Gilligan's Campground: Your Riverside Retreat on the Guadalupe in New Braunfels

Gilligan's Campground Introduce

For Texans seeking the quintessential Guadalupe River experience, Gilligan's Campground in New Braunfels offers a refreshingly authentic and accommodating retreat. Nestled directly on the banks of the famous Guadalupe River, this campground is a perfect hub for those looking to enjoy tubing, swimming, and simply relaxing by the water. Gilligan's is known for its inviting atmosphere, providing a blend of essential amenities and a friendly environment that makes for a memorable outdoor adventure.

Recent reviews highlight a significant positive shift under new ownership, with "Christina" specifically mentioned for going "above and beyond" to ensure smooth trips for guests. This dedication to customer service is a crucial aspect that sets Gilligan's apart, ensuring that visitors feel well-cared for from arrival to departure. The campground is praised for its "nice and shaded" tent sites, which offer the coveted direct river access and even electricity – a welcome amenity for primitive camping enthusiasts. Furthermore, the restrooms, complete with showers, are consistently noted for their cleanliness, addressing a common concern for campers.

Beyond the comfortable camping experience, Gilligan's Campground facilitates seamless river adventures. They offer convenient shuttle services to tubing drop-off points and provide tubes for rent on-site, simplifying your day on the water. This comprehensive approach means less logistical hassle and more time enjoying the beautiful Guadalupe River. For Texans planning their next river trip, Gilligan's Campground promises a friendly welcome and a truly enjoyable stay.

Location and Accessibility

Gilligan's Campground is ideally located at 9360 River Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78132, USA. This prime address positions it directly along River Road, one of the most scenic and popular routes that winds alongside the Guadalupe River. For Texans, New Braunfels is a highly sought-after destination, strategically situated between the major metropolitan areas of San Antonio and Austin. This accessibility makes Gilligan's Campground a convenient choice for a quick weekend escape or a longer vacation from various parts of the state.

The campground's direct frontage on the Guadalupe River is a significant advantage, allowing for immediate access to the water for tubing, swimming, or fishing. This eliminates the need for extensive travel to find river entry points, maximizing your time for recreation. River Road itself is well-known and easily navigable, ensuring a straightforward journey to the campground, even for those with trailers or larger vehicles.

Beyond the immediate river access, Gilligan's Campground is just a short drive from other popular New Braunfels attractions. Guests can easily explore the historic charm of Gruene, experience the thrills of Schlitterbahn Waterpark, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of downtown New Braunfels. This central location in the heart of Texas's premier river destination makes Gilligan's Campground an excellent base for all your Hill Country adventures.

Services Offered

Tent Campsites with Direct River Access: Gilligan's Campground offers tent sites that are specifically noted for being nice, shaded, and providing direct access to the Guadalupe River. This is a significant draw for campers who prioritize being close to the water.
Electricity at Tent Sites: A notable service, especially for tent camping, is the provision of electricity at the campsites. This allows campers to power devices and enhances comfort.
Restrooms with Showers: The campground provides restroom facilities that include showers. Reviews emphasize their cleanliness, which is a key factor for a comfortable camping experience.
Tube and Raft Rentals: Gilligan's offers on-site tube and raft rentals, making it convenient for guests to gear up for their river floating adventures without needing to bring their own equipment or visit an off-site rental shop.
Shuttle Service for Tubing: To facilitate river trips, the campground provides shuttle services to the tubing drop-off points. This essential service ensures a hassle-free and enjoyable floating experience.
Accommodating Staff and Management: The reviews highlight an accommodating new ownership and staff, particularly "Christina," who goes "above and beyond" to ensure a smooth trip for visitors. This suggests a strong focus on customer service.
RV Sites (Potential): While the reviews specifically mention tent sites, many campgrounds on River Road offer a mix of accommodations. It is advisable to contact Gilligan's directly to inquire about RV site availability and specific hookups if you are traveling in an RV.
On-site Parking: Parking is available for guests, simplifying the logistics of bringing vehicles and camping gear.
Pet-Friendly Policy (Check for specifics): While not explicitly stated, many campgrounds along the Guadalupe are pet-friendly. It's recommended to confirm their current pet policy, including any fees or restrictions.

