WhiteWater Amphitheater

Parking sucks don’t don’t pay the $ 10 it’s like a half mile walk and forever to get out complete bullshit! I will never come back!

Amazing setting among the trees and on the river. Best concert venue in Texas! Bring your bathing suit and tube down the beautiful Guadalupe river in the daytime. Then settle in for a kick-​ass concert under the stars. People come from around the state, the country, heck even the world and are not disappointed.

I’d like this place a lot better if it weren’t so far from Austin, but gripey music-​averse neighbors ran The Backyard out of town, and it wouldn’t hold the crowd size that some of the artists they book draw at WhiteWater.
We made the hike out here to the Canyon Lake area to see Neil Young this week in his closest tour to Austin this time around, so I’d say it was worth it, because it was Neil Young! Willie even sat in for a couple of songs. Willie seems to play here a lot. If you live in New Braunfels, San Marcos, or San Antonio, WhiteWater is closer to you than to us music-​saturated and thus far pickier Austinites. But we will show up anyway, if you book an artist we want to travel an hour and a half to see.
The venue is completely open to the elements, which makes the guarantee of «rain or shine» events a little sketchy, especially if you weren’t lucky enough to score a metal stadium seat (but wait… what if there’s lightning?). Thanks so much, scalpers, because the venue sold out immediately for Neil Young. We were lucky to score anything. Standing room only means a dirt floor, and mud if there’s rain. Open sky/​air means sweltering if it’s summer during the day. Plan accordingly.
The sound system here is stellar, which is important when viewing rock/​country legends. Food & drinks are available, including a few mixed drinks, like a vodka sweet tea. Ours were strong, which helps the mood when standing for hours.
Parking is $ 10 there, if you’re lucky enough to score a spot on-​site. If not, don’t fret, because the opportunistic neighboring businesses will let you park in their dirt back lots for the same fee, and it’s just a short walk away. Some folks were parking free along the highway, but I thought the added security was worth the $ 10.
The line of stopped cars waiting to get in to park starts forming a mile or so down the highway. Disappointing when you’re trying to arrive on time. You know you’re in the country when the Sheriff security guard out front drawls, «Sorry, they’re full-​up at the moment,» and waves you on. Now you’ll know where to go.
The hill country area out here is incredibly beautiful, with rolling hills, trees, and the Guadalupe River running right past the venue. It might be worth going there a little early to check it all out.

I have been to Whitewater multiple times and thought it was one of the best outdoor music venues in Texas. However, just saw Willie Nelson this weekend and it’s clearly not the same. You used to be able to see the entire stage all the way back to the back bars. Not anymore… whatever leveling they did for 2016 stinks!

We saw Willie Nelson here. What a great venue. We got in with ease — no problem with parking. The doors opened on time. Good selection of drinks and the servers were very friendly and accommodating. We were about in the middle of the line and got to be right up front about 10′ away from the stage no problem and it was a full house. We visited with nice folks around us. Left to go to the clean porta potties, got drinks all with no problem in the middle of the show a few times. Left with no problem. Of course you had to wait to get out of the parking lot to leave but that is with any concert anywhere you go. Would definitely come back for any show here.

I never thought I would say the words «It’s not worth going to even if Neil Young is playing», but I just made that decision regarding Whitewater Amphitheater just now. I live in New Braunfels and I have attended a number of shows at this venue. As many other reviewers have mentioned getting in and out is a pain, but that’s not my problem with this venue. If there is an artist performing that draws a sizable crowd (Neil Young for example), most likely you will have general admission and it will generally suck. Unless you want to struggle with the crowd to be closer to the stage (btw, people of have been drinking all day on the river get old real quick) then you will find yourself in the back with poor audio and poor view. The only show that I recall ever enjoying there was Leon Russell and Bob Dylan, and the reason is that my wife and I had the preferred seating which is much much better. So this time, being someone who would not normally miss an opportunity to see Neil Young, not to mention with Lucinda Williams, I decided I would go if I could get seating. Oh but no, they are charging $ 226 per ticket for preferred seating and over $ 400 for the platinum section. I don’t think so! Why oh why Neil would you pick Whitewater Amphitheater of all the great venues between Austin and San Antonio! I’m not even attending the Willie and Merle show for all the same reasons. I did that show last year, and the crowd was so disconnected from the performance talking over the music, taking idiotic selfies, and being generally annoying. Never again! Not even for Neil Young!

