Hi friends, In continuation of my Texas Travel series: We were able to visit San Marco, TX this weekend to float the river. Texas river tubing is such a fun pastime and it can be so relaxing. We have been to San Marcos many times but never to float the river.
Their is no better way to spend your summer weekend then dipping your toes in a cool river. I will be sharing with you all of the details from our time there below so that you can plan your trip to the San Marcos River.
Road trip to San Marcos, TX
From Houston, San Marcos is only a 3 hour drive. It is located in the Hill country between Austin and San Antonio. We packed up the kids and headed to San Marcos for the weekend.
Tube Rental or Bring your own
There are several tube outfitters that can set you up for your Texas tubing adventure. We decided to buy our own tubes since we live in Texas and we are planning to visit the rivers more often through the years.
We were able to buy our tubes from Costco and Academy. The ones from Costco were $25. You can buy tubes at Academy as well. We bought a double tube with a cooler. This tube is amazing! It has a place to set your snacks as well.
There are also single tubes at Academy as well. We picked up on of these in pink for me. What I love about the tubes from Academy is that they can lock into each other. The ones from Costco have to be tied together. It isn’t too difficult to tie them but it is much easy to snap them in, this is why I favor the ones from academy. This ensures that you stay together while floating the river.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pick up a hand pump or an electric pump.
If you decide to buy and bring your own tubes (which is very common), you will need to make arrangements for after you float. One way is to float with friends and use a 2 car system: One car at the beginning of your float and one car parked at the end of your float.
The other option is paying a fee to use the shuttle. We used Lions Tube Rentals shuttle option. The fee was $10 a person but you can use it as many times as you would like.
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Tube Rental Option
If you decide to rent a tube it can cost anywhere from $15-20 per tube. This is a great option if you are visiting from out of state and would like to float the Texas rivers. At Lions Club Tube Rental, this will cost you $16 which include parking, tube, and all day access to the shuttles.
Lions Club Tube Rental
Lions Club Tube Rental was the outfitter that we chose for our transportation back to our vehicle once our float was finished. The main reason we chose to float with them is because they are known for being family and kid friendly.
Upon arriving to the Lions Club Tube Rental facility, we were able to park for free. We arrived at 10:30 for our 11:00am float reservation, More on this below. Once we checked in we were good to go. Pumped up are tubes and packed them with drinks and snacks.
At Lions Club tube rental you can also rent life vest, air up your tubes (not sure if there is a fee), as well as rent your tubes. There were families there that brought their own canopies to set over the few tables that were there. The tables are first come first serve.
There are stairs that lead down to the San Marcos river as well as stairs that help you get into the river.
Lions Club tube rentals is just behind the Texas State College Recreation hall.
Heads up! The water is chilly but it feels so good in the warm sun.
River Float details
The float from Lions Tube Rentals is only about an hour to 1 long. It is a fairly shorter float but a great one for first-timers as well as families with younger kids. The float ends at Rio Vista Park.
We were able to connect all of our floats together to make sure we didn’t drift apart. Our boys are 7, 4, and 3 years old. We brought their puddle jumper floats with them and had them wear them the whole time just in case they fell into the river.
There are some protected rice areas that you will need to steer yourself away from at times. You will also go under a few bridges as well. The current isn’t too strong so you are able to move yourself around freely.
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We saw many people find a shady tree and tie themselves to it to stay stationary.
Once you come to the end of your float you will see a large rock and the shuttles waiting near. There are also some rapids that are optional to go down but so much fun but beware they are for seasoned swimmers. The current is VERY strong in this area, many tubes were toppling over while others were not.
Our family floated down the river twice and my husband went down the rapids twice. He toppled over once, it gave us a good laugh.
Can I swim in the River?
You most certainly can swim in the San Marcos river. I am uncertain how deep it is but I believe that some parts are more deep than others.
For our second day, we decided to go to a different park in the area to swim the river. We ended up at Stokes park. There is a dam there and many places to either float the river or swim in.
There were even some kids and adult jumping off an area into the river. It was deep enough to in that area. There are some areas of the river where the current is stronger and it will push you along. We were able to take our tubes upstream and float down them several times as the current was more quick in this area.
There are also a places at the San Marcos river that can be for swimming and lounging.
What should I bring?
Whether you are planning to DIY river tubing or you are renting, you may be wonder what else you should bring? Here are a few things that we brought for our float.
- Tubes
- Money/Card
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Floating cooler
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- A bag to hold your trash
- Waterproof cell phone cases
- Sealed bags for any other items you don’t want wet.
