Don’s Fish Camp

O mighty mighty Don! We’ve been coming to Don’s for close to 10 years now and it’s always been my favorite float in central Texas. The place has certainly picked up in popularity in recent years, but if you get there early enough, you are guaranteed to have a good time with little wait.
If you are a larger group, I would HIGHLY recommend renting the VIP bus! It will pick you up and drop you off in Austin (or San Antonio, I believe) for appx $ 50pp — totally worth not hassling with DDs and organizing cars, etc. Our driver, Lee, was absolutely amazing, super friendly and accommodating!

Don’s Fish Camp is responsible for over 90% of all the trash found in and along the once-​pristine San Marcos River. Don’s customers are often rude, loud, offensive, vulgar and always willing to trespass on private property at will. Don and his customers constantly undo all the hard work we paddlers have made over many years building friendly relationships with landowners along the river.
At least twice a flood has wiped out Don’t Fish Camp and we always hope it will never re-​open, but like a bad penny it just keeps coming back, and along with it comes a new supply of empty beer cans, food wrappers, dirty diapers, cigarette butts and anything else Don’s customers leave along the river. I am just waiting for a really big flood to get Don AND his «fish camp.» This place needs to close and never re-​open.

My girlfriends and I were in town for a «Girls Weekend». We did the VIP Shuttle, which picked us up at our home and drove us back for $ 55 a person with float tubes included! It was such a deal. Our driver, Garth, was the highlight for many of the girls. Not only was he handsome, he was a standup gentleman that whole time. He called 40 mins ahead to let us know he would be on time, and showed up 5 min early. This really helped me help heard all the cats as you know how it could be with 9 girls pre-partying…He helped us with our coolers and even helped us tie up our floats at the drop off location. He went above and beyond to make us all happy (including pulling out all the blue tubes as one girl had requested!). Garth made the river float an amazing experience for us all. I can’t wait to come back.

It’s crazy, slightly organized and if you don’t have your own tube, this is one option. The people working were helpful in explaining the chaos but the real fun is had when you are out on the water.

Love love love this place! I’ve been coming here for a good few years && it’s always a blast. It’s a pretty long tube ride so plenty of water, beer, and food are a must! There is a few places you can just hang out && eat without worrying if your gonna run into some bumpy part! Just be careful and don’t loose your keys… almost happened the last time I was there

I’m from Louisiana where tubing means a slow trudge down a muddy, shallow river. On the flip side, this river was blue and even had several areas of rapids. Don’s Fish Camp was easy to find and the service was top notch. The trip down this cool water will take you about three hours or so depending how often you stop.

I love me some tubing, and despite my dehydration getting the best of me later on, it was still a great experience. I thought the pay/​drive up/​parking situation was weird and not what I’d seen before, but I guess whatever works. We had brought styrofoam coolers which are a no no on the river so we obviously had to then rent the cooler for $ 10. I feel like the ride was much shorter than usual, but again that could just be due to the recent floods and faster moving water. I would go back because it’s not as packed as some of the other places, but I’m still not sure that it would be my first choice.

Don’s Fish Camp. What can I say. If you don’t have your own tube, and you don’t have a way to get into the river then this is probably your second best option behind Texas State Tubes.
We went on a Sunday morning so it was relatively empty. It’s my understanding that the floods earlier in the year really messed up the river.
Last year it was so much better, much more organized, buses were cleaner and ran faster and the people working there didn’t look miserable.
They have a new drop off point which is literally the worst. A gay couple broke up trying to get their stuff into the river. Let me repeat: Don’s Fish Camp made an otherwise wonderful couple BREAK UP due to the misery of trying to get you, your group, and your stuff into the river at their new drop off point.
Other than that, it was as you would expect. Underage drinking, cool water, rocks that slap your butt, and total freedom.

Awful customer service. $ 12 for a bus ride from a driver that just seemed miserable. Weekday and not too many people but we waited for a bus in the sun for over a half an hour. The guy next to us just stood drinking his rum out of a bottle. The girl who answered the phone said the bus came every 20 minutes, but really they probably count people and send the bus when there’s a busload of people. After the terrible road and no shade waiting for the bus, then when you arrive at the drop off to get into the river, there’s no stairs or decent path, just a slippery slope.
Apparently this place is great for drinkers and stoners but for families looking for service to tube the river, it’s just aggravating.

