RIVER TUBING
RIVER TUBING
RIVER TUBING
CALIFORNIA . TEXAS
TRUCKEE RIVER . FRIO RIVER . GUADALUPE RIVER
BIG SUR RIVER
One of my all-time favorite life activities is floating down a river in an inner-tube with friends, family, and hopefully a dog. With a beer in my hand and good music next to me, watching as the most glorious and tranquil nature reveals itself, I experience relaxation and joy rarely achieved elsewhere. This is a life pleasure unlike many others. This activity is a superb experience sober or with a mighty buzz, with kids, tethered to your bachelorette squad, or solo. It may just be my favorite lazy way to spend a day. But in order to truly achieve the relaxation zenith this experience offers one must prepare thoroughly .
This post is unlike my other ones where I go into the details pertaining to one specific adventure. This post will continue to be updated on the various Secret tubing Spots I to discover on my adventures. I own my own tubes that I like to bring and inflate at a gas station before my river cruise, but most popular tubing destinations offer rentals at reasonable rates as well as a shuttle service back to your car from the end of the river trail, which is often the only way to go. Check out my gear recommendations below, as they apply to all tubing destinations.
BE AWARE that in drought-affected areas some rivers are unavailable to tube down depending on how much rainfall / snowmelt that area has received that year. Always call and check ahead to make sure that river tubing is do-able when you plan to go!
THE SECRET SPOTS
THE TRUCKEE RIVER / TAHOE CITY, CA
The Truckee River holds a special place in my heart as it is the first river I grew up tubing down. I have been down this river with my friends, my family, kids as young as 7, and huge party groups! The water is refreshing to say the least so on a warm summer day nothing is better than floating down this river, taking in the high-Sierra flora and fauna, while also enjoying the perfectly paced sets of mildly sobering rapids. The best part about this float is that the final and best set of rapids shoots you out at an on-the-river restaurant and bar!
TRUCKEE RIVER RAFTING CO. / LOCAL RECOMMENDED SHUTTLE / RENTAL COMPANY
175 River Road, Tahoe City, CA 96145
Make reservations prior online or by phone and plan on checking-in and signing a waiver on arrival
Don't get confused! Truckee River Rafting is one of TWO raft companies in Tahoe City located NEXT DOOR to one another. Truckee River Rafting is closest to the stoplight.
PRICES
Rates as of Sept. 2020
Dogs welcomed!
There are porta-pottys placed every mile or so close to the river, by the bike path. There are also restrooms at the launch location and at the shuttle pick-up area. The river runs alongside Highway 89 (or River Road), but plenty of lush trees and vegetation makes you feel miles away from the real world whilst on this chill adventure.
There are 5 sets of relaxed rapids with the best (read: most intense) and final set at the very end when you reach the glorious River Run Lodge Restaurant & Bar / final destination.
Most of this portion of the Truckee River is 3-4 ft deep, with a few ponds (read: swimming holes!) that are up to 20 ft deep.
The tubing river trail is about 3.5 miles. At a leisurely pace, with stops for lunch and swimming (all recommended!) this river trail should take your somewhere around 3 hrs, maybe more, maybe less. Just remember that it is not a race but a relaxation-adventure-tour down the Truckee!
The River Ranch Lodge Restaurant & Bar usually has live music playing and heavenly bbq scents on the air upon your arrival, making life just even better. There are staff members in the water to help tow your tube or raft off to the shore and to hitch it to the shuttle which will get you a ride back to your car. You can take your time getting dry, grabbing some food and/or a cocktail before you take one of the shuttles which arrive every 15 minutes or so.
The river is a refreshing 65-70 degrees (Fahrenheit) near and in the Summer months.
FREE OPTION
You will not have access to the shuttle service, so it just takes a little more coordinating and extra helpful friends.
Bring your own river tubes, or kayak, or raft. You can buy and /or inflate them at the Chevron gas station across the street. There is also a SaveMart Supermarket there to purchase beer, snacks, extra tubes, sunscreen, etc.
