River Rules

Comal River Rules 2024 & New Braunfels Can Ban Info

Lots of People Tubing on the Comal River near Texas Tubes and Hinman Island Park adhering to the Comal River Rules in New Braunfels, TX

The New Braunfels City Council drafted, voted on, and passed the following River Rules/Ordinances/Regulations. New Braunfels River Outfitters did NOT make these Rules... Outfitters do their best to inform and educate their customers about these rules for the benefit and protection of their customers! Know Before You Go! Please read all the River Rules -  Make informed decisions!

  • Yes! Alcohol & Food Items are Legal and are allowed on the Comal River while Tubing as long as they are in "non-disposable containers". Watch our YouTube Video about: Can Ban Options (How To Guide). Click this Link for "Examples of non-disposable containers". Here are some more examples of Non-Disposable Containers you CAN bring on the Comal River: Flasks, Wineskins, Thermoses, Tupperware, Canteens, Yeti type Drink Cups and Tumblers, Sport Drink Bottles, Drinking Cooler Jugs, Hydration Backpacks, etc. Non-Disposable Containers are containers you buy to use over and over again, that are reusable containers you will not throw away. (See the Image at the bottom of this page for examples of what you CAN and CANNOT bring on the Comal River.) Note: “Non-Disposable containers” cannot be made from Glass or Styrofoam. (Note: The Comal River Rules are also referred to as the "New Braunfels Can Ban") Please drink responsibly and keep it safe and fun for everyone. Thank You!
  • Can Ban Rule: No Disposable Containers are allowed on the Comal River: All “throw away" and/or "one time use” drink containers, food packaging  and wrappers, are prohibited, banned, and outlawed on the Comal River. This Rule is also known as the "New Braunfels Can Ban". Watch our YouTube Video about: Can Ban Options (How To Guide). Examples of "Disposable Containers" are: Plastic water bottles, Ziploc and Plastic baggies, plastic forks, spoons, knives, paper cups, plastic cups, Styrofoam cups and containers, all glass items, beverage cans, one time use mini kegs, food wrappers and packaging, plastic wrap, plastic trash bags, aluminum foil, wine boxes, juice boxes, paper plates, paper towels, napkins, etc...  Important Notice: The City of New Braunfels (Police and Park Rangers) will be patrolling the Comal River, looking to ticket and issue citations to violators who bring "Disposable Items" on the river... issued Tickets/Citations could cost violators up to $500 per ticket!
  • Absolutely "No Glass" allowed on any Texas river! (State Law). Broken glass is dangerous for bare feet.
  • No Foam or Styrofoam allowed on any Texas river! (State Law) -- (hazardous for wildlife and the environment) 
  • No Littering anywhere in Texas, especially on Texas rivers. (State Law) - Don’t Mess With Texas!
  • No containers under 5 fluid oz.
  • No volume drinking devices (No Beer Bongs, or devices that allow alcohol to be ingested into the human body by carrying the liquid from a higher location into the mouth by force of gravity or mechanical means, including but not limited to funnels, tubes and hoses. (Hydration Packs are not gravity or mechanically fed, they work like a straw, where you must use suction to access your beverage).
  • Coolers must be 30 Quarts or smaller in size and have a "locking mechanism or clasp" to secure the lid, also, there is a limit of 1 cooler per person. A locking mechanism or a clasp is required on all coolers to prevent the contents of your cooler from spilling into the river in case you flip over in your tube or your cooler accidentally falls into the river. Examples of "locking mechanisms or clasps" are: (Zippers, Velcro, Latches, Bungee Cords, Side Release Buckle Straps, etc...) Note: Texas Tubes has 30 Quart Coolers with Locking Mechanisms for rent, in case you need one, and we also sell bags of ice for your convenience.
  • No jumping from bridges, dams, or trees
  • Noise devices may NOT be audible beyond 50 feet - Radios, Boom Boxes, Music Players, Blue Tooth Speakers, etc…
  • Tube Size: Inflatable floatation devices and/or tubes shall not exceed five feet (5′) in length or width (City Ordinance Section 86-16). (Note: Most Double Tubes exceed 5 feet in length and are NOT allowed on the Comal River... you can be ticketed by law enforcement and fined if you take a Double Tube on the Comal River. Double Tubes do not fit well going through the Tube Chute and take extra time when exiting the river at the Last Public Exit, slowing down the flow of other people exiting the river and causing a backup.)
  • Limit of two tubes per person
  • Life Jackets are recommended for children under 8 yrs. old, and for weak swimmers and non-swimmers. Complimentary Life Jackets are available for all Texas Tubes' Customers upon request.
  • Ziploc and Plastic baggies are considered "disposable containers" and are prohibited on the Comal River. Many people want to keep their valuables (like Cell Phones, Medications, Money, etc...) in a safe waterproof container, however Plastic Baggies are not allowed on the river, you must use a "reusable waterproof container". Here are a few popular Waterproof Containers on Amazon: (Simple & cheap - Mr. Lid Containers) -(Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag $21 - Amazon) - (Freegrace - Set of 3 Waterproof Dry Bags $16 - Amazon), Tupperware is another option... search the Internet for more options.
  • New Braunfels Hands Free Cell Phone Ordinance: While this has nothing to do with Tubing on the Comal River directly, it does impact Tourists and anyone else indirectly, who do not know about the"New Braunfels Hands Free Cell Phone Ordinance" while they are driving "To or From" Texas Tubes within the New Braunfels City Limits, so that is why we are including this Ordinance with our Comal River Rules to alert you about this Ordinance and hopefully prevent you from getting a ticket. The City of New Braunfels has a Hands Free Cell Phone ordinance prohibiting the use of cell phones (and other devices) while operating a motor vehicle inside the New Braunfels City Limits. The ordinance also encompasses other hand-held wireless devices like PDAs, MP3 players, e-book readers, laptops, portable video game devices, GPS systems and pagers. If you need to use your Cell Phone while driving, please use your Blue Tooth connection to talk"Hands Free"or put your cell phone on "Speaker" and talk "Hands Free"... whatever you do, do not hold your phone (or other Devices) in either hand while driving within the City Limits of New Braunfels. This Ordinance is highly enforced, so please be vigilant about using your cell phone "hands free" while driving in New Braunfels, and please wear your seat-belts.
    Thank you!
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