This place has been on the decline for a while, but this past weekend, it was at its worst. I will no longer go to this overpriced fly by night operation.
Pros:
it is a place you can float on a river
Cons:
You have to drive out a long dirt road that will send you in for a new alignment if you don’t have a truck or SUV
Packed full of 18 – 22 year old drunken bro dogs or whatever the kids are calling themselves
2+ hour waiting lines for the bus (you can just drive to the drop off, its hours faster)
Rude employees (a bus driver ran us off the road on exit. Though we had the right of way, the bus driver thought they were superior to traffic laws)
Bad bus rotation (there were easily 400 people in line for the bus, with 5 buses running)
Too expensive (for the crappy service, they could trim the price down)
No sort of security or anything for the huge crowds of drunken idiots. (This is why they want you to sign a non-​liability waiver, instead of being responsible)
My suggestion is if you want to float, don’t go to Don’s fish camp.

Heard decent things about this floating experience… but…
There is a complete lack of customer service. I keep trying to schedule a VIP shuttle (pay them to pick up group from home in bus, drive you to Don’s, and takes you home afterwards — awesome!) but cannot get ahold of anyone. In the last 2 weeks, I’ve submitted my info on their website 4 TIMES and left 2 MESSAGES at the front desk (with a call-​back promise of end of day from manager)… and still NOTHING. No quote, no contact, no call back, no email back, absolutely NOTHING.
Floating trip is scheduled in a few days so I’m more than frustrated. I called again today and the line has been busy for the past 2 hours. Seriously!!! Can’t even imagine how terrible the service could be when we get there. They have left SUCH a bad taste in my mouth.
At this point, I’ll probably switch to Rockin’ R in Gruene/​San Marcos… I’ve floated with them for 10+ years and never had a single bad experience.

Been Coming Here For Years! Always A Blast! Double Check The Weather Before Going! Bring A Big Group And Bring Twine To Tie Tour Tube To Others! Bring A Cooler With A Locking Lid! a
And A Cheap Backpack For Trash! Don’t Litter Keep This Place Looking Good!

Never had a problem here. Timely pickups. Fair pricing. Good variety of float travel times. Make sure and get the tube with the bottom cover or your butt will scrape against some rocks and/​or possible debris.

Great place to tube!
Went there once before and the river was too high to float. They refunded our entry fee. The antics of the college age kids made me think this wasn’t a good place for me, so I never came back until this weekend.
To my suprise, even on a holiday weekend, this was a very well run operation. Great float and great time.
The river was great. There was a heavy police and emergency responder presence due to a recent drowning. It kept the shenanigans to a minimum and kept the float enjoyable. Thanks, Don’s and San Marcos!!!

Great place to go tubing if you want to avoid the hassle of walking back to your car after baking in the sun for a few hours.
I went with some co-​workers for a team building event on a Friday. There were hardly any folks on the river besides running into a couple of groups who had set up camp along the bank. We floated for about 4 hours and once we got off, I was so thankful we didn’t have to go far to the car.
Basically, once you’re on site, you can park and take a shuttle to your tubing drop off point. Then you float until you arrive back at the Don’s Fish Camp site. Super convenient!
My tip:
This path doesn’t have much tree coverage so I recommend a hat and lots of sunscreen. I mean LOTS. Happy floating to all!

First time floating for me so I have nothing to compare to but from what I saw…
–They have a good system down.
–Moved a lot of people through in a short amount of time.
–San Marcos river is a good spot to be.

Take this from a girl who was formerly anti-​tubing, this tube ride is THE best! This part of the river is not nearly as narrow as the Comal and even more spacious it seems than other parts of the San Marcos River I’ve floated.
On a late Sunday afternoon, it was less busy than the drop off at the Lions Club and lots quitter. And it’s definitely way prettier. We saw baby turtles, Cardinals, and all sorts of pretty birds on this tube ride.
About three hours and xx ounces of beer in, I was really grateful that the bus ride for this trip happened at the beginning of the float and not at the end — when I was slightly sun-​burned and more than slightly buzzed.
On that note, pack some snacks for your cooler (in ziplocs or Tupperware) and sip a little water along the ride. ‘Cause it’s a long one! And if traffic was anything like it was on Sunday night, you’ll be sorry if you don’t.
Well worth my four hours and $ 10!