I remember Whitewater being an river outfitter and campground in the 70s. Gone is the campground and today we have active music venue.
Whiteater Amphitheater has an address of New Braunfels but it is really located at Canyon Lake. We «Lakers» have been in debate with them since they opened about listing themselves as being «IN» NB… WA is approximately 15 miles from NB city limits yet 2 miles from Canyon Lake dam, so you decide. I think it is very misleading to guests that are not familiar with the area. Maybe some one from out of town books a room in NB thinking they will be close to the venue. Nope, they gotta drive 30 min away out in the country to get there… when they could really find accommodations at beautiful Canyon Lake area which would be great for the local economy. WA defense is that the mailing address is listed as NB and the line is drawn right at the river… so because they are on the NB side of the Guadalupe River just two miles from the dam where the water flows out of, they get an NB address. Whatever WA… You are located AT Canyon Lake!!! I wish they would make that clear in their advertisements to the general public…
Whitewater Amphitheater along the Horseshoe on the Guadalupe River at Canyon Lake, Texas!!!
Ok, off my soapbox now.
We drove in the back way from the lake side of FM 306 to avoid traffic on 306 from IH 35. I hear sometimes it can get really backed up on that two lane road farm to market road. Get there early for a better parking space or spend some extra cash for VIP parking. We did, and it was nice to be parking right up front. Traffic leaving sux. Bring an ice chest filled with cold drinks while you wait… it might be awhile. Again, I went home another way and avoiding 306 to 35. A few miles out of the way is worth avoiding the headache.
I HATE port — a — potties… and that’s what you get out in the country… Yuck! At least I never had to wait for one… and there is a washing station for hands, thank goodness. People need to please understand, there is no sewer systems in the country so no flushies. The ground is rock and building a septic system at a place like this would be nearly impossible and not worth the expense and upkeep.
Bar wait was short, or at least it was the night we were there. 160z Coors Light $ 6. I really liked being able to pick up free rolling papers from the 420 Dude (aka DWI Dude) at each of the cash registers. Nice touch Jamie! Ha!
Lots of ticket options: GA, VIP skyboxes (Seats 16), VIP tables (seats 6), and Preferred Seating. My favorite view is VIP picnic table, $ 720 the night I was there.
I love the trees. I love the lights in the trees. I love the venue is right along the Guadalupe River. Go Float during the day, Concert in the evening, Stay overnight in one of their cabins down the road. Make a vacay adventure.
They bring in fairly a wide variety of music to this venue. Rarely anything I’m interested in seeing though since I am a rocker. They have brought in ZZ Top and Foreigner both of which I wanted to see but for one reason or another, I didn’t get a chance to make it out there. My first concert at this venue wasn’t rock, what a shock… How about some classic outlaw country for the girl… Hank Williams Jr! I think I read it had be something like 25 years since he has been in this area. Great show. Great venue. «All my rowdy friends are coming over tonight!» Now I would like to see them please bring in Hank Williams III!!! (who puts on an awesome show, classic country first set then comes back with his heavy metal/​doom metal set with his hair down looking like a completely different person). WA was to host the Mayhem Fest Fri 31 Jul this year but it has since been moved to a horrible venue in SA. Not sure what happened but maybe Slayer and King Diamond weren’t the perfect fit for the usual Americana type of music venue. Maybe Metal Heads didn’t want to pay the high prices for all the VIP and preferred seating choices. I know many were upset that WA didn’t offer the $ 29 GA tix the first 72 hours tix were on sale. I know I was and I didn’t buy tix.
So, would I go again… only to see someone truly special
Minus one star for ticket prices and port-​a-​potties
Minus one star for misleading the public on location of venue

I was invited back to this venue and thought I would give it another shot. I love this area.
I saw Gary Allen last night. The sound was amazing! SERVICE WAS ON POINT! Very polite and accommodating. The owner was walking around and introduced himself to me. He was very shocked to hear of what happened the last time I visited. His concern was very touching and showed that he loves his business. The terrible bartender that I interacted with was a contracted worker and clearly did not reflect Whitewater for what it really is.
I look forward to the next season of shows. Personally I would purchase the preferred seating if you like to sit and chill or the VIP if you like to be in the center of the crowd. VIP looks pretty cool, they have tables and a private bar.
They have food also, I didn’t have a chance to try it, but the line was happening. Smelt like BBQ. YUM!

