Comal Springs and Landa Park

While the Comal River may be the shortest in Texas, it ranks as one of the largest spring systems in the Southwestern U.S, fed by 7 major springs and hundreds of minor ones. In the latter half of the 1800s, this spring water powered German-owned mills and created hydroelectricity. At its source, set beneath limestone bluffs, current visitors will find Landa Park. The park’s 51 acres of green space include plants and groves of trees that support a great variety of birds, from yellow crowned night herons to red-shouldered hawks. The waters of the springs are home to several endangered species including the Fountain Darter.

Originally purchased by Joseph Landa in 1860, Landa’s Pasture (now Landa Park) began as a popular resort. Now Schlitterbahn water park and resort attracts visitors to its spring-fed pools and tube rides. With its headwaters flowing up from the San Antonio segment of the Edwards Aquifer at 128,000 gallons a minute and at a cool, constant 70-72 degrees year round, the Comal River makes an ideal spot for tubing, paddle boating, fishing, and swimming.