IMPORTANT: Park a car at The River Ranch Lodge Restaurant & Bar parking lot before you begin tubing in Tahoe City. You will need another friend in another car to follow you there to then take you back the 3.5 miles to the beginning of the river trail. Don’t forget to keep your car keys in a safe and dry place to be able to retrieve them when you finish you river adventure!
River Ranch Lodge Parking Lot / 2285 River Rd., Tahoe City, CA 96145
There are small walkways down to the river downstream from the official launch spot. You will probably have to hunt for them a little bit, or keep an eye out for other “free launchers” and where they are headed. There will not be parking available for you. It will require you parking probably at the SaveMart Supermarket, or off the side of the road somewhere, and then walking with your tube and gear to your found launch spot and jumping in.
THE FRIO RIVER / CONCAN, TX
Let’s talk about this Texas-river-water-color, people! It’s like Disneyland for adults, with a lot more beer ;). Spanish for “cold”, The Frio River runs about 68 degrees (Fahrenheit). This is a long float loaded with some of the most gorgeous and diverse natural scenery. On a weekday this river cruise can be peaceful and secluded, however if you plan to show up on a weekend in the Summer, expect more of a party atmosphere. Both vibes are wonderful for a river float and each bring their own pros and cons, just know what you may be getting into depending on your float day. The Frio float is an absolute gem of Texas.
ANDY’S ON RIVER ROAD / LOCAL RECOMMENDED SHUTTLE / RENTAL COMPANY
21488 TX HWY 127, Concan, TX 78838 / (830) 232-5444
Located at the intersection of Hwy 127 and CR 348 (River Road)
Peak Season (March-September 30th) Be sure to check when the last launch / shuttle times are!
Sunday - Thursday 8:00 AM -9:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Off Season (October- February 29):
Thursday-Tuesday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Plenty of parking available
Andy’s features an absolutely fantastic gift shop and supplies store. This is also where you purchase your tube rental and / or shuttle service. They inflate your tubes for you! This float is a legendary one amongst tubing fiends like myself, so souvenir merch is a good get here. I got my fave insulated mug here which I use on all of my camping trips and adventures!
This river features rope swings, various swimming holes and small sandy beach spots, as well as various sets of rapids.
Recommended lunch pick-up before your float is down the road from Andy’s at Hippie Chic’s River Shack
Great for on-the-go burgers, sandwiches, and wraps!
PRICES
BE AWARE The Frio is surrounded by many "dry" (aka they don't sell alcohol) counties. Make sure to pick up your own from elsewhere, beforehand.
There are multiple options for different river runs on the Frio River
Seven Bluffs Crossing to Kenneth Arthur "Frio Country" Crossing
+/-3 hours (tube times vary on water level, please call for the latest tubing times)
Kenneth Arthur "Frio Country" to Neal's Crossing
+/-4 hours (tube times vary on water level, please call for the latest tubing times)
Both tubing runs combined will take you ± 7 hours, in order to do this run you must be at the Concan location between 9:00-10:00 am. This is the longest float option available. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen!
FREE OPTIONS
These options are self-launch spots that would require you to bring your own tubes, coolers, etc. These options also do not include a shuttle back to your start point which would mean you would need to organize and coordinate a car at both ends or a taxi pickup.
County Road crossing near Kent at 0.0 miles
US Highway 83 bridge at 10.0 miles
Bridge on FM 337 east of Leakey at 12.0 miles
Bridge off FM 1120 southeast of Leakey at 14.0 miles
FM 1120 crossing west of Rio Frio at 18.0 miles
Bridge off FM 1050 at 20.0 miles
Garner State Park on river left at 21.5 miles
Magers Crossing at 23.0 miles
Third River Road Crossing on County Road 348 at 26.5 miles
Second River Road Crossing at 28.5 miles
Neal's Lodge Campground on river right just above the Highway 127 crossing southeast of Concan at 31.0 miles.
THE GUADALUPE RIVER / NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
The Guadalupe River is famously known as the party river and easily the most popular river-float of Texas. My friend and I did this on a Thursday afternoon in July, however, and it was as chill as can be. We did encounter a snake dangling from one of the trees on the North side of the river, so be cautious and alert that you don’t float over to a tree, or snake, trap!