Ok, so I’ve been here twice the past couple of weeks. Once on a Saturday and once on a Tuesday. Both times were fun, but I would never go back on a weekend in the middle of the summer and I will explain in a roundabout way why a little later.
Let’s start with Tuesday’s visit, shall we? Arrived around noon. The wait to get a tube was less than 5 minutes. The parking lot was mostly empty. Hopped onto the bus, which took us to the drop off point and off I went!
Saturday’s visit on the other hand was met with a full parking lot by 11, about an hour wait in the blistering sun and a full bus on the way up to the drop off location. The other downsides to going on the weekend? Sitting in a parking lot full of tubes on the river, crappy loud ass music, cigarette smoke, lots of shitty beer and let’s not overlook the beer guts that float along the river with you!
Let’s just say this experience wasn’t the best of all of the tubing experiences I’ve had in other states, but it was still fun, if you have the coupon and you’re going during the week. Otherwise, I’d skip it.

Loved this venue. Saw Pat Green on ⁷⁄₂₅. Read reviews ahead of time so decided to go late to avoid traffic. Arrived 1 hour after the gates opened and we drove right in without any delay. Prices for drinks are reasonable. Wear comfortable shoes because the parking was kind of far plus you are standing on dirt/​gravel for the concert. And dress comfortable because outside in July is quite warm. And traffic leaving was forever! So we packed snacks and water in our car and just hung out with music playing until it cleared out.
But a beautiful place with a great atmosphere to listen to some Texas country music!

Went to see David Gray and Amos Lee perform for the 4^th of July. Wife is huge David Gray fan and as such was able to buy tickets thru the fan club before the went on sale to the public, she waited on the computer until exactly 10:00 am 4 months ago to buy 2 front row tickets at $ 115 each. Email confirmation said they would be in will call and were «unassigned seats» in the 2 front rows –cool. We drive in from Houston and call Whitewater to see about picking up tickets, they said it would be best to pick them up early and then for the best seats we needed to be in line at 5:30 for the gate to open at 7:300 (really ?). We do it (wifes huge fan) we are 8^th inline. When it comes time to enter their genius way of doing it it was to split the line in 2 then verify tickets and apply wrist bands. When it’s time to enter they open the gate and it’s everyman for themselves! After all the planning, effort and costs we went through the end result is people behind us running in front of us to jump in the better seats. Our planning and expense were wasted! Great concert and venue but if they don’t improve the seating (put a number on a chair!) We won’t be back!

Parking ($ 10) and exit was a complete cluster. No staff or security in the far lots and dead standstill. Only one road in and out and no one directing to keep some sort of flow going. Venue itself is pretty good and beers are fairly cheap.

Absolutely breathtaking venue. Seriously stunning. The sound could be a little better, to be honest. And the bartenders are in serious need of help– waited about 10 – 15 minutes for a drink, every single time. The biggest complaint though is the road in and out. One road. Didn’t even know or anticipate the line, so I’m glad we got in the area really early. We waited in a line of cars for at least 30 minutes, probably closer to an hour. We left the show early in anticipation of this happening again, which is shitty that you have to leave a show of artists you like and money you spent because of this. They need to solve this problem ASAP!

I waited a while to write this review because I didn’t want to write it out of pure anger. We were here for the Girltalk concert that was rained out. I know we had the option to leave at our own free will but the people at the venue gave no indication that they would cancel, so we stood in the rain for 3 hours only to be herded out like cattle. It was a mass panic with people yelling, pushing, shoving in the mud. I nearly fell, got separated from my husband and had a panic attack. It was the worst concert experience I’ve had to date and concert going is kind of my thing. Festivals, stadiums, outdoor, indoor, large, small, little dives I’ve been to just about every kind of venue you can think of. I know that many people that weekend were effected by floods in far worse ways than I experienced but I really feel like this situation should have been handled differently. Cancelation should have been announced earlier and the cattle prodders could have been less aggressive with the patrons trying to exit. I’ll give this place another try in August when it’s been rescheduled, hopefully it won’t rain!

