The Comal River is the shortest navigable river in the state of Texas in the United States. Proclaimed the 'longest shortest river in the world' by locals, it runs entirely within the New Braunfels city limits of New Braunfels in southeast Comal County. It is a tributary of the Guadalupe River. The Comal begins at Comal Springs in Landa Park and flows 2.5 miles (4 km) until its junction with the Guadalupe.

The Comal was originally called the Guadalupe in early Spanish accounts. After Spaniard Pedro de Rivera y Villalon identified the longer river as the Guadalupe in 1727, the Comal was given its current name. The name means basin or flat dish in Spanish.

Historically the Comal was used to power watermills and cotton gins by early German settlers, and later to provide hydroelectric power. The Comal River is primarily used for water recreation today, being the location of the original Schlitterbahn water amusement park and very popular for river tubing. The water is administered by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority.

The Comal River is also one of only two rivers to host the fountain darter, a fish now in danger of extinction. The only other river inhabited by the darter is the nearby San Marcos River.

Mild currents, clear water, and a host of treasures left behind by tubers make the river an ideal local for scuba diving. Because the Comal River maintains a temperature of approximately 72 degrees year round, scuba divers are present in both the summer and the winter. Thousands of people from all walks of life tube down the Comal River in the spring & summer to enjoy the river's natural beauty. Tubing on the Comal provides a less intense alternative to tubing on the Guadalupe, where one may encounter frequent rapids and boulders to paddle around.

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This is the current set of river rules from New Braunfels.
View the full size River Rules image.



Comal Rockin' R provides you with all the necessities you'll need for a day on the Comal River. The Comal River is crystal clear and magnificent, and Comal Rockin' R wants to help keep it that way. Comal Rockin' R doesn't make the rules for the Comal River, but Comal Rockin' R does want all of its customers to be aware of them and keep the Comal River beautiful and clean all season. The rules are also enforced by the New Braunfels Police Department, so it's good to know them before heading out on the Comal River from Comal Rockin' R.

Comal County:

No matter where you are in Comal County, glass and Styrofoam are prohibited on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, right along with littering. Be respectful of the Comal River, there are fish and other animals that call it home.

New Braunfels city limits:

If you are tubing within the New Braunfels city limits on the Comal River, there is a limit of two tubes per person on the Comal River, and inflatable flotation devices can not exceed a five foot diameter, or width at the narrowest point. There also can not be any vessels exceeding an 18 foot length on the Comal River, and canoes and kayaks can not use the Last Tubers Exit on weekends, or holidays.

The largest size cooler allowed on the Comal River is 16 quarts, and is limited to one per person, and must have a way to lock on the lid, such as a zipper, latch, or cord. Containers under 5 fluid ounces and volume drinking devices are not permitted on the Comal River.

You can bring music and noise with you, but they may not be audible beyond 50 feet. Having fun is not against the rules, but jumping from bridges, dams, or trees is. These can be very dangerous, and can cause injury or death to yourself or even others.

In River Acres, Last Tubers Exit, Cypress Bend Park, Hinman Island, and Prince Solms Park, alcohol is not allowed. Comal Rockin' R would also like to remind everyone that you must be 21 years of age to legally consume alcohol, and all federal and state laws still apply.

If you are unsure if something is allowed on the Comal River or not, don't hesitate to ask Comal Rockin' R.