Memorial Day Weekend River Tubing Near Austin: 2026 Guide

Everything you need to know about crowds, prices, parking, and which river to pick for Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–25, 2026. Updated for 2026 outfitter rates, the new Rio Vista fee, and low-flow Guadalupe conditions.

May 22–25, 2026 | San Marcos | Comal | Guadalupe

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1Memorial Day 2026 Quick Facts 2Day-by-Day Crowd Forecast 3Which River Should You Pick? (Decision Tree)4Parking Fill Times & Shuttle Cutoffs 52026 Prices Updated 6Rio Vista Park & New Fees 7Disposable Container Ban & What You Can Bring 8Book Now: Memorial Day Cutoffs 9FAQ

Memorial Day 2026 Quick Facts

Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, making it a full 3-day weekend (May 23–25) with many Central Texans taking Friday May 22 off for a 4-day stretch. This is the unofficial kickoff of Texas tubing season — every outfitter on the San Marcos, Comal, and Guadalupe rivers goes into full summer mode that weekend.

Weather outlook: Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, water temperatures around 72°F on spring-fed Comal and San Marcos, a few degrees cooler on the Guadalupe below Canyon Dam.
River conditions: Canyon Lake sits at 58.4% capacity in April 2026. Guadalupe flows are running low for the season (~60 cfs). San Marcos and Comal are spring-fed and flowing normally.
New in 2026: Rio Vista Park in San Marcos now charges a $5 non-local daily access fee on summer weekends and holidays (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Outfitter hours: Texas State Tubes, Rockin' R, and Tube Haus all run full 7-day-a-week operations starting Saturday May 23 through Labor Day. Last rental is typically 4pm across the board.
Booking window: Shuttles and party buses typically sell out a week or more in advance for Saturdays. If you are reading this inside that window, book now before reading the rest.

Heads up: Memorial Day weekend is consistently the busiest tubing weekend of the year. Do not count on walk-up availability.

Day-by-Day Crowd Forecast

Memorial Day Weekend is the single highest-volume weekend of the year on the Comal River and a top-3 weekend on the San Marcos and Guadalupe. Here is what to expect each day.

Saturday, May 23 – MAX CROWDS

The biggest tubing day of the weekend. Expect peak traffic on I-35 toward New Braunfels starting at 8am. All three rivers will hit capacity by noon. Rio Vista parking fills early — plan to arrive before 10am to secure a spot. Expect check-in lines at peak-volume outfitters — arrive at opening.

Move: Leave Austin by 7:30am, be at the outfitter by 9am, first tube in the water by 10am. Or skip Saturday entirely.

Sunday, May 24 – HIGH CROWDS (~85% of Saturday)

Nearly as busy as Saturday but with a slightly later peak. Parking fills around 11am. Sunday mornings tend to draw more families and day-trippers; Saturday is heavier with party groups. Shuttle availability is moderately better.

Move: Best day for families who want activity but slightly calmer vibes. Target a 10:30am launch.

Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) – MODERATE CROWDS (~60–70% of Saturday)

The best day of the weekend by a wide margin. Many visitors drove home Sunday evening. Parking does not fill until noon. Shuttle waits drop to under 15 minutes. Rivers are still lively but you can actually stretch out and relax.

Move: If you have flexibility, float on Monday. You will thank yourself.

Friday, May 22 – LIGHT-TO-MODERATE CROWDS

Underrated. Many outfitters are fully staffed but volume is closer to a regular summer weekday. Excellent for groups that can take PTO. Plan a Friday float and then enjoy the rest of the weekend without crowds.

Which River Should You Pick? (Decision Tree)

In 2026 the right answer depends on your group, flow conditions, and how much you want to deal with rules. Use this decision tree.

Pick San Marcos if…

You want the most consistent, reliable flow in 2026
Your group is college-aged or looking for a fun social float
You can stomach the new $5 Rio Vista non-local fee
You want the shortest drive from Austin (~35 miles)

See the full San Marcos River Tubing Guide.

Pick Comal if…

You have kids or a multi-generational group — shallow, calm, ~2 hours
You want a spring-fed 72°F float regardless of Guadalupe flow
You are okay with the strictest container rules in Texas (no cans, no disposables, reusables only)
You want to pair the float with downtown New Braunfels afterward

See the full Comal River Tubing Guide.

Pick Guadalupe (upper stretches) if…

You want the smallest crowds of the three rivers
You are okay with a slower, more technical float due to low 2026 flows (~60 cfs)
You prefer longer trips (3–4+ hours) and scenic cypress canyons
You are an experienced tuber who can navigate slow water around rocks

See the full Guadalupe River Tubing Guide.

Skip the lower Guadalupe this Memorial Day

With Canyon Lake at 58.4% and Guadalupe flows hovering around 60 cfs, the lower Guadalupe stretches below Canyon Dam are slow, shallow, and have long stretches of dragging bottom. For Memorial Day 2026, we recommend San Marcos or Comal for a better experience.

Parking Fill Times & Shuttle Booking Cutoffs

Parking is the single biggest cause of Memorial Day Weekend stress. Here is the realistic timeline based on recent Memorial Day weekends.

Location	Saturday Fill Time	Monday Fill Time	Cost
Rio Vista Park (San Marcos)	~10:30am	~12:00pm	$5 non-local day-use fee
Texas State Tubes lots	~11:00am	~12:30pm	Free with rental
Rockin' R (Gruene / Guadalupe)	~11:30am	~12:30pm	$10 weekend parking (May–Aug)
Prince Solms Park (Comal)	~9:45am	~11:30am	Paid parking (check posted kiosk rates)

Shuttle & Party Bus Cutoffs

Private shuttles from downtown Austin and party buses to the rivers book up fast for Memorial Day Weekend. Here is the realistic booking window for 2026:

10–14 days out: Full selection of departure times and vehicles. Group sizes from 6 to 40 available.
7–10 days out: Saturday largely sold out. Sunday and Monday still workable. Limited vehicle options for groups over 20.
3–6 days out: Only Monday remains consistently available. Saturday/Sunday require calling every vendor or paying premium last-minute rates.
0–2 days out: Rideshare or drive yourself. Most party buses will be booked.

Book now: See our full Austin River Tubing Shuttle Directory and the Austin Party Bus Guide.

2026 Prices Updated

Outfitter prices are up roughly 5–8% from 2025. Memorial Day rates are the same as regular summer weekends — there is no holiday surcharge, but there are also no early-season discounts.

Texas State Tubes (San Marcos)

Tube rental + shuttle: $30
Bring-your-own tube + shuttle: $20
Cooler tube add-on: ~$12
Open daily May–August, last rental 4pm

Rockin' R (Guadalupe & Comal)

Tubing: $23
Rafting: $40
Weekend parking (May–Aug): $10
Kayaks and single/double rafts available

Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

Tube + shuttle: $23–$30
Parking: $5–$10
Cooler / drinks / snacks: $10–$25
Gas or rideshare to/from Austin: $15–$25
Tip for shuttle driver: $2–$5
Total realistic Memorial Day per person: $55–$95

Rio Vista Park & the New $5 Non-Local Fee

This is new for 2026 and catching a lot of visitors off guard. Rio Vista Park in San Marcos — the primary put-in and take-out for Texas State Tubes and the most popular walk-in tubing spot on the San Marcos River — now charges a $5 per day non-local access fee on summer weekends and holidays (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend).

Who pays: Anyone without proof of San Marcos residency. Bring ID with a San Marcos address if you are a local.
When it applies: Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Weekdays in summer are free.
How to pay: Attendants at the entrance accept cash or card. Plan for cash just in case.
Scope: The fee applies only to Rio Vista Park access; other launch points are unaffected.

Avoid the fee: Book a shuttle package that uses a private put-in instead of Rio Vista, or float the Comal or Guadalupe instead.

Disposable Container Ban: What You Can and Cannot Bring

The Comal River's Can Ban is the strictest river rule in Texas, and enforcement in 2026 is aggressive. Fines run up to $500 per violation and New Braunfels police actively patrol put-ins and river stretches.

BANNED on the Comal

Aluminum cans
Glass bottles (banned on all rivers)
Styrofoam coolers or cups
Plastic baggies (Ziploc, sandwich bags)
Single-use plastic water bottles
Jello shots in plastic cups
Kegs

ALLOWED on the Comal

Reusable hard-sided coolers (non-styrofoam, 16 qt max)
Reusable plastic cups with lids (Yeti, Stanley, etc.)
Reusable water bottles
Food in reusable containers (hard plastic or metal)
One cooler per tube, securely attached

San Marcos and Guadalupe: Cans are allowed; glass is banned; coolers are allowed but size limits apply. The Guadalupe has a 5-container-per-person rule on busy weekends — check with your outfitter.

Book Now: Memorial Day Cutoffs

If you have read this far and you have not booked yet, do it today. Memorial Day Weekend 2026 is going to be one of the biggest weekends in recent memory.

Pick your river using the decision tree above.
Decide your day (Monday is objectively the best value).
Book transportation first — shuttle companies or a party bus for groups of 8+.
Book your outfitter next (tube rental, shuttle from their lot).
Confirm container rules for your river — don't show up with a styrofoam cooler on the Comal.
Pack the night before. Leave Austin early.

Memorial Day 2026 Tubing FAQ

Is river tubing open on Memorial Day weekend 2026 near Austin?

Yes. All three major rivers — San Marcos, Comal, and Guadalupe — are open and fully staffed for Memorial Day Weekend 2026 (May 22–25). Most outfitters transition to 7-day-a-week operations starting the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. Last rentals are typically at 4pm, so plan to be at the outfitter no later than 2pm to get a full float in before cutoff.

How much does tubing cost on Memorial Day weekend 2026?

Expect to pay roughly $23–$35 per person for a tube with shuttle in 2026. Texas State Tubes in San Marcos is $30 for a rental tube or $20 if you bring your own. Rockin' R River Rides on the Guadalupe and Comal charges $23 for tubing and $40 for rafting, with an additional $10 weekend parking fee May through August. Cooler tubes typically add $10–$15. Group rates are available but must be booked in advance.

What time does parking fill up on Memorial Day weekend?

On Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, parking typically fills by late morning, often before 11am, at Rio Vista Park and most private outfitter lots on the Comal and Guadalupe. Monday (the holiday itself) runs about 60–70% of Saturday volume, with parking filling closer to noon. Arrive before 10am for the best selection, or book a shuttle that handles parking for you.

Do I have to pay the new Rio Vista Park $5 fee?

Yes, if you are not a San Marcos resident. Starting in 2026, Rio Vista Park charges a $5-per-day non-local access fee on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. San Marcos residents with proof of address get in free. The fee is collected at the entrance and applies even if you only park briefly to put in. Bring cash or a card and budget for it on top of tube rental.

What should I bring for Memorial Day tubing?

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes or sturdy sandals with a heel strap, a hat, a waterproof phone pouch, at least one liter of drinking water per person in an approved reusable container, quick-dry clothes, a small reusable cooler if the river allows, cash for shuttles and tips, and a dry bag for keys and wallet. Leave glass, styrofoam, disposable plastic, and single-use containers at home — they are banned on the Comal and heavily enforced.

Can I bring beer or canned drinks on the river?

Rules vary by river. On the Comal River in New Braunfels, the disposable container ban is strictly enforced with fines up to $500 — no cans, no glass, no styrofoam, no plastic baggies, no single-use bottles. You must use reusable cups or a non-disposable cooler with resealable lids. On the San Marcos and Guadalupe, aluminum cans are generally allowed but glass is always prohibited. Alcohol is permitted for adults 21+, but every river prohibits kegs and jello shots.

Which river has the smallest crowds on Memorial Day weekend?

The Guadalupe River's upper stretches near Canyon Lake typically have the smallest Memorial Day crowds because flows are running low in 2026 (~60 cfs with Canyon Lake at 58.4% full). However, low flow also means a slower, more technical float. For a balance of open space and a reliable float, the San Marcos River on Monday is your best bet — 30–40% fewer people than Saturday with identical conditions.