You're driving 45 minutes south of Austin for a day of tubing on the San Marcos River. Here's the packing list that'll keep you from making a Walgreens stop in Kingsbury.
Wear / bring on your body
- Swimsuit + a quick-dry shirt (UPF if you can) — the spring water is 72° and you'll be in it 4-6 hours.
- Water shoes or strapped sandals — not flip-flops. You'll lose them in the first rapid.
- Hat with a chin strap.
- Sunglasses with a strap (croakies). Trust us.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
The cooler (if you want one)
- Soft cooler that floats — buy a separate cooler tube or rent one with your wristband
- Cans, pouches or plastic bottles only — no glass
- Pre-packed snacks: jerky, fruit, sandwiches
- Way more water than you think you'll drink
- A trash bag — pack out what you bring in
In the car for after
- Dry clothes + towel
- Garbage bag for wet stuff
- Phone charger for the drive home
- Cash for the shuttle tip (recommended)
Skip these
- Glass bottles — not allowed on the river
- Bluetooth speakers — water kills them and your neighbors will thank you
- Expensive sunglasses — bring the cheap ones
- Drone — fine on property, weird on the float
Optional upgrades
Book a cabana as your shaded home base, or stay overnight in a glamping cabin so you don't have to pack everything in and out the same day.