This Dreamy River in Texas Is a Summer Escape You’d Regret Missing

Picture water so green it’s practically part of the greenery around it.

The Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, Texas, offers a summer view of shimmering green water, with the peaceful sound of wind rustling through tree branches along the banks.

Trees line the sides of this river, blocking out the world beyond.

In summer, that big Texas sky stretches up above you. Blue. Dotted with white clouds.

While everyone else heads south to the Gulf Coast, you’re sitting pretty on the banks of a river. The day has only just begun.

What to Expect

This river earned a National Gold Medal Award for excellence in the field of park and recreation management. It’s managed by the City of New Braunfels.

The river runs from Kerr County all the way down to the Gulf Coast. Part of the river falls within New Braunfels’ city limits.

You can visit two different parks close to the river.

Your options are Cypress Bend Park or River Acres Park. Cypress Bend is located at 503 Peace Avenue; River Acres is located at 501 Fair Lane.

These parks are open every day from 6 a.m. to midnight.

The river itself is always open to the public for recreation. The only exceptions are periods of high water or public safety concerns.

Heavy rains raise the water level and accelerate the current, which can trigger temporary closures.

Check the river’s Real Time River Flow page for the most up-to-date information. It’s hosted on a GIS hub with which you can interact.

In general, these are the city’s guidelines for the river’s flow, related to heavy rains.

If it’s 100-500 cfs, any recreation activities are fair game.

If it’s 500-750 cfs, swimmers are cautioned. You’ll need to have life jackets on any kids who are 8 years old or younger. Recreation activities are still okay, but use your best judgment.

At 750-1,000 cfs, swimmers and tubers should be cautious. Life jackets are a must for all ages.

The city notes you’ll need to “use extreme caution” if it’s 1,000 cfs or above. Recreation is limited to guided rafting trips. No tubing is allowed.

Another thing to be aware of is that there are no lifeguards stationed along the river within New Braunfels’ city limits.

Okay, well, what’s okay to take to the park? And what’s not okay?

You can bring reusable containers, but it’s best to leave any disposable containers, including recyclables, at home.

For example, you’re good to go with reusable jugs, sports bottles, hydration paks, insulated bottles, food containers, and cups. Each person can only bring one cooler that’s 30 quarts or less.

Please leave these items at home: disposable snacks, cans, beverage boxes, bags, cups, and pouches, as well as glass and plastic bottles. Take care of the environment!

Sound-emitting devices, such as speakers or radios, must not be audible beyond 50 feet. Respect your neighbors who enjoy the river as you do.

No jumping is allowed from bridges or overpasses. Stay safe!

Tubes are something fun to bring with you to this park. Note that you can only bring two tubes per person. The tubes also can’t be over 5 feet in length, width, or diameter.

Canoes and kayaks are another exciting way to spend an afternoon with friends or family. Don’t bring any that are more than 18 feet long.

Weekends and holidays, as expected, can get busy at these parks, so budget your time accordingly.

The parking fee is $20 per vehicle at both parks.

They offer paid parking from May 1 through Labor Day every year.

Don’t park in any of the no-parking zones. Be aware of the fire lane zones, too.

There’s a 10-minute loading zone at Cypress Bend Park.

Cypress Bend also has a public restroom and a nature bike/walking trail. Both parks have public river access, which is a plus.

The city’s River Recreation Season is May 1 through Labor Day. There’s definitely an uptick in traffic and crowds at these parks.

At Cypress Bend, they don’t allow parking along the river during this season to make room for River Outfitter shuttles to drop off and pick up. At River Acres, public parking isn’t permitted on residential streets around the park.

Parking lots around the park are open from 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. every day (with a few exceptions).

You can park at Prince Solms Park, with a fee of $20 per visit per vehicle. There’s Hinman Island, which costs $30 per visit per vehicle. Note that Hinman Island is closed on weekends and holidays.

Elizabeth Street Lot charges $10 per visit per vehicle. It’s pay-to-park on weekends and holidays. Weekdays are free!

East San Antonio Street and Mill Street cost $20 per visit per vehicle.

Things to Do

One of the coolest things about the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels is the River Outfitters.

Who’s a River Outfitter? Well, they take care of everything around your fun day out on the river.

Prices range from $15 to $22 per person.

This price includes parking, shuttles to and from the river, tube rentals, and other fees. Services vary from outfitter to outfitter.

Some examples of outfitters in New Braunfels are Comal Tubes, Corner Tubes, Tejas Tubos, and Float In. Check out the city’s website for a complete list of outfitters in the New Braunfels area.

Well, what can you do at Cypress Bend? You can go swimming in the river. There’s direct access to be able to swim, but be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty.

Go fishing in the river, or take your kayak or canoe out on the water.

It’s a great place for a picnic with the family on a nice day. Bring everything you’d need to spend a few hours by the river’s rushing sound and under the trees’ canopy.

Cypress Bend also has a pavilion that’s available to book for reservations. If you have a large group or you’d like to plan a birthday party, engagement photo shoot, or a retirement party, make a reservation for this outdoor pavilion.

For families with little kids, there’s a playscape at Cypress Bend. If you have teens or college-aged kids, check out the park’s large, open space to play games.

River Acres has some similar activities available, but it’s not quite as large as Cypress Bend.

At River Acres, you also have access to go swimming right on the river. There aren’t any lifeguards, so monitor your kids’ locations carefully.

You can go fishing on this part of the river, too. Or take out your kayak or canoe for a relaxing ride.

Picnics are also a popular pastime in this park. Bring your family or friends to a day out in nature, and catch up on the latest news from your cousins, in-laws, or college buddies.

Note that no personal grills are allowed in the park. Pack what you’ll need, and enjoy!

River Acres also has a wide, open space for kids to run around or for teens to play a game.

The park has benches, if you’d like to sit a bit and watch your kids play.

Tubing is the most common recreational activity that visitors like to do. They fondly refer to the river as “The Guad.”

Locals fondly call it ‘The Guad’ — use it in conversation, and you’ll sound like a regular.

If you love to float, or you and the kids could use a relaxing trip, make plans to go tubing together.

Adventure seekers like to do rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Something unique about this section of the river in New Braunfels is that it’s one of the nation’s hot spots for year-round fly fishing. You’ll discover fishing lines as you make your way down to and along the river.

Every winter, thousands of rainbow trout are released into the river — a treat for fly fishing enthusiasts.

How do we get to one of these parks? Type Cypress Bend Park, New Braunfels into your Maps app.

Where: Cypress Bend Park, 503 Peace Ave, New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Whether you’re ready for nice weather to get out and enjoy nature, or you love to stand beneath trees much taller than you and remind yourself the world’s bigger than you, these two parks in New Braunfels will hit the spot.

Don’t let a day go by without convincing a group of friends or family members who are in town to tag along with you. The river’s banks are meant for the music of laughs, yells, humming, and taking photos.

While the river only passes through New Braunfels on its way to the next town, this little slice of the river is yours to kayak, canoe, fish, or swim in.

The water keeps moving, but with it, it washes off your worries.

Check out the city’s website about the Guadalupe River for more information and recommendations on what to do and where to shop, dine, and more.