Ultimate Guide to Frio River Tubing in Texas
Are you looking for something fun and exciting to do in Texas during the summer? Well, Frio River tubing should be at the top of your list!
We love going tubing and we have a goal to float all of the best rivers in the United States. That’s what brought us to the Frio River in Texas, and we’ve learned all of the ins and outs to make tubing the Frio River the best float trip ever.
We do realize that there are a lot of logistics that go into planning a float trip and there’s lots to know if you’ve never been on a float trip before at all. That’s why we’re going to give you everything you need to know to plan the perfect Frio River float.
So pack up your gear and get ready to find out how to float the Frio River in Texas!
Where is the Frio River?
The Frio River is a river in Texas and flows through Garner State Park in Uvalde County which is the heart of Texas Hill Country. Parts of the Frio River TX also run through Frio counties, northeastern LaSalle County, northern McMullen County, and northwestern Live Oak County until it reaches its mouth on the Nueces River.
Concan, Texas is going to be the most popular part of the river to float with the most outfitters and the most accessible legal access points like The Landing.
How to Go Frio River Tubing
Frio River Rentals
There are a bunch of outfitters located in and around Concan that offer a Frio River rental. Opting for a rental is a great option if you don’t own a tube or kayak and want the stress of finding an access point taken off of you. An outfitter can make tubing on the Frio River a breeze!
The three most popular outfitters that offer Frio River tube rentals are:
- Josh’s Frio River Outfitter
- Andy’s on River Road
- Happy Hollow Frio River Outfitters
All three also have kayaks available to rent as well as shuttle options for when you float the Frio River TX.
Bring Your Own Tube
If you have your own tube, then you will have some more involved planning to do before you go. You will need to find legal access points and parking as well as have two cars available.
First, you will drop off your tubes, coolers, and other river necessities at the access point. Then two members of your group will need to drive to the pickup point in order to drop off a vehicle there. Lastly, those two members of the group will drive the other car back to the access point where it will be left until the end of your float trip.
Legal access points in Texas are anywhere bridges cross a navigable river. The best access points for Frio River Concan TX include:
- County Road crossing near Kent at 0.0 miles
- US Highway 83 bridge at 10.0 miles
- Bridge on FM 337 east of Leakey at 12.0 miles
- Bridge off of FM 1120 southeast of Leakey at 14.0 miles
- FM 1120 crossing west of Rio Frio at 18.0 miles
- Bridge off FM 1050 at 20.0 miles
- Garner State Park on the river’s left at 21.5 miles
- Magers Crossing at 23.0 miles
- Third River Road Crossing on County Road 348 at 26.5 miles
- Second River Road Crossing at 28.5 miles
- Neal’s Lodge Campground on the river’s right just above Highway 127 crossing southeast of Concan at 31.0 miles.
Kayaking the Frio River
Kayaking is a great way to float the Rio Frio Texas. It gives you freedom and flexibility to explore the river. This makes kayaking a favorite mode of floating for many people.
While most outfitters offer kayak rentals, it can become quite expensive renting. It can cost anywhere from $45-$100 for the day, so you might consider buying a kayak before your trip.
If you already own your own kayak, then you will go about Frio River kayaking the same as tubing the Frio River. You will again need to find legal access points and parking in addition to having two cars to park at the beginning and end of your float trip.
Another popular option for Frio River kayaking is to rent a kayak by the hour at Garner State Park. They also have stand-up paddle boards and floating islands that you can rent out to just lay and relax in while the kids play.
Where to Stay When Floating the Frio River
Wherever you go floating, it is always nice to spend the night in the area since you’ll definitely be tired by the end of the day.
There are three great options when it comes to staying overnight near the Frio River and whichever you choose depends on how much you want to be one with nature.
You could go for a resort option if you want to just sit back and relax with all of the comforts of home. Renting a cabin is also an option that leaves you with some comforts, but still leaves you with a little more seclusion.
And finally, if you want to get the real float trip experience, you can camp at one of the many campgrounds that are situated around the river.
Frio River Cabins
The most popular Frio River cabins will be in or around the Concan and Leakey areas. Most cabin rentals will also only be a few miles away from the outfitters, so finding an awesome cabin right on the river is totally doable making it a convenient stay.
Here are our top three favorite Frio River cabin options:
Who doesn’t love an A-Frame cabin? This rental has all of the charm you could possibly ask for as well as the convenience of being super close to Garner State Park.
We also absolutely loved that this cabin is located on 20 acres of wooded property, so it gave us a real sense of privacy and a closeness to nature that you’d want from a cabin getaway.
Float trips are always better with the company of a big group of friends! We really like this Leakey River Rental because it’s just a walk away from the river and it sleeps up to 12 so the whole group can hang out in the same cabin together.
Private River Access Cabin with Views
If you prefer a relaxing getaway where you can sit back and enjoy the views, then this spacious cabin is for you! This cabin is known for its beautiful sunset views of the Frio River from the deck patio because it’s perfectly positioned on top of a hill with private river frontage for the property.
Frio River Camping
Camping is what really makes a float trip a float trip to remember. Whether you are Frio River RV camping or Frio River tent camping, the camping option can make floating that much more convenient because oftentimes you can camp at the outfitter that you chose to float with.
