extensively in the Ozarks and been several feet away from water moccasins (cotton mouths), which are poisonous, and never had any problems. Some people say they will hop in your canoe, but I've been floating there for 15 years and never had a single problem.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

If your up to it, its fun to go to Gruen Dance hall afterward BUT it has no AC last I heard. Its supposed to be the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Then again I loved the outlet shopping at San Marcos.

[WestTx]

Originally Posted by Texanwannabe

Which river is more fun to float...the Guadalupe or the Comal? I have always wanted to try that Comal shoot. Has anyone done that? What's it like?

Depending on the water level, (which can fluctuate quite a bit) the Guadalupe is pretty wild. Much more of an adventure than the Comal. But the Comal is very fun too, (especially the shute.) The Guadalupe can also be a little dangerous. Don't worry about snakes, but watch for rocks. You can easily get flipped over in the rapids and hit your head on a rock if you're not careful. Skinned up knees, shins and butts are the norm when floating the Guadalupe. It's also a much longer float, sometimes lasting 5-6 hours depending on the flow rate. And if you have kids, be wary of drunks. Expect to hear at the very least a few "f" bombs.

Both are a lot of fun, but for families and those that don't want to spend all day on the river looking over their shoulders for the next rock, I'd suggest the Comal. If you want to drink a lot of beer and have a little more excitement, go for the Guadalupe. Both are a blast and I wish I lived closer so I could go every dang weekend!

[Lakewooder]

A group of friends from high school and college used to go every Memorial Day (then one-by-one they flaked off with marriages and kids). Only the first time we used canoes - then rented a party raft. The tubes may be fun but we never did it because of the prune-buttdragging thing...one of my friends jumped from the cliff and lost his class ring. He went back later with scuba gear - didn't find his ring but found a very valuable diamond ring.

Never saw a snake.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

A group of friends from high school and college used to go every Memorial Day (then one-by-one they flaked off with marriages and kids). Only the first time we used canoes - then rented a party raft. The tubes may be fun but we never did it because of the prune-buttdragging thing...one of my friends jumped from the cliff and lost his class ring. He went back later with scuba gear - didn't find his ring but found a very valuable diamond ring.

Never saw a snake.

The kind of tubes we had, had a board strapped on to the bottom so your butt did get pruned but it didn't knock against anything.

The party raft sounds like ALOT of fun though.

[Lakewooder]

Well we wiped out at Hueco Falls once - a little like in How the West Was Won (1962)

Found this: Guadalupe River, Texas

[TexasNick]

A few pics of when I went kayaking on the Guadalupe, a little different than toobing.

[lonestar2007]

Wow TexasNick, it sure looks inviting.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by WestTx

Depending on the water level, (which can fluctuate quite a bit) the Guadalupe is pretty wild. Much more of an adventure than the Comal. But the Comal is very fun too, (especially the shute.) The Guadalupe can also be a little dangerous. Don't worry about snakes, but watch for rocks. You can easily get flipped over in the rapids and hit your head on a rock if you're not careful. Skinned up knees, shins and butts are the norm when floating the Guadalupe. It's also a much longer float, sometimes lasting 5-6 hours depending on the flow rate. And if you have kids, be wary of drunks. Expect to hear at the very least a few "f" bombs.

Both are a lot of fun, but for families and those that don't want to spend all day on the river looking over their shoulders for the next rock, I'd suggest the Comal. If you want to drink a lot of beer and have a little more excitement, go for the Guadalupe. Both are a blast and I wish I lived closer so I could go every dang weekend!

I lived in NB for 8 years & tubed dozens of times & agree with everything westtx posts.

If you're in your 20's & want to get drunk, go on the Guadalupe.....otherwise try the Comal first....truly a lovely float.


Tip....the Wurstfest Assoc. has a parking lot & toob rental next to the Wursthall. The nicest & longest float on the Comal, easily two hours.

Tip 2....if the Guadalupe is closed (due to low water)....don't float...the Comal will be a nightmare (drunk/crowded) float.

Tip 3.....Get in the water before 11am (or noon) & you'll miss the drunks....& have alot of your day left.

Tip 4.....No snakes on the Comal...they hate the spring fed 72 degree water.

Tip 5....Huisache Restaurant (near downtown) is actually better than the Gristmill (but i like them both).