There are so many amazing places in Texas to enjoy the water. Each offers a unique experience. Every year; drought, rainfall, flooding, closures, laws will have an effect on Texan’s ability to enjoy the creeks and rivers! Here are some great suggestions and some tips for your trip! Caves in Texas are most concentrated in a specific region known as the Edwards Plateau. Located west of San Antonio and Austin, the Edwards Plateau includes much of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. These are absolutely MUST SEE adventures! Time to get up and go!
places to go
SAN MARCOS RIVER
Location: San Marcos
Time: 1-3 hrs
Water: Some small rapids
Vibes: The biggest party river
Tubes: Texas State Tubes, Don’s Fish Camp, and Lions Club of San Marcos
COMAL RIVER
Location: New Braunfels
Time: Shortest float; 1-2 hrs
Water: Limited rapids
Vibes: Best for families
Tubes: 444 Tubing Company, Rockin’ R, and Comal Tubes
GUADALUPE RIVER
Location: New Braunfels
Time: 2-6 hour floats
Water: More rugged with rapids
Vibes: Party atmosphere
Tubes: Rockin’ R, Whitewater Sports, and Lone Star Float House
FRIO RIVER
Location: Concan
Time: 3-7 hours
Water: Clear, cold and calm
Vibes: Secluded & the most beautiful
Tubes: Andy’s on River Road, and Josh’s Frio River Outfitters
Pack a waterproof speaker.
Leave the valuables at home (prepare to lose things).
Bring cash for easy entry!
Bring a cooler + a tube for it to float on (connect it to your tube with a rope).
Pack all food & beverages in reusable containers.
Wear water shoes.
Pre-book your tubes online before your trip.
Check water levels & flow speed before you go.
Wear sunscreen & reapply often.
& most importantly…HAVE FUN!
Each river has a slightly different set of rules so make sure to check the river you plan to float before going!
In general:
- Some rivers have a can ban and require that all food & alcohol must be in non-disposable containers
- No glass or styrofoam
- No jumping from bridges, dams, trees, or cliffs
- Always exit the river to go to the bathroom. PLEASE
- Leave no trace event. Pack in, Pack out!
- Watch others and warn others of dangers. Be kind. foster community on the river! SHARE!
CAVES! nice and cool year round!
College students discovered Natural Bridge Caverns in 1960. This family-owned and operated cave system is now one of the most commercially recognized caves in the state. The facility offers several surface attractions, but the real fun is found on an underground tour.
On a private ranch, three hours west of San Antonio, Caverns of Sonora is perhaps the most beautiful show cave in Texas.
This untitled cavern features large rooms and many hanging formations, located an hour’s drive from both San Antonio and New Braunfels. It was named as such because no title could capture the beauty of the cave system, and Cave Without a Name has been inspiring the public since its mainstream discovery in 1939
Longhorn Caverns State Park offers a unique caving experience ninety minutes northwest of Austin. The cave also displays significant cultural depth alongside its rich geologic history.
The Texas Highway Department discovered this stellar cavern while constructing Interstate 35 in 1963. Public interest quickly grew after the discovery of the cave, and Inner Space Cavern has provided guided tours ever since.
Cascade Caverns is an accessible cavern near San Antonio, offering a hidden world to explore beneath the Texas Hill Country. Guided tours are the only way to see the wonders below ground, and Cascade Caverns provides a daily “Downunder Tour” led by a professional guide. Downunder Tours last up to an hour and traverse lighted passageways atop smooth gravel
Guided tours are the only way to experience the underground treasures at Colorado Bend State Park. A third-party concessionaire offers trips ranging from beginner-friendly tours to advanced expeditions that include climbing. All tours at Colorado Bend dive deep into the ground and reveal a fascinating world beneath the surface.
Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park is in San Marcos, halfway between Austin and San Antonio.
The two largest caves at Kickapoo Cavern State Park are Stuart Bat Cave and the namesake feature, Kickapoo Cavern. The state park prohibits self-exploration of any cavern to protect the delicate habitats. The state park offers guided tours of Kickapoo Cavern on Saturdays, and visitors must reserve their spot ahead of time.
Due to the nature of the cave, no guided tours are available at Devil’s Sinkhole Natural Area. Admission to the natural area is also only available through a guided visit. Between May and October, the state natural area offers daily evening tours to watch the explosion of bats coming out of the cave. The state natural area also offers guided nature walks and bird-watching expeditions. Tours meet in the nearby city of Rocksprings.
Bracken Cave, a 30-mile drive northwest of San Antonio, offers a different kind of cave experience. This cave isn’t for exploring, but instead spectating, as millions of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from its sinkhole entrance. This dazzling evening ritual occurs between May and September.
Bat Conservation International owns Bracken Cave and the vast surrounding acreage. Membership and reservations are required to see the bats live. Annual memberships are available for a nominal fee. All proceeds go towards the non-profit organization’s mission of maintaining crucial bat habitats.
An estimated 15 million bats live in and emerge from Bracken Cave. This makes it one of the largest bat colonies in the world