- Lifevest or puddle jumpers for kids.
A few of these are worth mentioning. We brought 2 sunscreens. I am all about non- toxic sunscreen but in the end the spray on kinds ended protecting us from the sun more than the mineral one. What I love about it is it goes on clear and you only have to rub it in. It doesn’t leave white residue.
These waterproof cell phone cases are amazing! My husband and I each have one. No one wants there phone to get wet but we all still want to take pictures to remember and share our experience. These do the trick.
This waterproof, floating cooler is on our list. I have heard so many great things about it. We didn’t have one this visit and since our double float has a built in cooler it wasn’t needed this time, but it is on order or the next longer tubing adventure.
While you don’t need water shoes to float, if you decide that you want to take a swim in the San Marcos river they are so helpful. There are a lot of rocks and even some slippery algae in some places. Trust me you need these if you plan on doing anything else besides floating.
What else can I do besides float the river?
One of my most favorite reasons to visit San Marcos, TX has always been to go to the Tanger/Premium Outlets. With over 240 stores to shop, you are sure to find a few new pieces to add to your wardrobe. This is the reason I never knew about the San Marcos river until this past weekend. Every time I would come to San Marcos was to shop at the outlets.
Where should I stay?
Since our trip was last minute, we were able to stay at Hilton Homewood Suites. I would suggest that you opt for renting a cabin. These do book quickly so be sure to plan ahead. You can even find cabins off of the river. This would also be a good option if you have a dog that you want to bring along.
Did you know that dogs are allowed on the river? We saw plenty of them just be sure to have them on a leash as it is required.
Hilton Homewood Suites
If cabin life isn’t your thing, the Hilton hotel was only a 10 minute drive from the San Marcos river. It is only a 3 minute drive from the outlets too. Within walking distance, you will find a Target, Academy, Specs liquor store, and several other stores in a shopping center.
We were able to pick up some snacks and sunscreen at Target before our float.
For this trip, we were able to book a suite which had a king size bed, a couch that converts into a bed. A full kitchen with a full sized refrigerator, a cook top, microwave, coffee machine, dishwasher, toaster, and dishes/silverware.
On the property, you have access to a basketball court, outdoor swimming pool, and a workout room.
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Other activites to do while in San Marcos:
Glass bottom boat tour
How cool is it to be able to take a ride on a glass bottom boat?! Well if you are in the San Marcos area you can. Make a stop at The Meadows Center for a unique experience of a glass bottom boat tour. The tour is 30 minutes long, where you will be able to see lots of flora and fauna as well as some fish too. The tours run daily from 9:30am-5pm. The tickets run just under $10 per person. They also offer discounts for kids under 12, and seniors. Children 2and under are free. The boat seats about 20 individuals. Private boat tours are also available.
Glow Kayaking
Catch a night under the stars on the lake with Glow Kayaking from Paddle SMTX. You can book your glow kayaking tour online. The tours run 7 days a week in the summer but spots are limited. Be sure to book in advance. You can choose from 7 different glow colored kayaks. Tours are about 70-90 minutes long. It’s BYOB but no glass containers. Pets are not allowed, so you will have to leave little Fido back for this one. This is such a unique and fun experience. A relaxing way to end the evening on the lake and under the stars. It would also make a great date night as well. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The prices is just under $45 per person.
Sewell Park at Texas State University
This park is 6 arces and offers a variety of activities for you and your group. It has 2 volleyball courts, a basketball court, barbecue areas, and easy access to the water for swimming and snorkeling. Bring the family out for a funfilled area that offers a lot to do.
Tips for keeping cool in the summer heat on the river:
- Bring and drink a lot of water.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Bring sunglasses, hats, and swimsuits or lightweight clothing.
- Fill double walled tumblers with ice to help keep cool.
- Take a break when needed.
- Pack a mini handheld fan.
- Coolers are allowed on the lake. Pack with snacks and drinks.
List of riverfront parks with public access for swimming:
- Rio Vista Park
- City Park
- Stokes Park
- Children’s Park
- Plaza Park
- Crook Park
- Ramon Lucio Park
- Bicentennial Park
- Veramendi Plaza
Recap of tubing San Marcos:
Whether you are going with your girlfriends, family, or significant other you are sure to have a great time floating the San Marcos river. It is a Texas rite of passage to visit at least once. Decide beforehand, if you would like to stay in a cabin off of the river or in a hotel. You can easily rent or buy your own tubes. Don’t forget your snacks and sunscreen. Most importantly have fun and relax.
XO,
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