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Coming to play in the San Marcos River?
We have a few rules to keep in mind when planning your visit.
Rio Vista Park
Rio Vista Park is a great place to put your kayak in and paddle upstream or go for a refreshing swim. It's not uncommon to see surfers in the rapids and sunbathers along the river banks. The San Marcos River is part of a delicate aquifer system, so please be mindful of what you do in and around its waters. This is also the point of pick-up for the Lions Club Tube shuttle. Bring your own tube or rent one from Lions Club upstream at City Park.
The amenities include restrooms, tennis courts, 1/2 basketball court, benches, a pavilion, the City swimming pool, hike/bike trails, and trash cans.
Rio Vista Park Entry Pass:
- Rio Vista Park Entry Passes are $5 per person for park visitors 18 and up. Children under 18 can enter the park for free.
- Passes are only required for weekends during the summer (Saturday and Sunday for regular weekends and Friday through Sunday during holiday weekends).
- This is an entry fee - NOT a parking pass.
- You can buy passes in advance HERE and use them for any weekend during the summer.
- Cash is NOT accepted - you can purchase online any time by card or at the Activity Center by cash or card. Please note that the Activity Center is not open on Sundays.
River & Park Tips:
- Remember, this is a natural-forming river. Children and inexperienced swimmers should wear life vests.
- Don’t litter! Bring a litter bag or use the mesh bag provided by the Lions Club. Trash cans are located along the banks of the river.
- Wear Sunscreen.
- Wear hats and/or sunglasses that you won't mind losing.
- Bring a waterproof pouch or zip-loc freezer bag for necessities. Recommendation: leave valuables in the car or at home/hotel room.
- Water shoes or athletic shoes are recommended. There may be rocks in some areas.
- Drink liquids to stay hydrated. No single use containers.
- Coolers and disposable containers are allowed on the San Marcos river. Please no styrofoam.
- Secure lids on all coolers.
- Designated access and exits points are located at City Park and Rio Vista for those who bring alcohol to consume while on the river.
- Please, no Styrofoam-type products in the river including coolers, ice chests, cups, plates, disposable containers, toys, floats, kickboards, rings or swim gear.
- Bring rope if you want to tie multiple tubes together.
- Alcohol on city owned dams, spillways and bridges is not allowed.
- Bring an ID, Credit Card or cash if you are renting a tube. Lions Club sells snacks and beverages at the beginning and end of their float.
Tubing Information
How much is it to float the river in San Marcos?
Tubing pricing depends on the outfitter you choose.
- Lions Club Tube Rental is $25 per tube (with unlimited shuttle), or if you bring your own tube the shuttle is $15 per person.
- Don's Fish Camp float pass is $30 per person or $19 if you bring your own tube. This includes the shuttle and parking.
- Texas State Tubes is $30 for tube rentals, $20 if you bring your own tube, $20 for military/students/teachers/first responders, $10 for children ages 7-12 (life jackets required), and free for ages 6 and under (life jackets required). This includes the shuttle.
Where do you go to float the San Marcos River?
Lions Club Tube Rental, Don's Fish Camp, and Texas State Tubes are the tubing outfitters for the San Marcos River. Lions Club Tube Rental floats through the middle of town and Don's Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes float the stretch of the river outside of town through Martindale.
How long is the San Marcos tubing?
Depending on the water levels in the San Marcos River, Lions Club Tube Rental float lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. Texas State Tubes and Don's Fish Camp are more like a three hour float.
San Marcos River Information
What kind of fish are in the San Marcos River?
Catfish, Rio Grande Perch, San Marcos Gambusia, Sunfish, Carp, Gar, and more!
Can we swim in the San Marcos River?
Yes, you can! Please stick to public access points. San Marcos riverfront parks include City Park, Plaza Park, Veramendi Plaza, Bicentennial Park, Children's Park, Rio Vista Park, Crook Park, Ramon Lucio Park, and Stokes Park.
What are the hours for the San Marcos River?
San Marcos riverfront parks are open from 6am-11pm unless posted otherwise.
Do I have to pay to go to the San Marcos River?
The answer is, it depends on the park and the time you'd like to go.
Rio Vista Park Entry Pass
- Rio Vista Park Entry Passes are $5 per person for park visitors 18 and up. Children can enter the park for free.
- Passes are only required for weekends during the summer (Saturday and Sunday for regular weekends and Friday through Sunday during holiday weekends).
- This is an entry fee - NOT a parking pass.
- You can buy passes in advance HERE and use them for any weekend during the summer.
- Cash is NOT accepted - you can purchase online any time by card or at the Activity Center by cash or card. Please note that the Activity Center is not open on Sundays.
City Park Paid Parking Lot
- The first 30 minutes are free, one hour parking is $5, parking for up to two hours is $10, and more than three hours, or all day, is $15. Holidays are a $25 flat fee.
- There is one cash accepting maching but it requires exact change.
- The parking lot is for park patrons only. You cannot leave the park to go to nearby Sewell Park on the Texas State University campus.
San Marcos residents do not have to pay for either the Rio Vista Park Entry Pass or for parking at City Park. HOWEVER, you must register in order not to have to pay those visitor fees. Register your car for City Park parking here and for Rio Vista here.
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