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Chill over thrill: 6 spots for river tubing in Colorado this summer

By Seth Boster July 6, 2024 | updated 1 year ago

While we earn our Colorado stripes by roaring through whitewater rapids, there’s nothing wrong with taking the slow lane once in a while. And nothing says summer like a relaxing float.

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Moulin Rouge! The Musical cast member Brayden Newby, front, tries to paddle his way into the current while setting off to float the South Platte River with the rest of the Moulin Rouge cast on Monday, June 13, 2022, at South Platte Park in Littleton, Colo. {span}Monday’s high of 99 degrees tied Denver’s record high for June 13, according to the National Weather Service. {/span}Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be playing at the Buell Theatre in Denver until June 26th before heading to Los Angeles for the next leg of their North American Tour. (Timothy Hurst/The Denver Gazette)

Timothy Hurst

061422-dg-news-WildArtSouthPlatteTubing01.JPG

Moulin Rouge! The Musical cast member Brayden Newby, front, tries to paddle his way into the current while setting off to float the South Platte River with the rest of the Moulin Rouge cast on Monday, June 13, 2022, at South Platte Park in Littleton, Colo. {span}Monday’s high of 99 degrees tied Denver’s record high for June 13, according to the National Weather Service. {/span}Moulin Rouge! The Musical will be playing at the Buell Theatre in Denver until June 26th before heading to Los Angeles for the next leg of their North American Tour. (Timothy Hurst/The Denver Gazette)



Timothy Hurst


A word of caution, though, before embarking: Be prepared, as floating can all too often turn to rollicking. Take time to double-check the route, the weather and water levels that can sometimes be too low or too high for safe passage. Check in with local outfitters and authorities before heading to these tubing spots.

Boulder Creek, Boulder: Nothing speaks to the tradition here like the annual Tube to Work Day. The city maintains a webpage of information, including the suggested put-in point at Eben G. Fine Park. For a short run, take out at the high school. The webpage mentions a longer trip to 55th Street — “just don’t expect a super-gentle float.”

Clear Creek, Golden: If you’ve delighted in watching boaters make their way through downtown, maybe it’s finally time to join the action. Be advised Clear Creek Whitewater Park was designed with Class II/III kayakers in mind; it’s “not a lazy river float,” Golden River Sports emphasizes. The outfitter recommends walking the creek’s adjacent path to decide on a suitable section.

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South Platte River, Littleton: Here’s another fine way to beat the heat in Denver. Fine usually applies to the water — typically gentle for the whole family. First-timers might want to check in with Adventure West. The company will shuttle you upstream for a float through Carsen Nature Center that lasts one to three hours, depending on flows.

Colorado River, Palisade: An idyllic float might end with a glass of wine or a juicy peach. Vineyards and orchards are seen amid the mesas and sandstone cliffs of western Colorado. Float Palisade guides bill it “the Grand Valley’s most serene section of the Colorado River.” A popular route that might last two hours: Riverbend Park to Corn Lake.

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Mountaintop snow tubing at 11,600 feet offered this summer in Colorado

San Juan River, Pagosa Springs: A town webpage details two miles of tubing from River Center to Yamaguchi Park. In the right conditions — considered to be levels under 400 cubic feet per second — you’ll enjoy some wave features, shops and restaurants of downtown, and views of the San Juan Mountains. And you might spy a riverside hot spring to visit later.

People float the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, on a warm summer afternoon. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

People float the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, on a warm summer afternoon. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

People float the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, on a warm summer afternoon. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

People float the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, on a warm summer afternoon. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)



CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE


Yampa River, Steamboat Springs: For beginners, it might be a good move to rent a tube from Backdoor Sports, where you can drop in and float about two miles to the shuttle at James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge. For a longer trip, tubers can park at Stockbridge Transit Center and ride a shuttle to the put-in at Fetcher Pond.

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