The Comal is often called the shortest major river in Texas — about two and a half miles from the Comal Springs to where it joins the Guadalupe — and nearly all of it is floatable. Because it is spring-fed at a steady 70–72 degrees, it floats reliably even in drought summers when the Guadalupe runs low. This guide covers the route, the rules, and the things locals wish visitors knew.
The route
Most floats start near Prince Solms Park or at outfitter put-ins just downstream of Landa Park. The full float runs two to three hours depending on flow and how often you stop. The famous tube chute at Prince Solms Park — a concrete channel built around a dam — is the adrenaline moment of the trip; you can walk around it if you would rather not run it.
Rentals and shuttles
Outfitters cluster along the river and handle everything: tube, life jackets for kids, and a shuttle back to your car. Bring a cooler tube if you rent one, and expect to leave a deposit. If you bring your own tube, the city operates the Tube Chute pass separately.
The rules that actually get enforced
- No glass or styrofoam anywhere on the river — coolers get checked.
- Container limits apply on city stretches of the river; check current city ordinance before you pack.
- No littering — fines are real and the river is patrolled in summer.
- Life jackets are required for young children and are free to borrow at most outfitters.
Local tips
- Go weekday mornings in summer, or September when the water is still warm and the crowds are gone.
- Wear river shoes — the bottom is rocky and the exits are concrete.
- Waterproof your phone or leave it in the car; the chute claims dozens a week.
- The stretch through Landa Park is the prettiest water in town — clear enough to watch fish under your tube.
- Parking fills by 11am on summer Saturdays; ride-share or arrive early.
Comal vs. Guadalupe
Choose the Comal for warm, clear, reliable water and a shorter float that ends near downtown. Choose the Guadalupe for longer floats, mild rapids, and the River Road scenery. Families with small kids almost always prefer the Comal.