A Unique Coaster With The Best Views Of This Southern State Lets You Control Your Speed

They say everything is bigger in Texas. Case in point: Camp Fimfo. The 475-acre camping resort is located in New Braunfels, on the gorgeous Guadalupe River, an hour from Austin and San Antonio. At Camp Fimfo, guests can camp in their own RV or tent or opt for a cozy lodging option such as an A-frame cabin, with prices ranging from $58 a night to $331 a night. However, the main attraction at Camp Fimfo is arguably the Cliff Carver, the first alpine coaster in Texas.

Riders can manually control Alpine coasters via a lever-like brake. Thus, they can decide the speed of their ride. Pushing the brake forward speeds things up or they can pull back to slow down. Alpine coasters can be found at American amusement parks like the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado and Leavenworth Adventure Park in Washington.

But at the time of publication, the Cliff Carver is the only Alpine coaster in the Lone Star State. The Cliff Carver was built in 2022 and debuted in March 2023. It features a one-mile track surrounded by nature that can be traversed up to 25 miles per hour. Best of all, you don't have to be an overnight guest at Camp Fimfo to ride the Cliff Carver. 

The Cliff Carver lasts about eight minutes, and riders can expect several drops on the winding track. If you or your young ones want to experience the Cliff Carver's thrills at Camp Fimfo, make an online reservation to secure a spot. At the time of this publication, you can ride solo for $20 or ride with a buddy for $35. If you decide on the latter, the driver sits in the back and the passenger in the front.  That said, the Alpine coaster does have age restrictions and height requirements. 

Solo drivers have to be at least 9 years old and 54 inches tall. Younger kids can ride as passengers if they are 3 years old and 38 inches tall. If two plan to ride one sled, the driver must be at least 16 years old. Furthermore, all riders (or their legal guardians if they are minors) must sign a safety waiver. 

However, this should not deter you from riding the Cliff Carver and enjoying the serene beauty of New Braunfels and Texas Hill Country. Remember, you can dictate the pace of the ride, and as long you follow the safety rules (including keeping your hands on the brake if you're driving), you should be golden.

The Alpine coaster's hours vary per season. At the time of this publication, the Cliff Carver is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

For the admission price of the Cliff Carver, riders can enter and dine at the Filling Station and Squirrely's Tavern. These eateries are typically reserved for individuals staying at Camp Fimfo. The General Store, which sells souvenirs and other goods, is also open to Cliff Carver riders. 

Nevertheless, if you want to take a family trip for a fun-filled outdoor adventure, consider camping or booking a cabin at Camp Fimfo. Camp Fimfo has an array of attractions and amenities exclusive to lodgers. Your stay includes access to the pool, a water park with slides, mini golf, sports courts, and a playground. 

Moreover, Camp Fimfo has daily scheduled events (some free and some paid) for both kids and adults. These include tie-dying, movie nights, and mixology classes. Other relaxing features include hot tubs and a hammock grove. In addition, guests at Camp Fimfo can swim or tube on the picturesque Guadalupe River. 

While Camp Fimfo is open year-round, the pool and other water-based commodities are typically only available from spring to late fall. If you're local to the area or aren't interested in their lodging options, Camp Fimfo has day passes for $41. The only catch is these are only available from Memorial Day to October. You can book a stay at Camp Fimfo or purchase a day pass online. Note that even if you stay at Camp Fimfo, you still have to pay for admission to the Cliff Carver.