TUBE HAUS / LOCAL RECOMMENDED SHUTTLE / RENTAL COMPANY
12454 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Short Float / Points A to B (1 mile in length - Horseshoe Loop) Float Time: About 1 to 2 hours depending on River Levels.
Long Float / (Subject to River Levels) (about 4 miles in length) Float Time: About 5 to 6 hours depending on River Levels.
See the Map on the left for all of the access points mentioned below:
Location "A" is the "Entry Point" to enter the Guadalupe River from Tube Haus and is also the beginning of the "Short Float" as well as the "Long Float. FYI, the walk to "Entry Point A" is about 100 yards from Tube Haus.
Location "B" is the "Exit Point" for the "Short Float". Tube Haus customers floating the "Short Float" will exit the river right before the Bridge. (Note: If you are floating the "Short Float", do not go under or past the Bridge, get out BEFORE the bridge and walk up the foot-path from the river to the "Shuttle Pick Up Area" for Tube Haus.) If you are doing the "Long Float" will float on past Location "B" and continue onto Location "C" past the 4th Crossing Bridge, all the way down to "Little Ponderosa", as shown on the Map.
Location "C" is at the Little Ponderosa Bridge and is the "Exit Point" for all Tube Haus customers who are floating the "Long Float Trip". You will exit from the river at Little Ponderosa and take the Shuttle back to Tube Haus.
The Horseshoe / A fun loop float on the upper Guadalupe. After about an hour, you can take out at the bridge, walk about five minutes, and put back in for another go! Or, continue downriver to the chute.
The Chute / This is a tube chute that's a few hundred yards long, and tons of fun. When it's over, you can continue on, or get out and tube it again. Hold on to your glasses!
Around Gruene / There are sets of small rapids here that are lots of fun. When water levels are low, this is one of the only places to tube on the Guadalupe. When water levels are high, this can be a very wild rapid ride.
PRICES
FREE OPTIONS
Like the other river floats mentioned on this page, to do one of these tube floats without a rental company you must bring your own tubes, coolers, etc. Parking is way more lax around these parts but you would need to organize and coordinate a car at both ends or a taxi pickup. You can utilize the public access points designated on the Tube Haus map with your own gear, free of charge!
BIG SUR RIVER / BIG SUR, CA
The Big Sur River is not a traditional tubing river, however when the water level is high and you happen to be staying at either Big Sur Campground & Cabins or Riverside Campground & Cabins on a hot day, I guarantee that it is the best way to spend your afternoon. It is not a long float but the natural scenery is gorgeous, you pass through 2 campsites, swimming holes, chutes, little rapids, and best of all, you end up at a wonderful restaurant and bar! The water here is also quite cold year-round, so I recommend being ready with a shorty wetsuit or hydro jacket.
BIG SUR CAMPGROUND & CABINS / LOCAL RECOMMENDED LAUNCH LOCATION / TUBE RENTALS
47000 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
This is not a long float so there is not necessarily a need for a shuttle. You just have a pleasant stroll back to your start point, which means you can go down this float as many times as you’d like! This float is a slow-moving 0.75 miles long (1/2 mile walk back along hwy 1)
The end destination is the fabulous, Big Sur River Inn & Restaurant.
You cannot miss it because the shallow water abruptly stops your momentum, and you will notice happy patrons eating and drinking, with their feet half-submerged in the river.
Big Sur River Inn wading and drinking area
PRICES
$1.00 an hour, per inner tube. As simple as that.
My favorite spot to launch for the longest ride is at the small dam of sorts at the far South side of the Riverside Campground & Cabins’ property. The Riverside Campground is directly South of Big Sur Campground and Cabins’ property and the river runs through them both.
FREE OPTION
Simply bring and inflate your own tubes! There is no shuttle service so get to floatin’!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
DAY PACK
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Water! More than you think you need
A easily portable and packable lunch - a sandwich or wrap
A cooler full of canned beer (optional)
Canned wine or bubbly option (optional - but not really)
Chips, jerky, nuts, gummy bears, etc.
WHAT TO WEAR
Bathing Suit