Okay, so if Hinman Island Park is where locals go for peaceful river time, Prince Solms Park is where everyone goes for the full New Braunfels experience. It’s one of the city’s most recognized parks and recreation destinations.
Prince Solms sits right on the Comal River and essentially serves as tube central for New Braunfels. Multiple outfitters operate from or near here; the famous City Tube Chute attracts first-time visitors and seasoned locals alike.
If you’re only visiting one river park during your New Braunfels trip, this is probably the one. This guide walks you through all the wonders that await your visit to the Prince Solms Park.
Where You’re Actually Going
Prince Solms Park is located at 370 E. Lincoln Street in New Braunfels, positioned perfectly between downtown and other major river attractions.
You’re adjacent to Hinman Island Park (literally walking distance) and minutes from Schlitterbahn and Landa Park.
This central location is part of what makes Prince Solms so popular, since you’re not driving to some remote river access point. You’re in the heart of everything, which means easy logistics for combining park time with other activities.
Parking is where things get real. The park has on-site lots, but they fill absurdly fast during summer weekends.
Overflow parking exists nearby, and during peak tubing season, some outfitters run shuttles that help with transportation.
Things You Can Do At Prince Solms Park
The City Tube Chute (The Reason Half the People Are Here)
This is Prince Solms Park’s signature attraction—the concrete slide that’s become synonymous with New Braunfels fun. The chute is basically a manufactured waterslide built at an angle into the Comal River.
You position your tube at the top, gravity takes over, you slide down picking up speed, and then—splash—you hit the water and float away downstream. The experience is quick, maybe 10 seconds total, but it’s pure adrenaline and joy.
Water flow and difficulty level: It’s not extreme, but you are moving. The slide is slick, you pick up legitimate speed, and the splash at the bottom gets you thoroughly wet (which, you’re tubing, so that’s kind of the point). The current carries you away from the chute once you’re in the water, preventing traffic jams of tubes.
Recommended for strong swimmers? Not necessarily. If you can handle being in water and aren’t going to panic when splashed, you can handle the tube chute. Life jackets are available and recommended for kids, weak swimmers, or anyone nervous about the experience.
First-timer tips: Hold onto your tube’s handles firmly. Keep your feet up as you go down to avoid scraping. Lean back slightly rather than forward. Don’t wear loose items like hats or sunglasses unless they’re secured because the slide will definitely take them.
At the bottom, let momentum carry you naturally into the river rather than trying to stand up immediately.
Tubing the Comal River (Starting or Ending Here)
Prince Solms serves as a major hub for Comal River tubing. Many commercial outfitters launch from or near here, and DIY tubers with their own equipment use it as a starting or ending point for float trips.
Nearby rental outfitters operate within walking distance, providing tubes, shuttles, life jackets, and all the support services tourists need. You can literally walk from the parking to the rental counter to the tube chute to the river within minutes. The convenience is unmatched.
Shuttle pickup and drop-off also happen constantly during the summer. You’ll see vans and buses ferrying tubers to upstream launch points and picking up finished floaters. The system is well-established and efficient, as outfitters have been doing this for decades.
If you want a more relaxed experience, weekday mornings are the best time. You’ll still get the full tubing experience without competing with thousands of other people for river space.
Summer weekends are the most social and energetic, of course, but also the most crowded. So, choose based on what kind of atmosphere you want.
Swimming & Floating (Beyond the Chute)
While the tube chute gets all the attention, Prince Solms also provides calm swimming areas outside the chute channel where families can enjoy the Comal’s clear water without dealing with the slide.
The spring-fed water maintains that consistent 72°F temperature year-round. It’s refreshingly cool without being shockingly cold. You can spend hours in water at this temperature comfortably, which is exactly what many families do.
Swimming areas near the riverbanks tend to be shallower and calmer, perfect for young kids or anyone wanting to cool off without committing to serious swimming or tubing. Just floating in the current with a tube, no destination in mind, is its own pleasant experience.