If you can’t camp at the outfitter of your choice or you rather camp elsewhere, there are plenty of other options like at the surrounding parks or campsites. We’ve listed three of our preferred campsites for tubing on the Frio River.
- Garner State Park – When you are looking to float on the Frio River, all roads will seem to lead to Garner State Park. This state park is pretty synonymous with a Frio River float trip and offers floating rentals as well as camping and other activities within the state park.
- Camp Riverview– Camp Riverview is a perfect place to float due to it having easy Frio River access. There are two popular float trips available at this campsite. One float trip starts at Camp Riverview, and the other float trip ends there. This campsite also has rental equipment as well as numerous other amenities to make it an enjoyable camping experience!
- Zubers River Camp on the Frio River – Zubers River Camp is located in the hill country of Concan right on the Frio River. This location has allowed for the perfect access point for tubing Frio River for over the last 50 years!
Frio River Resorts
If camping isn’t really your thing, you can opt for a Concan Texas Frio River resort instead. A Frio River resort will offer way more amenities and luxurious lodging options that will give you all of the comforts of home while still getting your float trip experience in.
- Frio Country Resort – Frio Country Resort is situated on more than 30 acres of land along the Frio River at Kenneth Arthur Crossing. This country resort has everything from vacation homes to cabin rentals to RV sites all within walking distance of the Frio River.
- Frio River Resorts – If you are looking for the finest vacation homes, lodges, and rentals in Concan then Frio River Resorts is the place to stay at! The Frio River Resorts has a wide range of properties that have anything you could possibly want in a rental. All of the properties at Frio River Resorts have some sort of Frio River access.
- River Rim Resort – River Rim Resort is a family-friendly and also pet-friendly resort in the Texas Hill Country. The River Rim Resort has amazing private river access in addition to a picturesque swimming pool complex. This resort is open year-round and is perfect for any kind of trip like a romantic getaway or even a large gathering!
What to Bring Frio River Floating
It is definitely best to be over-prepared rather than underprepared when you go on a float trip. You will want to pack all of the float trip essentials to help you traverse the Frio River Texas, beat the heat, and keep your energy up so you can have the best possible float trip.
- Clothes: Be sure to pack loose, light-fitting clothes that can dry quickly. A swimsuit, a change of clothes, shorts/tank top, river shoes, and a sun shirt are all clothes you will want to have with you. Quality river shoes are also a must on the Frio River due to the rock bottom!
- Food: You will want to keep your energy up, but not feel weighed down by what you eat on the river. The easiest float trip foods include sandwiches, chips, trail mix, fruit, and water/beverages of your choice.
- Accessories: Sun protection is a necessity when you are on the river since you will be in the sun all day, so be sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. You will also want a beach towel, dry bag backpack, waterproof speaker, bug spray, waterproof phone pouch, and drink koozies.
- Equipment: The main elements of your float trip will be your equipment. Pick either a canoe, kayak, or in this particular case a tube to float in. You will also need cup holders, oars, a cooler/backpack, and life jackets.
When to Go Frio River Tubing
The best time of year to float the Frio River is definitely the summertime! The Frio River typically keeps a temperature of around 68° F due to it being a spring-fed river.
The name ‘Frio’ is even Spanish for ‘cold’, so you will want to take advantage of the cool water in the summer season, usually around June to August.
The months right before June and right after August can offer some pretty great temperatures for floating too though. These months can also be great options for those who rather avoid the peak summer crowds and heat.
Otherwise, any other season is usually too chilly to make floating and swimming in the Frio River enjoyable.
Other Things to Do Near the Frio River
Even though Concan, Texas is a small community within Uvalde County, the area is actually packed with fun-filled activities. Concan is a popular destination in the summer for not only the Frio River but the unique tours and experiences that the area has to offer.
The area around the Concan TX Frio River will leave you with arguably too much to do after Frio tubing!
- Explore Garner State Park – Besides having the easiest access to the Frio River, Garner State Park offers miles of hiking trails and camping options. This park also has a bunch of fun traditions like the summer dances that occur every summer evening!
- Tour the caves with a Frio Bat Flight Tour – Frio Cave near Concan, Texas is home to the second largest bat population in the world that is open to the public! Every year 10 to 12 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats ascend into the evening sky right before sunset at the Frio Cave.
- Go horseback riding at Elm Creek Stables – Elm Creek Stables is a horse riding facility in Concan, Texas where you can experience pony rides, trail rides, and a petting zoo. All proceeds from the stable supports the Frio Canyon Horse Rescue!
- Take in nature at Hill Country Adventures – Hill Country Adventures is a world-class birding and wildlife viewing destination! Hill Country’s tours give you one of the best opportunities to see animal species native to the area and beautiful views of the surrounding rivers.
- Lost Maples State Natural Area – The Lost Maples State Natural Area protects a special strand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. Most people come to see the autumn colors on the trees in the fall, but the park has more than the trees to offer. Lost Maples is also known for hiking, fishing, camping, stargazing, and more.
Wrap-Up: Frio River Tubing
The Frio River in Texas is one of the prettiest rivers that you can float in all of the United States. With its crystal clear waters, gorgeous scenery, and crisp waters, you are bound to have a wonderful time.
We hope this guide helped you plan your Frio River Texas tubing adventure!
