Every summer, friends and families gather to do a little Tennessee tubing, floating away to their heart’s content. For hours you can float along in a heavy-duty, mesh-bottom inner tube with feet dangling over the sides, twisting and turning with the slow-moving current. You may encounter some easy-to-maneuver rapids, but otherwise, you’ll mostly sit back, sipping on your sparkling water and snacking on trail mix as the world passes by. River tubing requires only an inflatable inner tube (or something similar) and some water. Here are three places in Tennessee where you can get to floating.
Perfect Tennessee Tubing Spots for a Lovely Float
River Adventures Nashville provides tubing adventures for friends, family and groups of all kinds, including scouts and more.
River Adventures Nashville
610 Keysburg Road
Adams, TN 37010
615-970-0939
Fri – Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mon – Thu by Appt.
Online Reservations Required
Adults $25; Kids ages 5 – 12 $17; Military $20
Located one hour and 15 minutes from Nashville. Always call before heading out — weather conditions and water level dictate hours. Tube along the Red River, a smooth and slow-moving waterway. The outfitter provides transportation for your group along with tubes. No children under age 5 are permitted and no pets. Children under age 18 must have a parents or guardian sign a waiver for them.
River Rat’s Canoe Rental includes tubing on the Duck River — book a group!
River Rats’s Canoe Rental
4361 Highway 431, Columbia, TN
1-931-381-2278
Weekends only
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Online Reservations Required
Tubes: $15;
$5 for shuttle service
Unlimited 1.5 mile trips down the Duck River. Always check the Facebook page for updates about water levels and float times. Life jackets available for children as small as 20 lbs., otherwise bring your own.
Putting in at an outpost with Smoky Mountain River Rat. The award-winning outfitter is located in the Smokies.
Smoky Mountain River Rat
205 Wears Valley Road
Townsend, TN 37882
865-448-8888
Seven days a week, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Online Reservations Required
Advance purchase: Adults 13+: $21.99; Kids ages 3 – 12 $16.99; Dogs (50 lbs. or less) $14.99
Located in the Smoky Mountains, three-and-a-half hours from Nashville. Always call ahead to check water levels of the Little River. Staff provide instruction and answer your questions plus provide free lifevests. River Rat includes a store for water shoes, waterproof cases, sunscreen, cameras, etc. Children can sit in a filled tube tethered to their parent’s tube so you’re in a buddy system, or you can float alone. Choose from two adventures: Outpost A: for a two-hour family-and-dog-friendly float for ages 3 and older. Paddle and swim. Or, choose Outpost B: For thrill-seekers ages 6 and older, a one-hour float with rapids along the way. Book passes and sign digital waivers before you arrive. Sixteen-year-olds and younger are not permitted to tube without an accompanying legal adult (ages 18+).
