River Float Near
Austin, Texas

Floating the river near Austin, Texas.

River float near Austin. Although Austin has tons of kayaking and paddle boarding on lady bird lake, you won't find any proper river tubing in the city.
The San Marcos River is the closest river to float to Austin, Texas.
From Austin, you can jump on highway IH35 and drive south about 45 minutes to San Marcos, Texas.
On IH35 Take exit 205 and head east towards Texas State tubes. We really enjoy floating the river with them.
Floating the river is one of the most popular activities to do in the summer if you're visiting Austin.
Don't have a vehicle or don't wanna drink and drive, no worries!
Frontera Tours offer float trips from Austin, Texas to the river. More Info here!

If you're driving to the San Marcos River, you can rent tubes at Texas State Tubes, Don's fish camp, and the Lions club.
You don't need any reservations to float the river, but most outfitters only operate during the summer.
Summer river tubing season is March-September.
If you are wanting to float the river during the off season, be sure and check their websites first.
Tube rental usually includes a shuttle back up to your car/parking lot.

The San Marcos river float is about 3-4 hours and definitely worth the 45 minute drive from Austin, Texas.
During the summer, it's quite common to have 100 degree days here in Texas and floating the river is the way to survive those days.
We are pretty lucky that the San Marcos river stays 72 degree all year around and really is the best way to beat the heat.
The water come from the San Marcos spring and is super fresh.
Some of our favorite parts about the river are the basking turtles and huge cypress trees. Be sure to check out the massive roots on the cypress trees, it's pretty amazing.

Drinking alcohol is allowed at the San Marcos River and cans are only allowed on the portion of the river that we float. East side of IH35.
Texas state tubes and Don's fish camp are technically in Martindale, Texas and is the reason you can still bring cans.
If you're in downtown San Marcos, Cans are NOT allowed on the river (2026 can ban).

Frontera Tours offer all inclusive river tubing trips from downtown Austin, Texas to the San Marcos River. More Info here!
Our float trips include tube rentals, coolers, ice, roundtrip transportation and a few hosts.
We depart from downtown Austin and provide A/C school buses.
Floating the river with us is the easiest and most convenient way to float the river from Austin.

Some things to take river tubing are hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water.
You could probably get away with no water shoes but if you do bring them, the cooler tubes are a great spot to store them while floating.
Sun shirts have come in handy and watches are nice to keep time.
People lose phones often so we recommend not taking any valuables out there.