September 30, 2026 • 5 min read
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is a 70-acre waterpark built along the spring-fed Comal River, about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio. It opened in 1979, won Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for World’s Best Waterpark for 26 consecutive years from 1999 to 2024, and currently holds 42 Golden Ticket Awards in total. The park is now operated by Six Flags following a sale completed in April 2026. If you haven’t been before, here’s what to know before you go.
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels operates seasonally, roughly mid-April through mid-September. The pattern follows three phases:
Hours vary by day and season and are updated on the official calendar. Always check schlitterbahn.com before your visit, since a spring weekday and a peak July weekend run very different hours.
Buying tickets online in advance is the best way to save money. Walk-up gate prices are significantly higher than online rates. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is free for all guests.
A preferred parking option closer to the entrance is available for an extra daily fee if you prefer a shorter walk.
The park is divided into four distinct sections, each with its own slides, pools, children’s areas, and swim-up bars. Any one section is roughly the size of a full regional waterpark. Free trams run between the east and west halves of the park.
Home to some of the park’s most popular rides, including the Master Blaster and WolfPack, which draw the longest lines later in the day. This is where most first-timers should start.
A good destination for the afternoon once the morning crowds have spread across the park. Connects to the original river sections built on the Comal River itself.
A newer family section designed for younger children, with the world’s first water coaster built specifically for kids.
Include the Boogie Bahn, the world’s first inland surfing ride (1992), and additional tube slides suited for all ages.
This is the single most effective thing you can do at Schlitterbahn. Getting in at opening means short lines on the rides that will have hour-long waits by 11am, including Master Blaster and WolfPack.
Find a shaded table or area when you first arrive and drop your gear. The park has significant shade throughout, but it fills up on busy days. A fixed home base makes regrouping easier throughout the day.
Make a shortlist before you arrive. The most popular rides build long queues by mid-morning. If you want to do Master Blaster, WolfPack, or the Boogie Bahn without a long wait, do them first.
You can bring food and drinks from outside. No glass and no alcohol in the cooler. This makes a real difference in keeping costs down for a full-day visit.
June and July are the busiest months. For shorter lines and a more comfortable experience, target a weekday, or visit in early June or late August when summer temperatures are still present but peak crowds are not.
Wednesdays consistently have the lightest crowds during peak season. If you have flexibility, midweek is the easiest day to enjoy the park.
Schlitterbahn is a full-day experience, and staying in New Braunfels gives you the flexibility to arrive early and head back at your own pace. We manage vacation rentals in and around New Braunfels.
The 2026 season runs through September 7. The park opened on weekends starting in mid-April and transitioned to daily operations around Memorial Day weekend. Check schlitterbahn.com for the current calendar.
Yes. General parking is free for all guests. A preferred parking option closer to the entrance is available for an extra daily fee.
Master Blaster, WolfPack, the Boogie Bahn, and Dragon’s Revenge are the most iconic. Ride them first thing in the morning for the shortest waits.
Yes. Coolers are permitted. No glass containers and no alcohol.
Yes. Each of the four park sections has a dedicated children’s area. Schatze’s Storybrook Park is specifically designed for younger kids.
About 30 miles northeast, roughly 35 to 40 minutes via I-35 North.