Bottom line up front: Don’s is by far the best for floatin’ in central Texas… and I have floated quite a few different rivers with different tube companies.
If you are heading south on the 35 from Austin, take exit 205, go east (left) under the overpass, and take the 80 east until you see signs for Don’s. There is a gas station you can cut through to get to the frontage road AKA NW River Rd. This is where Don’s final drive off shoots from (a right turn on Nelle Ln).
You’ll have to pay for parking — $ 5 per person, you’ll get your first wrist band. Here you will also sign a waiver while in the car.
Go park wherever — if you have a lot of coolers and gear, try parking closer to the lines to avoid carrying a ton of stuff… just remember the river is where you will be coming from at the end of the day, so maybe parking close to the river will work better.
The lines for getting tubes and gear may be long, don’t get disheartened, even in the longest line, I have never taken longer than 10 – 20 minutes between showing up and getting on the bus. It’s also the perfect time to start your drinking!
They pack the bus with people, tubes, and coolers, so hopefully you don’t mind going shoulder to shoulder to shoulder with sweaty people.
The bus drops you off at a little bridge where you will start your float!
Here are some reasons why I think the San Marcos River is the best:
–No anti-​beer-​can law
-«Shot Gun islands» all throughout
–The water is always flowing — the Guadalupe (for example) sometimes is so low and slow you have to walk… not the case for the San Marcos. There are even some rapid-​ish areas that are fun — hold that cooler tight!
–Even with steady current, the float will be around 3 hours, plenty of time to get through that 24 pack of Lonestar Talls you were worried about not finishing
–Everyone has always been really cool and nice here
–About halfway through the float, there is a big shot gun island after a little rapid/​waterfall area where kids and their parents will collect all your empty cans
Tips:
–If you didn’t get beer or remembered you need something, there’s a Walmart as soon as you get on the 80 from the 35.
–Water socks or hiking slippers are highly recommended… especially with things like jagged beer cans and glass possibly just below you
–Sunglass floaties or «Croakies» are a must. I’ve found pairs of Oakleys and Michael Kors by just reaching into the water.
–Buy a waterproof box — $ 25, worth every penny — you will be a superhero when everyone gets to have their phone, camera, and wallet with them. Tie this off.
–Remember to grab at least one mesh garbage bag per person or you will be the lone garbage man or woman
–Bring nylon rope, precut into 4ft lengths — minimum of two per person (trust me, this will save a lot of hassle for tying off to one another and strapping down the cooler)
–Bring sun screen — although you may have a solid tan and wont burn, that doesnt mean your dumb albino friend didn’t think ahead
–If you’re thinking about bringing a super heavy floating stereo, there will be plenty of people with them floating the river
–Hold someone’s hand when you pee, they don’t know you’re going, and its funny to tell them at the end of the day you did it 5 times over the course of the trip
–Marshmallow wars are fun :)
–Salt Lick isn’t too far off
Happy floating!

Don’s Fish Camp is not a fish camp. Don’s is the reason I love summer. Don’s is the reason I have this permanent tan. Don’s is by far my favorite place to float.
Why it’s so great:
–It’s very accessible from Austin, the river is feels great and flows nicely, shotgun island is always bumpin.
–The bus takes you to the start so that you end the trip at your car, this means you never have to sit on a school bus in a wet swimsuit.
— The tubes are fun, bright colors and not the painfully hot black ones.
Tips:
— The line can get real long so get your act together and arrive before noon.
–They do take credit cards now, welcome to the future Don!
— They sell great last minute items like ice, rope, and koozies. You can even rent a radio cooler from them and be the coolest guy on the river.
Warnings:
— The road to paradise is a rough one, I recommend driving your tank here.
— $ 5/​person just to park, it makes me sad that they don’t reward carpooling.

I can not love on Don’s Fish Camp enough!
I love checking out the reaction (s) of my friends when I bring them here for the first time. They seem to be having a good trip up to Don’s…until we turn on the dirt road, then they get confused. And without fail, someone makes a «you sure do got a purdy mouth, boy» joke followed by a «why do I care if the children that play here are slow or not» but I digress.
$ 5 per person gets you parking (regardless of if you carpool or not) and be sure to come up with a fun theme for the fake names you all sign on the waver with. Park where ya like and strip down to your swimsuits. Drag those coolers up the hill and get in line to get your toobs then get in line for your bus ride.
Float the wonderful ride (with NO restricted container laws) back to the car and be sure to stop at every shotgun island along the way. Depending on how much time you have, re-ride’s are only $ 5!
So go, go check it out NOW! Last time we went, it was on a Thursday and we had our own bus when riding to the drop-​off point and pretty much felt as tho we had the entire river to ourselves. Paradise.

I’ve been putting off this review for several years because I didn’t want the secret to get out. This is the best float in the area, hands down… and with all the new rules for those «other» river toobing locations, it seems the secret is officially out.
Bring your friends, bring your beer and be ready to sit back and chill. We usually get there around noon and try to make it to the river before the big crowds. But sometimes you just want to pull your toob over to the side, turn up your music and start a party in the middle of the river with all the other groups. Everyone’s welcome!
Enjoyed their recent crawfish boil at the end of our last float. That was a nice added touch. As others mention, it’s a $ 5 entry per person upon driving in… some seem upset by this, but it’s the exact same amount you’d pay for bus service at any of the other locations. Cash only though at the entrance, they take cards at the main station where you rent everything else.