• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Image of a kayaker at Clear Creek in Colorado
Kayaking at Clear Creek in Colorado. Photo: Simon Foot

Colorado River Tubing, Kayaking & SUP

226
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Tubing down one of Colorado’s many scenic rivers is a great way to spend a hot, sunny day. Enjoy an adrenaline-pumping ride down some whitewater or take it easy with a float down a gentle, lazy river. These locations are open to kayaks and you’ll often see stand up paddle boarding (SUP) as well.

List of River Tubing, Kayaking, and SUP in CO

Tubing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are available from Denver to Grand Junction and plenty of places in-between. Prepare well for these activities and they’re best practiced with another person. If tubing, really be aware of your journey and how long you expect it to take.

Avon Whitewater Park Kayaking Colorado

Avon Whitewater Park – Eagle River

Image of people kayaking

Boulder Creek Tubing – Boulder

Blue River Breckenridge Colorado

Breckenridge Kayak Park – Blue River

Image of a paddle boarder with Buena Vista River Park in Colorado

Buena Vista Whitewater Park – Arkansas River

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

Clear Creek Whitewater Park – Golden

Image of a person floating down the Colorado River

Colorado River Tubing – Eagle

Image of people rafting in Durango

Durango Whitewater Park – Animas River

Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park

Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park – Colorado River

Gunnison River Festival Rafter on Banana Boat in Whitewater Park

Gunnison River Whitewater Park – Gunnison

Imondi Wake Zone, Fruita, CO

Imondi Wake Zone – Fruita

Image of an event at Montrose Water Sports Park in Colorado

Montrose Water Sports Park

North Saint Vrain River Bridge Lyons

North Saint Vrain Creek Tubing & Kayaking – Lyons

Pueblo Whitewater Park Arkansas River

Pueblo Whitewater Park – Arkansas River

Image of a kayaker at the FIBArk Whitewater Festival in Colorado

Salida Whitewater Park – Arkansas River

San Juan River Tubing

San Juan River Tubing & Kayaking – Pagosa Springs

South Platte River Tubing Confluence Park Denver

South Platte River Tubing – Deckers/Denver

Vail Whitewater Park Colorado

Vail Whitewater Park – Gore Creek

Yampa River Tubing Steamboat Springs

Yampa River Tubing and Kayaking – Steamboat Springs

Map of River Tubing, Kayaking, and SUP in CO

Featured Tubing, Kayaking, and SUP

Fort Collins Kayaking Horsetooth Reservoir Light

Rent a Kayak and Go Kayaking in Fort Collins

Living in a landlocked state, water sports aren’t on everybody’s radar. Destinations like Fort Collins though…

Rent a Kayak and Go Kayaking in Fort CollinsRead More

Shadow Mountain Lake Kayaking Colorado

11 Best Places to Kayak in Colorado

While Colorado is best known for its mountains, there are plenty of beautiful lakes and rivers…

11 Best Places to Kayak in ColoradoRead More

Sloan's Lake, Colorado

16 Best Spots for Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) near Denver

If you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor activity that’s easy to learn and provides a solid…

16 Best Spots for Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) near DenverRead More

Stand Up Paddleboard SUP Colorado River

7 Top Places to Stand Up Paddle Board in Colorado

Stand-up paddle boarding (also spelled as standup paddleboarding) is becoming an increasingly popular water-based activity, especially…

7 Top Places to Stand Up Paddle Board in ColoradoRead More

Clear Creek Whitewater Park Rubber Ducky Tuber

Colorado’s Top Whitewater Parks for Kayaks, Tubes and SUPs

Since the turn of the millennium, Coloradoโ€™s towns have been revolutionizing their waterfront areas with new…

Colorado’s Top Whitewater Parks for Kayaks, Tubes and SUPsRead More

Colorado Watersports Scuba Diving Downtown Aquarium Denver

The Ultimate Guide to Watersports in Colorado

When you think of Colorado, watersports is probably not the first image that springs to mind.…

The Ultimate Guide to Watersports in ColoradoRead More

Guide to River Tubing, Kayaking & SUP in Colorado

Image of kayakers in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Kayakers in Pagosa Springs. Photo: Scrubhiker (USCdyer)

Floating down an alpine river is fun and only costs a little money upfront for a tube. The season runs from around June to September, depending on conditions. Planning is important, so make sure the river conditions are good and you’re not tubing alone.

Both river tubing and kayaking can be dangerous, so please be careful. A helmet and life vest are a smart idea. It’s also best to go with at least one friend and know your route, and where you plan to enter and exit the river.