Picnicking & Just Hanging Out
A lot of people come to Prince Solms not primarily to tube or swim but to claim a good picnic spot, set up for the day, and enjoy riverside atmosphere while maybe going in the water occasionally.
The shaded areas under mature trees become prime real estate during summer. Families spread out with coolers, chairs, games, and basically create temporary base camps. Kids rotate between the playground, swimming, and eating. Adults handle food, supervise, and relax.
Cooler rules apply here, though. Use reusable containers only. Disposables, glass, and Styrofoam are NOT allowed. Also, bring proper food storage, pack out all of your trash, and follow posted regulations about where alcohol is and isn’t allowed.
The best place to set your little picnic space is literally anywhere with shade near the river but away from the tube chute’s immediate splash zone. You want river views and a breeze without getting soaked by people coming down the slide.
Sports and Recreation
Prince Solms Park also features a 9-hole disc golf course that offers a fun, casual way to enjoy the outdoors. Perfect for beginners and experienced players alike, the course winds through shaded areas, making it a relaxing addition to your park visit.
There are also playgrounds that will keep kids ages 2-10 entertained for significant periods. Modern equipment, multiple play structures, and proximity to picnic areas make it convenient for parents managing both supervision and meal prep.
Open fields accommodate frisbee, soccer, football, or any activity requiring space. The grass handles heavy use reasonably well, though by late summer, after thousands of visitors, it shows wear.
Hours, Fees, and Seasons
Prince Solms Park itself is open dawn to dusk daily. The tube chute operates during daylight hours, weather permitting, typically from late spring through early fall (the exact schedule varies yearly based on conditions and staffing).
Entry to the park is free. You can walk in, use picnic facilities, access the river, and enjoy the park without paying anything. The tube chute itself may have a small fee if you’re using city-provided tubes rather than bringing your own.
Do your due diligence and check current pricing, but it’s nominal compared to commercial outfitter fees.
Parking is free but limited. No fee to park, but finding a space during peak times is the challenge, not the cost.
Summer and weekend capacity reaches maximum levels Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM. If you’re visiting during this window, arrive early or be very patient with parking and finding spots to set up.
Park Rules and Regulations
Understanding Prince Solms’ rules prevents citations, fines, and having your day ruined by rangers asking you to leave.
Alcohol allowances and restrictions: Like most New Braunfels river parks, alcohol policies are nuanced. Generally, alcohol is prohibited in parking lots and certain designated areas, but allowed in other parts of the park and definitely allowed IN the river itself.
The distinction matters, so check posted signs for current regulations specific to where you’re setting up.
Life jackets aren’t required for the tube chute or swimming (except kids under 13 on the river per Texas law), but they’re recommended and available. Don’t let pride or embarrassment prevent using flotation devices if you need them. It’s better to be safe than to struggle.
This should go without saying, but please, respect the environment. Don’t feed wildlife (it’s actually illegal in New Braunfels and carries fines). Stay on designated paths to prevent erosion. Don’t damage vegetation or trees.
Visit Prince Solms Park ASAP
There’s no denying that Prince Solms Park is New Braunfels’ river recreation hub. It’s the place where tubing culture, social atmosphere, and that famous tube chute all converge into something genuinely enjoyable, even when it’s crowded and chaotic.
If you’re visiting New Braunfels and debating whether Prince Solms is worth the hassle of crowds and parking challenges, here’s the answer: yes, at least once.
Experience the tube chute. Watch people come down the slide. Float the Comal from here. Be part of what makes New Braunfels summers special. Then, if you want something quieter next time, you’ll know where to find it.
Just remember: arrive early, bring the right gear, follow the rules, and be patient with crowds. Everyone’s there for the same reason after all, and that is to enjoy beautiful spring-fed water and have fun in the Texas Hill Country sun.
Featured image credit: Nikki Crittenden via Facebook