Features / Highlights

Direct Guadalupe River Access: The most prominent feature is the campground's immediate and convenient access to the Guadalupe River, perfect for tubing, swimming, and fishing.
Shaded Tent Sites with Electricity: The tent sites are a highlight, offering not just shade from the Texas sun but also the convenience of electricity, enhancing the comfort of traditional camping.
Clean and Well-Maintained Restrooms and Showers: The consistently praised cleanliness of the bathhouses is a significant feature, ensuring a more pleasant and hygienic experience for campers.
Exceptional Customer Service: The accommodating nature of the new owners and staff, particularly the willingness to go "above and beyond," stands out as a key highlight, promising a welcoming atmosphere.
Seamless Tubing Logistics: The on-site tube rentals and efficient shuttle service simplify the entire river floating process, allowing guests to focus on enjoying their time on the water.
Picturesque River Road Location: Being situated on River Road offers scenic views and easy access to other attractions in the New Braunfels area.
Family and Group Friendly: The setup with tent sites and river activities makes it an ideal destination for families and groups looking to spend quality time outdoors together.
Refreshing Outdoor Escape: Gilligan's provides a genuine opportunity to disconnect from daily routines and reconnect with nature in a beautiful riverside setting.

Contact Information

Address: 9360 River Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78132, USA

Phone: (830) 964-2456

Mobile Phone: +1 830-964-2456

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Texans seeking an authentic, enjoyable, and hassle-free Guadalupe River experience, Gilligan's Campground in New Braunfels is an exceptionally suitable choice. Its direct access to the iconic Guadalupe River is a primary draw, allowing locals to effortlessly immerse themselves in one of Texas's most beloved outdoor activities: tubing. The convenience of shaded tent sites with electricity and the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers significantly enhance the primitive camping experience, ensuring comfort even in a natural setting.

What truly sets Gilligan's apart, especially under its new ownership, is the emphasis on outstanding customer service. The willingness of staff to go "above and beyond" to ensure a smooth trip, from shuttle services to tube rentals, directly addresses the needs of Texans looking for a relaxing and well-organized river adventure. This attentive approach means less time worrying about logistics and more time creating cherished memories with family and friends.

Whether you're planning a lively group float, a peaceful fishing weekend, or a simple escape to nature, Gilligan's Campground offers a welcoming and well-supported environment. Its location on River Road also provides easy access to the wider New Braunfels area, allowing locals to combine their riverside retreat with visits to charming towns and other attractions. For a genuinely accommodating and fun-filled outdoor getaway on the Guadalupe, Gilligan's Campground stands out as a prime destination for Texans.

Gilligan's Campground Photos

Gilligan's Campground Location

Gilligan's Campground

Texas Comal County New Braunfels River Road

9360 River Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78132, USA

Gilligan's Campground Reviews

This lady was promoting during the floods of 4th of july smh
Jul 06, 2025 · Manny Martinez
We really enjoyed our stay at Gilligan’s! The tent sites are nice and shaded and have direct river access and electricity. The restrooms have showers and were clean. The new owners were very accommodating, and Christina went above and beyond to make our trip run smoothly. They offer shuttles to the tubing drop off and tubes to rent if needed. We will definitely be coming back!
Oct 06, 2019 · Shelby Wheatley
This place is insane. I am strictly rating this on our experience. We enjoyed the camping, the spots and being on the river, but the staff are possibly the rudest people I have ever encountered. They basically had us sign a wavier stating, if you do not like us then oh well, get over it. Hopefully you will not have to deal with the woman version of THE GRINCH. She is old and miserable. Sits by the front office talking to her customers, who pays there salaries any way she wants. But don't forget, you signed that wavier and she can do that!The bathrooms were disgusting. I believe they were cleaned maybe in the 90's but not since then. It is very loud at night, which was expected. Do not expect to be treated like a human here, they herd you in, take as much money as they possibly can charge and shove you into a line. They charge a minimum of $15 a person regardless if you have your own tube or not. I would suggest you stay here unless nothing else is available and if that is the case, I still would not stay here.
Jul 01, 2014 · Brandon L
Gilligan's Island is a good value for convenient lodging right on the river. The staff are a model of efficiency, and we never waited more than a few minutes for drop-off or pickup on the river by bus. The cabin we rented was a good value for our large party, and the bedding was clean. The population of the campground was varied, and although my group was quiet, we were never disturbed by other guests. The staff were eager to help, and seemed to love what they were doing. I look forward to returning to Gilligan's Island in the future.
Aug 04, 2015 · Ranchorita
Nice place to launch and rent a tube. The staff was friendly and they keep the place clean. We went here just to hang out with friends that were camping here and enjoyed the place. The younger staff is friendly, but the middle-aged lady was kind of rude. She was definitely looking towards charge us more than a few hours stay, but I am sure she was just tired of all the drunk people. Decent camping spots and river side tent spots.
Dec 28, 2018 · Matthew Schuster