Since the river water flows from high in the Rocky Mountains, expect it to be cold. It does warm up as the season progresses, though it’s always a wake-up call when you first dip in. Be careful bringing sunglasses, as they often get lost in the whitewater, as do flip flops and other non-attached footwear. If it’s valuable, it’s best left at home (aside from you of course).

What to Bring Tubing

  • Tube – The bigger tubes (affiliate link) are usually better and more durable for taking bumps. Walmart and sporting goods stores sell tubes. The ones with the nets in the middle are pretty nice and run near $30. Stay away from the dollar store knockoffs.
  • Swimsuit and Shoes – rubber water shoes or old sneakers – don’t wear flip-flops or expensive jewelry because they get lost, no glass
  • Sunglasses and Sunscreen – you could lose your sunglasses, so cheap ones are best
  • Air Pump – for tube, optional
  • Life Jacket – required for kids 12 and under

If you’re going on a longer tubing trip, bring two cars to the shuttle. Park one at the finish and then have everyone take one car to the start.

Other Inflatable Options

Image of a tuber at Confluence Park in Denver, Colorado
Tubing at Confluence Park. Photo: Kent Kanouse

Inflatable watercraft, whether boats, tubes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards allow you to easily and affordably transport your gear to the water. Inflatable options range in quality, size, and price. You can find seriously well-built, durable inflatable craft perfect for your summer fix.

Some inflatable boats can be purchased for less than $100. This grants you access to fun lakes and rivers, allowing you to just cruise around or find the perfect fishing spot. Some models even allow you to attach a motor to them, ensuring you have an easy time getting around.

Latest in River Tubing and Kayaking

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, CO

Best things to do in Glenwood Springs

Anchored by its plentiful hot springs and stunning canyon, the historic town of Glenwood Springs features…

Best things to do in Glenwood SpringsRead More

Aurora Reservoir Colorado June

Best things to do in Aurora, CO

Denver’s eastern neighbor, and the larger city by land area (third largest in the state by…

Best things to do in Aurora, CORead More

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

Tubing the Mighty Clear Creek in Golden

Tubing the Clear Creek Whitewater Park is one of Jeff Co’s biggest summer attractions. There are…

Tubing the Mighty Clear Creek in GoldenRead More

Colorado River Kayaking Nevada

Kayaking the Upper and Lower Colorado River

The Colorado River is one of the most coveted waterways for kayaking and other human-powered watercraft.…

Kayaking the Upper and Lower Colorado RiverRead More

View more river tubing and kayaking articles

Related Activities

Boating Cherry Creek

Colorado Boating

Trout Fishing Potato Lake Durango Colorado

Colorado Fishing

Image of people whitewater rafting in Colorado

Colorado Whitewater Rafting

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Colorado Activities

  • All Activities
  • All Attractions
  • All Recreation
  • Amusement
  • Archaeological Areas
  • ATV Rentals
  • Biking
  • BLM Land
  • Boating
  • Brewery Tours
  • Camping
  • Casinos
  • Caves
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Comedy
  • Concerts
  • Distillery Tours
  • Dog Sledding
  • Drive-In Theaters
  • Dude Ranches
  • Escape Rooms
  • Factory Tours
  • Federal Lands
  • Fishing
  • Food & Dining
  • Ghost Towns
  • Go Karts
  • Golfing
  • Gondola Rides & Chair Lifts
  • Hang/Paragliding
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hot Air Balloons
  • Hot Springs
  • Hunting
  • Ice Climbing
  • Ice Fishing
  • Ice Skating
  • Jeep Rentals
  • Lakes
  • Landmarks
  • Marijuana Tours
  • Mine Tours
  • Miniature Golf
  • Mountains
  • Museums
  • National Conservation Areas
  • National Forests
  • National Grasslands
  • National Historic Sites
  • National Monuments
  • National Parks
  • National Recreation Areas
  • National Recreation Trails
  • National Scenic Trails
  • National Wilderness Areas
  • National Wildlife Refuges
  • Paintball
  • Performing Arts
  • Public Parks
  • Railroads
  • River Tubing, Kayaking & SUP
  • Rivers
  • Rock Climbing
  • Rodeos
  • Scenic Drives
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Skydiving
  • Sleigh Rides
  • Snow Tubing
  • Snowbiking
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Speedways
  • Sports Teams
  • State Parks
  • State Wildlife Areas
  • Theatre
  • Waterfalls
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Wildlife
  • Winery Tours
  • Zip Lines

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise