A New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio gives you a nearby change of scene, with the Comal and Guadalupe rivers among the main draws. The drive follows I-35, and you can shape the day around river access or a stop in town.
- Route: I-35 from San Antonio toward New Braunfels.
- River access: public parks on the Comal and Guadalupe.
- River conditions and rules can affect access and activities.
How do you get from San Antonio to New Braunfels?
Drive north on I-35 from San Antonio to reach downtown New Braunfels. The drive is described as about 30 miles and 35–45 minutes; public transport between the cities is not a useful option, so plan on having a car.
From a two-star motel in San Antonio, follow I-35 north. Leave room in your plans for the drive, particularly if you are heading to a river access point beyond downtown.
Choose stops in town
Use downtown New Braunfels as a starting point, then decide whether river access or a separate stop is the focus of your day. The Comal and Guadalupe have different access locations, so choose the river first and head to the corresponding park.
For Comal River access, Prince Solms Park is at 100 Liebscher, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. On the Guadalupe, River Acres Park is at 501 Fair Lane, Cypress Bend Park is at 503 Peace Avenue, and Guadalupe River Turnaround is at 420 N. Elliot Knox Boulevard.
Cypress Bend Park has a gravel boat ramp and parking. River Acres Park has limited parking, and boats must be carried to the water. If the historic district is your main town stop, a Gruene Historic District day trip from San Antonio focuses on that area.
Seasonal river activities and access
River access in New Braunfels depends on flow conditions, park rules and the time of year. The City of New Braunfels says Comal River recreation is available at flows of 100–500 cfs; it advises extreme caution at 500–600 cfs and closes access temporarily at 600 cfs or above. Heavy rain and rising flow can also close public Comal access.
Comal River public-access parks are open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. At the City Tube Chute, lifeguards are on duty on weekends in May and daily from June to mid-August; they are not present after Labor Day. Enter and exit only at designated river-access parks, and do not enter the water near Comal Springs in Landa Park.
River rules prohibit glass and foam containers, disposable food and beverage containers, littering, and noise audible beyond 50 feet. Coolers are limited to one per person and 30 quarts or less.
Vessels longer than 18 feet are prohibited; on the Comal, each person is limited to two tubes, and canoes and kayaks cannot use the Last Tubers Exit on weekends and holidays.
On the Guadalupe, life jackets are required for children under 8 when flow is above 500 cfs and for everyone above 750 cfs. Tubing is prohibited above 1,000 cfs. The City’s river-operations page links to real-time flow information for both rivers, so check the official site before you go.
There is no access to the Comal River’s Last Public Exit on weekends and holidays from May 1 through October 1. For another river setting, a one-day San Antonio route from downtown to the River Walk keeps the day within the city.
A day-trip schedule that leaves room for the drive
Keep the itinerary flexible: choose a river and access point before leaving San Antonio, then make your town stop fit around the conditions. If the Comal is closed or running too high for your plans, the Guadalupe has separate access points and rules; check those conditions before setting out.
Guadalupe River State Park is another option for river access. It is open daily, with gate hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and recommends reserving day-use passes because it often reaches capacity.
Admission is $7 for adults, while children 12 and under enter free. Getting to the river requires a 2–3-mile downhill hike, or 4–6 miles round trip, so factor that into your plans.
Before you drive, confirm current river conditions and park access with the City of New Braunfels or the relevant park operator. That check matters after heavy rain and when your plan depends on a particular river entrance.
FAQs
How long is the drive from San Antonio to New Braunfels?
The drive is described as about 30 miles via I-35 and takes 35–45 minutes.
Where can you access the Comal River?
Prince Solms Park is a listed Comal River access location. Use designated river-access parks to enter and exit.
Can river access close because of weather?
Yes. Heavy rain and increased flow can temporarily close public access to the Comal River, and flow levels affect permitted recreation.
Do you need a pass for Guadalupe River State Park?
The park recommends reserving a day-use pass because it often reaches capacity. Daily admission is $7 for adults, and children 12 and under enter free.