--- title: "What to Pack for a Texas River Trip | Tubing List" description: "Complete packing list for a Texas river trip — tubing, kayaking, day floats and overnight cabins. Tested gear, what to skip, and the no-glass rule." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LodgingBusiness", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "alternateName": [ "Sons Blue River Camp", "Blue River Camp", "Son's Blue River" ], "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com/", "logo": "https://bluerivercamp.com/favicon-192x192.png", "image": "https://bluerivercamp.com/og-image.png", "telephone": "+1-(877) 577-7667", "priceRange": "$$", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "2769 Sherrill Rd", "addressLocality": "Kingsbury", "addressRegion": "TX", "postalCode": "78638", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 29.72751, "longitude": -97.76306 }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Getaways", "url": "https://sonsgetaways.com" }, "sameAs": [ "https://sonsriverranch.com", "https://sonsgetaways.com", "https://www.facebook.com/sonsblueriver", "https://www.instagram.com/sonsblueriver" ], "amenityFeature": [ { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Air-conditioned glamping cabins", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Spring-fed San Marcos River access", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Private riverside cabanas", "value": true }, { "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "On-site tubing and kayaking", "value": true } ] }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "What to Pack for a Texas River Trip: The Complete Checklist", "image": "/assets/float-the-river-family-jGO61dtS.webp", "datePublished": "2026-05-09", "dateModified": "2026-05-09", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Blue River Camp", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bluerivercamp.com/og-image.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog/what-to-pack-texas-river-trip", "description": "What to bring (and skip) for tubing, kayaking, and overnight Texas river trips." }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "What to Pack Texas River Trip", "item": "https://bluerivercamp.com/blog/what-to-pack-texas-river-trip" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I bring glass on Texas rivers?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Glass is banned on every major Texas river — Comal, Guadalupe, San Marcos, Frio. Aluminum cans only." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need river shoes?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Limestone is grippy but sharp. Closed-toe water shoes or strap sandals — no flip-flops." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What about phones?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Bring a waterproof phone pouch with a lanyard. Floating ones are ideal." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a life jacket?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Required for kids under 12. Recommended for non-swimmers of any age." } } ] } ] ] --- [🎉 $29.99 Tubing & Kayaking Today at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! 🎉 $29.99 Tubing & Kayaking Today at Son's River Ranch! — BOOK NOW! ](https://sonsriverranch.com/book-now) [![Son's Blue River Camp](/assets/logo-transparent-CYNVRjE4.webp)](/) [Stay Overnight](/stay-overnight) [Day Rentals](/day-rentals) [Tubing & Kayaking](/day-rentals#tubing-kayaking) [Property Map](/property-map) [Plan Your Visit](/plan-your-visit) [About](/about) [Specials](/specials) [Contact](/contact)[(877) 577-7667](tel:+18775777667)Book Now Book Now ![What to pack for a Texas river trip — tubing the San Marcos](/assets/float-the-river-family-jGO61dtS.webp) [Back to Blog](/blog) # What to Pack for a Texas River Trip: The Complete Checklist May 9, 2026 14 min read A Texas river trip is gear-light but rule-strict. Forget your river shoes and the limestone reminds you. Bring glass and you'll lose your wristband. After running thousands of floats at [Son's Blue River Camp](/) on the San Marcos, here's the list that actually matters — for day floats, overnight cabins, and tent camping alike. ## The Day Float — Essentials - Swimsuit (the one you're wearing) - River shoes (closed-toe or strap) - Reef-safe sunscreen - Polarized sunglasses with strap or croakies - Hat with chin strap - Phone in waterproof pouch with lanyard - Reusable water bottle - Aluminum cans only — no glass - Snacks in a small dry bag - Cash for shuttle tip ![Tubing snacks and packing for Texas river trip](/assets/gallery-tubing-picnic-DL61_6gD.webp) ## The Day Float — Nice to Haves - Cooler tube (rentals available) - Floating bluetooth speaker (kept low) - Small dry bag for keys - Lip balm with SPF - Quick-dry towel for the shuttle - Cover-up for the drive home ## What to Skip Flip-flops (they'll be at the bottom of the river by mile 1). Glass anything. Loose paperbacks. Big speakers. Pool toys. Drone (banned over property). Cotton t-shirts in summer (they stay wet, get heavy, chafe). ## Test Your Pack List on the River Spring-fed San Marcos River. Day pass or overnight cabin. Try the list. [Day Pass](/day-rentals)[Book Stay](/book-now/blue-river-camp-overnight) ## Overnight Cabin — Add These - Two swimsuits per person - Pajamas - Toiletries (most cabins stock the basics) - Light layers for AC - Marshmallows + skewers + chocolate + grahams - Cooler with ice (or buy on-site) - Coffee for the morning - Card games ## Tent Camping — Add These - Tent + footprint - Sleeping pad - Sleeping bag (40°F summer, 30°F fall) - Pillow - Headlamp + spare batteries - Camp stove + fuel - Cookware + utensils - Camp chairs - Trash bags - Bug spray for sunset ![Friends packed for Texas river trip](/assets/gallery-friends-tubes-DFUeVXhY.webp)![River beach for Texas river trip packing](/assets/river-beach-property-DimfzXs_.webp) ## Kids Add-On - Coast-Guard-approved life jacket - Spare swimsuit per kid - Goggles - Snacks every 90 minutes - Wet-bag for soaked clothes - Wipes - Stuffed animal for the cabin - Bandaids in waterproof pouch ## Pet Add-On Pet life jacket, leash, water bowl, food, towel, and a copy of vaccination records. Pet-friendly cabins available with deposit. ## The No-Glass Rule Texas river law and property policy: no glass on any river or shoreline. Wine? Decant into a hard plastic bottle before you leave home. Beer? Cans only. Hot sauce? Decant. Rangers and shuttle drivers do check. ## Sun Strategy Sunscreen at home before you arrive. Reapply at every shuttle stop. Wear a rash guard for long float days — saves your shoulders. Wide-brim hat over a baseball cap any day. ## FAQ ### Are tubes provided? Yes — included with the unlimited tubing wristband at Son's Blue River Camp. ### Can I bring my own tube? Yes — discounted BYO option available. ### Where do I store dry stuff during the float? Lockers near the put-in or in your cabin/cabana. ## Use the List, Float the River Spring-fed San Marcos. Day pass or overnight cabin. [Day Pass](/day-rentals)[Book Stay](/book-now/blue-river-camp-overnight) ### Related reading - [Tubing near Austin](/blog/tubing-near-austin) - [Kayaking near Austin](/blog/kayaking-near-austin) - [Camping near Austin](/blog/camping-near-austin) - [Best Hill Country rivers for families](/blog/best-hill-country-rivers-families) ![Son's Blue River Camp](/assets/logo-transparent-CYNVRjE4.webp) 8 acres of family-friendly river paradise on the San Marcos River. Float, grill, relax — then fall asleep to the sound of the river. 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