Are you looking for ideas on how to beat the heat this summer? How about swapping the overcrowded beaches for the refreshing crystal-clear waters of a shady, lazy river instead? If this sounds like the summer adventure you’ve always wanted to try, don’t miss out on the best river tubing adventures America has to offer this summer season.
With some of the greatest natural lazy rivers in the world, you too could soon be floating along the calm river currents while Salt River tubing in Mesa, Arizona, and dipping your feet in the lush cooling waters. Alternatively, head to New Braunfels, Texas where a choice of river courses makes for the perfect getaway for the whole family. First, take the kids for a tranquil Comal River tubing tour before engaging in some white-water river tubing on the action-packed rapids of the Guadalupe River.
What are you waiting for? Grab your swimwear, some waterproof sandals, and sunscreen, and explore the best river tubing experiences in the US.
Our first top river tubing destination will soon see you floating downstream through the heart of Reno, Nevada, on the Truckee River. This picturesque river offers some of the best river tubing outings in the USA, flowing for over 121 miles, originating from the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe in California before descending gradually towards Pyramid Lake in Nevada.
However, our Truckee River tubing adventure starts at Mayberry Park, west of Reno, Nevada. You can bring your own floats for river tubing or join the crew at Wild Sierra and use their shuttle services and top-quality inflatable tubes to navigate the river. Then, experience a captivating 2.5-hour journey with friends and family, gliding along the striking riverbank adorned with colorful flowers in the heart of the city. Marvel at the stunning views of Idlewild Park and conclude your adventure on the riverbanks of Wingfield Park.
Reserve your hotel in Reno, Nevada, and experience a peaceful slumber at the Aiden by Best Western @ South Reno.
The next stop on our tour of the best river tubing destinations – join the Rockin’ R team on the Comal River banks in New Braunfels, Texas. Perfect for all ages, New Braunfels boasts two lazy river courses for you to explore – the Guadalupe River and the Comal River.
The Guadalupe River tubing experience is a must for water sports enthusiasts, with its thrilling rapids offering a white-water tubing adventure. Alternatively, the Comal River tubing experience offers a delightful 3-hour journey down the river, perfect for families seeking a more leisurely and relaxed float downriver.
Reserve your hotel in New Braunfels, Texas, and get a well-deserved night’s rest at the Best Western Inn & Suites.
Head to Alabama next to find the tranquil Little Cahaba River, the most rural lazy river on our list and a strong contender for the best river tubing journeys in the US. Loaded with twists and turns, the Little Cahaba River is the perfect setting for a serene 6-mile water adventure before it joins the longest free-flowing river in Alabama – the Cahaba River.
Join the staff at the Limestone Park Canoe Rental in Brierfield, Alabama, where you can hire inflatable tubes before navigating the Little Cahaba River. Add some time to make a pit stop along the way, as it’s hard to resist a refreshing swim at McGuire’s Ford swimming hole along the way.
Reserve your hotel in Bessemer, Alabama, and get a restful night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus Bessemer Hotel & Suites.
For our next river tubing destination, wait until you see the gentle rapids of Wisconsin’s lazy river – the Apple River. This 77.5-mile river eventually flows out into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River; however, head to Somerset, Wisconsin, for a spectacular three-mile river tubing trip along the calming Apple River currents.
This idyllic setting is perfect for the whole family, as the Apple River supplies some of the best river tubing adventures in the nation. If you bring your own floats for river tubing, be sure to stop at the many sandbars and riverbank beaches along the way. Alternatively, you can join the local outfitters’ Rivers Edge team for a planned 2.5-hour top river tubing adventure instead.
Reserve your hotel in New Richmond, Wisconsin, and enjoy a peaceful night’s snooze at the Best Western Plus New Richmond Inn & Suites.
Our final location on our list of the best river tubing experiences in the US has to be Salt River tubing in Arizona. The Salt River is a major tributary of the Gila River; however, you can find the excellent team of Salt River Tubing operating out of Mesa, where they will help you tube the best section of this 200-mile-long river.
This section of the Salt River offers the ultimate river tubing experience floating through the Tonto National Forest immersed in its refreshingly cool water. Not only does Salt River tubing provide some of the best river tubings in the world, but the views along the way are also incredible. As you float along, you’ll be treated to some spectacular views of the towering cliffs, lush forests, and the native Arizona wild horses frequenting the Salt River bank as you cruise downstream.
Reserve your hotel in Apache Junction, Arizona, and rejuvenate after a day of tubing at the Best Western Apache Junction Inn.