We live in South Austin and anticipated a long drive out here, but combine that with a traffic jam and not so great entrance design into the venue and prepare for an hour and half inside your vehicle from the same area. We came to see Billy Currington and Sam Hunt. The sound quality of their performances was great. Lots of bass and you can really feel the music. There have 2 story seating behind the main ‘yard’ where folks stand and watch the bands. However, those folks will stand behind VIP seating which is immediately in front of the stage. So general admittance tickets will get you about 50+ feet from the stage. There was not enough room to stand comfortably and watch the show. People are constantly bumping into you on their way to the bar areas for more drinks. The owners should really rethink the landscape of the venue and consider making the entire area where people stand and watch sloped so that EVERYONE can see, even people of average height. You’ll find that the current layout is such that taller people who stand in front of you will block the stage entirely from your view forcing you to move somewhere else. It’s a constant struggle… They had a free photobooth set up that took some awesome pictures of us and text messaged them later that evening when they were in a serviceable area. About that… there is no cell reception out here. We had a pork BBQ sandwich and chips for about 8 bucks that wasn’t anything magnificent. Overall there were some good things, but they were outnumbered by all the obstacles we inevitably faced. Lastly, expect lots of kids. The binge drinking, hollerin, obnoxious, fightin, rude kind.

I HATE white water. I mean, I have such a distaste for this venue that I’ve missed many of my favorite artists because of this venue.
First off, there is one road in and one road out. Normally when doors open at 7:30 I’m at the venue at 7:30. The most recent time I came to see Sam Hunt here, I got in line on the road to the venue at 7:30. Then waited until almost 9:30 to park.
White water wasn’t prepared for the amount of ppl that were there… they were turning cars away and sending people back. We got there at 7:30 and didn’t get into the show until 9:15 and Sam stopped playing at 9:30. I missed most of the show.
There’s no sort of change in elevation where the audience stands which means there’s a HORRIBLE view of the show. I’ve seen 5 – 10 shows here and can honestly say that I haven’t actually ‘seen’ any of them.
If given the choice to list Austin/​San Antonio area venues in order from best to worst; I’d say this was very far into the worst end of that list.
This venue needs a makeover or just needs to flat out stop hosting such big names.

Super disappointed with this venue. Long lines to get in, even an hour after «doors opened.» The bar options were ok but limited to one brand each on the liquor options, unless you like Deep Eddy Vodka, then they got you covered. I’m short, it sucks for concerts, but usually I can stand in the back and see the stage, not so at this place. We weren’t there to rock out, it was Willie and Merle, but I at least expected to hear them, but it was tough no matter how much closer I tried to get. Not sure if it was just this specific concert but definitely disappointed in the sound. We didn’t have to park as we shuttled over but that’s just it, it’s tricky to get back to this place so either you really need a DD or to stay in the area, which ups the cost of seeing a concert here.
I think if I returned I would probably try out the VIP option but I’m pretty hesitant at this point. Of course later that night we were talking about someone I’m dying to see in concert. We passed by their marquee the next day to see he’s playing there next month and that’s probably the closest he’ll get to Austin. Based of this experience I’m super hesitant to return, but at the same time I usually like to give places a 2^nd chance. Will update if I decide to return.

The drive to here, especially at night, may have you wondering just where in the world you’re driving to, but I assure you it will be well worth it.
The WhiteWater Amphitheater is home to many great concerts and events year round. As fun as the venue is expect the parking to be very crowded. You may even need to park on the street because that is how packed it gets.
The venue is set up with a bar splitting up the front and back standing area. Right above and around the bar are VIP tables you can rent directly from the tickets site.
There are plenty of restrooms and outside wash stations.
Overall I’ve always had a pleasant experience here when attending a concert or event!

Staff was great and 11 $ for double jack and cokes at a concert venue may be the cheapest price I’ve ever paid. Fun times, great scenery.

Fabulous music venue. By far my favorite in the New Braunfels area. Despite the large crowds I never have to more than just a minute for the restrooms or for a fresh cold beer. The staff is super friendly, as I’ve found some in this area can be a little elitist and annoyed by tourists.
I always tend to watch shows on the far right side of the stage. You can get really close and the sound is great there. There is even a bar and some open space to dance if you’d like. Always a great time here!