Texas State Tubes — Local services in San Marcos

I recently had the pleasure of going river tubing with Texas State Tubes in San Marcos, and I must say it was an absolutely fantastic experience! From start to finish, everything about this tubing adventure exceeded my expectations and left me with unforgettable memories.

First and foremost, the staff at Texas State Tubes was exceptional. They were friendly and knowledgeable. They provided clear instructions and safety guidelines, making me feel comfortable and well-prepared before embarking on the tubing journey.

The equipment provided by Texas State Tubes was top-notch. The tubes were comfortable and well-maintained, ensuring a smooth and relaxing ride down the river. They also offered additional amenities such as cooler tubes allowing us to bring along snacks and beverages to enjoy during the trip.

One of the highlights of tubing with Texas State Tubes was the shuttle service. They efficiently transported us back to the starting point in air conditioned school buses. And the wait for the shuttle was non-existant - they were prompt and all of the logistics were very organized.

Lastly, I cannot forget to mention the overall atmosphere created by Texas State Tubes. The vibe was lively and fun, with fellow tubers enjoying themselves and spreading positive energy throughout the trip.

I highly recommend Texas State Tubes to anyone looking for an exceptional river tubing experience in San Marcos. Their friendly staff, quality equipment, efficient shuttle service, and overall great atmosphere make them deserving of a solid 5-star rating. I can't wait to go tubing with them again and create more amazing memories...

This review is for the old folks (College age kids love it)... I'm 52, wife 46 and kids wanted us to go tubing with them.... I've been several times before on the Brazos and prior 5yrs or so ago in New Braunfels so that is my comparison. Now we all know these tubing adventures are many times a college aged power drinking session... But this experience was the worst.. #1. Texas State Tubes doesn't care if you are sitting on top of each other the entire trip down the river btw which was (4 to 4.5 hours)... WAY TOO LONG... Anyhow there was never one moment of separation from the masses... Odds are if you extended your arms out 90% of the route you would hit someone you don't know. #2. Never one moment were a beer can wasn't floating by or someones old food wrapper... I think the new Env conscious age is worse on litter than my generation was. #3. You pull in and pay before they tell you the primary parking lot is full and you have to drive 8 minutes away to destination side of the route and then Shuttle back on one of their school buses to launch ( So add an extra 45 minutes ez for this...) The only good thing is you don't have to shuttle back when done. #4. They don't clearly advertise how long the float is... I mean anything over 3 hours is WAY TOO LONG... and this was 4 for me and 4.5 for 2 others in my party simply due to congestion and crowds. #5. The river is no where near as clean as it use to be and maybe other locations still are, but honestly for the money i would just go back to the brazos or go look further for a more independent / lessor known place on the...

I initially thought the flow of the river would be slow and relaxing, but I underestimated its strength. While the scenery was pleasant, the reality was quite different. The current pushed me to the left side, and despite my efforts to maneuver the provided tube, I found myself stuck. After 30 minutes with everyone passing me by, I started to feel anxious.

I evaluated my options: Scenario 1 was to wait for someone to help me; Scenario 2 was to get off the tube and walk, which was challenging because of a slimy log that made my hands slippery; Scenario 3 was to simply get off the tube and walk, which I ultimately chose. But as I did, I suddenly felt the ground disappear beneath me, panic set in, and water rushed into my throat. That tube was heavy, and I struggled to get back on.

Fortunately, I managed to call for help, and two kind individuals stepped in. They told me to grab onto the tube while they helped me to safety. This experience highlighted the urgent need for better safety measures, such as having lifeguards stationed along the river or personnel who can swim. The current can be dangerous, and situations like mine should not happen.

It's unsettling to think about. Lifeguards and staff should be more proactive instead of just sitting idly by. Having someone actively monitoring the river would make a significant difference, especially for first-time visitors. This incident occurred on 06/11/2022. While the staff is generally nice, I now understand why people tie themselves together with rope—it's a precaution worth considering. The river's depth and current should never be...