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Tubing the San Marcos River!
Ideal Tubing River
Son's Blue River Camp is located on the gorgeous and family friendly San Marcos River near Fentress, TX! This part of the river is ideal for tubing as there are no dangerous dams or rapids and the river flows at a nice pace allowing you to float with little to no paddling!
Family Friendly Tubing
This section of the River is also ideal for families. You won't find the college scene here. Instead, floaters will find a beautiful blue river, outlined with majestic cypress and pecan trees which creates a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable float. And since the San Marcos River is spring-fed, the river flows nice all summer long and doesn't dry up or slow down like the Guadalupe and Frio Rivers do.
Convenient Shuttle
With a newly purchased private property upriver from Son's Blue River Camp, tubers enjoy a conveniently short 8 minute shuttle up river to float back down to their car or Riverside Cabana. The float takes approx. 2 - 3 hours and is very enjoyable.
No Reservations Needed for Tubing & Kayaking
Reservations are not required for tubing or kayaking but are required for Cabana & Picnic table rentals as well as All-Inclusive Camping.
Warnings & Precautions:
IMPORTANT: THE SAN MARCOS RIVER IS A NATURAL BODY OF WATER WITH UNTREATED WATER WHICH MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DEPTH OR SEE SUBMERGED OBJECTS. AS WITH ANY NATURAL WATER BODY, YOU SHOULD USE CAUTION WHILE ENTERING AND ENJOYING THE WATER. RENTING WATERCRAFT, KAYAKING, TUBING, SWIMMING AND THE ASSOCIATED SHUTTLING SERVICES ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES AND CAN RESULT IN LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, PERMANENT DISABILITY OR DEATH.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE MINORS IN YOUR GROUP. THE SAN MARCOS RIVER HAS NO LIFEGUARDS.
VERY IMPORTANT!
You will be on your own, use caution, think safety first! Son’s Blue River Camp is not responsible for the water level or any obstructions, snakes or hazards that may be present on the tubing or kayaking route. You will be asked to sign a waiver and release of liability for yourself and anyone else in your group. Be sure to make a “Float Plan”, tell your friends and family where you are going and how long you will be gone. It is highly recommended that you always go tubing with 2 or more people to keep an eye on each other and act as a “buddy system” in case help is needed. A responsible adult should monitor weak swimmers and children at all times. Guests should avoid trees and vegetation to minimize the risk of getting stuck by falling tree limbs, entangled in vegetation, or bit by snakes or wildlife.
Age Limit
We do not rent tubes or kayaks to children 3 years and younger. The age limit may be increased if the river is flowing at level that is higher than normal. Minors MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Life jackets / PFDs
We encourage all minors 13 and under, and weak swimmers, to wear Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets) at all times when in or near the water. Life jackets/PFDs are available at no charge. Adults must have PFDs at hand when while kayaking.
Concerning Medical Conditions
Blue River Camp has made no effort to determine, and accepts no responsibility for, medical, physical or other qualifications or the suitability of any guest for tubing/ kayaking and other recreational activities. Each guest must assess their own suitability for tubing/ kayaking and other recreational activities and recognize their own and the minor/s in their groups limitations. People with medical conditions should consult their doctor before going tubing, kayaking and enjoying the river as these activities can be strenuous on certain individuals with medical conditions.
If you need to take your medications with you, be sure and pack them in a water proof or water tight container or a zip-lock bag, and then secure them in a safe place so you can take them at the proper intervals as prescribed by your Doctor. Before getting on the river, please inform your family members and/or friends about your medical condition so if something should happen to you, they will be ready to take charge and act quickly in case of an emergency!
Weather Conditions
You are responsible for monitoring the water and weather conditions at all times to avoid the risk of being struck by lightning or caught in a flood. Sometimes a significant amount of rainfall will make the San Marcos no longer safe for tubing, kayaking and recreational use. Heavy rainfall in the Blanco and Wimberley areas flows downstream and will effect the San Marcos River after many hours or even a day delay. Be sure you are aware of past rainfall amounts as well as future. Gauge heights and water volume can be checked and monitored on the National Weather Service Websites. It is a good idea to check the Local Forecast for any drastic changes in weather conditions before embarking on the river. ***Our staff reserves the right to refuse service due to weather conditions***
Containers and Coolers
GLASS CONTAINERS or STYROFOAM COOLERS and PRODUCTS are NOT ALLOWED on the San Marcos River BY LAW and will be confiscated, with possible arrest(s) and fines up to $500. Coolers and ice chests may be checked for glass and or Styrofoam at any time by Son's Blue River Camp staff or on the river by Law Enforcement Officials.
Tips & Advice
Footwear
TENNIS SHOES, AQUA-SHOES, RIVER SANDALS with Straps or other “secure footwear” are needed to protect your feet against sharp objects, cuts, scrapes, bruises and the rocky and often slippery river bottom while walking to and from the entry/exit points for tubing on the San Marcos River.
NOTE: Flip Flops are not recommended for river tubing as they slip and slide easily when wet or muddy and offer very little protection for your feet. They also slip off your feet easily and float away before you can retrieve them, leaving you with bare and unprotected feet!
Sun Protection
SUN BLOCK or SUN SCREEN should be applied both BEFORE and DURING each float trip or any time you are in the sun for extended periods. It’s a good idea to bring a white short sleeve T-shirt and put it on if you begin to sunburn. We also sell sun block if you forget yours. A CAP, HAT or VISOR and SUNGLASSES will help shield your face, eyes and head from the rays of the hot Texas sun.
Drink plenty of water
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER while tubing the San Marcos River to help prevent dehydration. Son's Blue River Camp has bottled water for sale if you forget yours!
Do not take your car keys or other valuables on the River!
DO NOT TAKE ANY VALUABLES INCLUDING OR CAR KEYS ON THE RIVER, most items sink and are never found! Leave and place ,keys, jewelry and other valuables in a safe place! Many people have lost wedding rings as fingers tend to shrink after being in the water for awhile, allowing ring(s) to slip off fingers into the river, never to be found again. We urge you to side with caution and do not wear any jewelry while tubing!
Secure your eyewear to your head
ATTACH AND SECURE PRESCRIPTION EYE GLASSES, EYEWEAR and SUNGLASSES to your face, head or body while tubing. Anyone wearing glasses should have a headband, neckband or float bobber of some sort, preferably the floating type that attaches to each arm or stem of your glasses to prevent your eyeglasses from falling off your face and sinking into the river should you flip your tube over. We suggest you bring your own float bobber with you for your eyeglasses. However, if you forget, Blue River Camp should have some in stock for sale.
Concerning private property on the river
Rope swings, bridges, trees and cliffs line the banks of the San Marcos River on “PRIVATE PROPERTY” and cross the San Marcos River at various points. Many people see these interesting points and immediately want to jump, dive or swing into the river. And in their excitement, they fail to check below for shallow water, large underlying rocks or other hazards.
Serious injuries and death have occurred because these individuals failed to exercise caution and check things out first. Please check all areas BELOW before diving or jumping into unfamiliar waters. Even after checking below, it is very difficult for the average individual to determine “for certain” that the water below is deep enough to safely dive or jump into, or that objects are far enough away from the point of impact to clear them safely. And it is nearly impossible for anyone who has been drinking alcohol to judge things in this situation.
We recommend to our customers to bypass or avoid any of these high-risk ventures for their own safety. We urge everyone to use their common sense in this matter and again, please do not trespass on private properties. Violators can be fined up to $500.