Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, Texas

If your idea of a Texas summer includes floating rivers, water slides, and enough splash-filled fun to wear out even the most energetic kids, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels deserves a spot on your travel list. Nestled along the Comal River in the Texas Hill Country, this sprawling waterpark combines thrilling rides, relaxing river adventures, and family-friendly attractions spread across multiple sections of the park. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a full vacation, Schlitterbahn offers plenty of ways to cool off and make lasting memories in one of Texas’s most popular summer destinations.

Schlitterbahn’s History

Before there was a Schlitterbahn, there was Camp Landa, a 13-acre campground with about 30 cabins.  In 1966, Bob and Billye Henry bought the campground which was located on the bank of the Comal River.  Over the years, they bought nearby property and developed it, culminating in the opening of Landa Resort in 1979.  In honor of the town’s German roots, the resort was re-named Schlitterbahn, which means slippery road in German.

In 2019, Cedar Fair entered into an agreement with the Henry family to acquire the original park along with other water parks and resorts, making Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels part of the Cedar Fair network.

When Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags in 2024, the Schlitterbahn brand became part of the new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. Today, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels operates under the Six Flags umbrella, although some park ownership arrangements have changed in recent years.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels – Today

Schlitterbahn’s Attractions

Thanks to the addition of those new rides over the years, the New Braunfels location of Schlitterbahn now has 51 different attractions across its East and West parks.  The attractions include 5 pools, 6 heated pools, 9 kiddie pools/rides/play areas, an AquaVeyor, the Blastenhoff Beach, PLUS:

• Tube chutes & slides:  Bahnzai Pipeline, Black Knight, Cliffhanger Tube Chute, Deluge, Der Bahn Speed Slides, Double Loop Body Slides, Downhill Racer, Dragon’s Revenge (the first uphill water coaster), Hillside Tube Chute, Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster, Raging River Tube Chute, Soda Straw Body Slide, The Falls (the world’s longest tubing adventure), White Water Tube Chute, and Wolfpack Raft Slide, and
• Lazy rivers:  the Congo River Expedition, Kristal River, and Torrent River.

We have some good news for you -inner tubes and life jackets are free to use at the park. (They have a limited number and they are available near several of the attractions.)

And for those who are really brave, there’s the Skycoaster.  Check out this footage of my friend Jennifer (from SweetTMakesThree.com) riding the Skycoaster:

I LOVE lazy rivers and can tell you that Schlitterbahn’s lazy rivers exceeded my expectations.  The lazy rivers turn and drop as they meander through the park, making them a blast to ride.

In addition to the traditional lazy rivers, there is the Torrent River, a cross between a lazy river ride and a wave pool.  Riders are propelled along the way via occasional waves, circling the Blastenhoff complex in only 5 minutes.

And there’s more!  The Boogie Bahn Surfing Ride, where 50,000 gallons of water flows each minute over the foam-covered surface, is the perfect spot to learn how to boogie board.

While I was at Schlitterbahn, it was National Women Learn To Surf Day.  It was the perfect excuse for me to pick up a boogie board and learn how to catch some waves.  It ended up being a lot easier than I thought it would be and I highly recommend it.

Luxury Cabanas

For those who really want to get the most out of Schlitterbahn, renting one of their luxury private cabanas is the way to go. The luxury cabanas come with a refrigerator, television, and a safe to use.   They are a great spot to get out of the sun and rest awhile.  An added benefit is having “room service.”  You can place an order for food and drinks and have it delivered to your cabana.

The Comal River

One unique aspect of Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is that in the western section of the park, water from the Comal River is used for the rides.  Measuring a constant 71 degrees, the water is recycled through a filtration system.  Some of the slides end in the river itself where riders drift along with the natural current.

One thing that I found surprising is that guests can bring their own food and drinks to the park, with the exception of glass containers and alcohol – understandably so.  There are several places in the park where guests can various food items, such as pizza, chicken, turkey legs, salad, and BBQ nachos.  There are also incredible funnel cakes.  Loaded funnel cakes.

While that gives you a glimpse into some of the things that make Schlitterbahn the best water park in the world, there’s still more!

The Resort at Schlitterbahn

One of the things that sets Schlitterbahn apart from many other waterparks is its on-site resort. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, including hotel rooms, suites, condos, cabins, lofts, and vacation homes, making it easy to find something that fits both your family size and budget.

Some units feature full kitchens and living areas, which can be especially helpful for longer stays. The resort is spread throughout the property, placing many guests within walking distance of water attractions, pools, and the scenic Comal River.

For families looking to turn a day at the waterpark into a full getaway, staying on-site can add convenience and extra time to enjoy everything New Braunfels has to offer. Schlitterbahn’s resort accommodations range from cozy cabins for couples to multi-bedroom vacation homes that can accommodate large groups. There are even Treehaus Luxury Suites.

There are perks to staying at the park such as discounted ticket prices, Early Ride Time – early access to the Master Blaster, Wolfpack, and Black Knight starting (1-hour before the park opens to the general public), extended ride time on the Boogie Bahn for 1-hour past park close, after regular park closing, resort guests can enjoy the Swim-Up Bars (Biergarten and Boogie Bay) and other great activities such as games, s’mores, popcorn, and a movie.

People Also Ask

Schlitterbahn Info

Schlitterbahn Hours:  Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels is open weekends in the early Spring and Fall. The water park is open daily during the Summer – June, July, and most of August. Attraction availability is limited on some days.  Schlitterbahn opens at 10:00 daily and the closing times vary. Be sure to check the schedule when making plans.

Schlitterbahn Tickets

Summer Any-Day Admission

• Any-Day General Admission: $49.00 Online
• Ages 2 & younger are admitted FREE.

Schlitterbahn Map

Free parking is available in the parking lots next to the water park.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is approximately 31 miles east of the San Antonio airport and about 50 miles southwest of the Austin airport.

Final Call

From relaxing river floats to water slides that may have you questioning your life choices halfway down, Schlitterbahn is packed with ways to make lasting summer memories. Have you visited Schlitterbahn, or is it still on your Texas bucket list? Let me know in the comments! If you’re planning a trip to New Braunfels, don’t forget to save this post, share it with your travel crew, and pin it for future vacation planning.

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