We’re here with an update on everyone’s favorite summer activity with family and friends, TUBING. We’ve rounded up the best places to go tubing and more around Charlotte, sorted by driving distance to make your search extra easy. If you’re taking the littles, please check the age / height requirements carefully!
Tubing Near Charlotte
Congaree River, Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA
Driving distance: Approximately 1 hours and 47 minutes
Perfect for a short weekend activity, Congaree River in Columbia, SC is just 53 miles long, making it an easy float. With tubing from Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can book online with Palmetto Outdoors for everything you need – several tube types available. Walk Ups ok but CASH required for walk up.
Green River, Saluda, NC
Driving distance: Not quite 2 hours
Situated between Greenville and Asheville, this tubing option comes jam-packed with adventuring options. With excellent hiking at Bradley Falls, biking on the surrounding roads or mountain trails, tubing on the Green River, and a charming, small downtown, Saluda has a little something for everyone. Book your floating adventure with Green River Cove Tubing and Outdoor Adventures Tubing and Camping; both have a few options for your route with calm flat water and mild rapids alternating through your trip.
New River, Boone, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 2 hours
Said to be North Carolina’s oldest river, the New River is the perfect place to combo a day of tubing with other mountain adventures in a trip to the High Country. With water depths as shallow as 2 feet in some areas, we recommend a hard-bottomed tube for this float. Take away the stress of figuring it all out, and book with Zaloo’s Canoes, or High Mountain Expeditions, where you can step it up to whitewater rafting if so inclined.
Dan River, Stoneville, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 2 hours
North of Greensboro and about 2 hours from home, you’ll find this island-rich river calling for you to jump in, take a ride, and enjoy a picnic on your own mini private island. Choose from Dan River Outfitters or The General Dan Tubing Co, to help you with logistics.
Catawba River, Marion, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes
2 hours away and just east of Asheville, this would make for a perfect trip to a mountain oasis for tubing. Catawba River Outdoors has just what you need to make your trip comfortable with their “river recliners”, each has its own headrest for added comfort. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ~ JUST SHOW UP BETWEEN 10AM AND 3PM.
French Broad River, Asheville, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes
The French Broad River is a very popular spot for tubing, and of course, being near Asheville offers many, many après-tube possibilities. For a one-stop-shop, Asheville Adventure Co. offers trips down the river and libations after in their on-site taproom. Must do: reward yourself with a post-float dinner in Asheville.
Edisto River, Orangeburg, SOUTH CAROLINA
Driving distance: Approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes
About 3 hours away, near Charleston SC, lies the largest and longest free-flowing blackwater river in North America, Edisto River. Start at Givhans Ferry State Park and end at the Edisto River Adventures outpost in Ridgeland, about 35 minutes from Charleston. The total tubing trip takes about two to three hours to complete. Edisto River Adventures also gives you everything you need for tubing, along with secure parking, entrance to the State Park, and many activities such as a full-size sand volleyball court, spike ball, cornhole, cabana for shade with swings, picnic tables, and food trucks on the weekends.
Cape Fear River, Lillington, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 3 hours
About 3 hours from Charlotte is the ultimate lazy river experience. Book through Cape Fear River Adventures for a 5 hour trip down a calm, deep waterway. Since this is a coastal river, expect water that is much slower and lends to a longer, more leisurely float. They also offer kayaking, rafting, SUP-ing, and canoeing trips. Best of all, you can book a WAGON to stay overnight after your Cape Fear River adventure, for a unique glamping experience in beautifully hand-hewn, made in the USA, wooden Conestoga Wagons.
Oconoluftee River, Cherokee, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes
A Cherokee area favorite, this river is calm enough for you to really take in the beauty of the Smokies around you. Book your trip through Smoky Mountain Tube and Raft so you can sit back and relax.
Deep Creek, Bryson City, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes
A bit farther away, perfect for a weekend trip, is Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground. Deep Creek will lead you to gorgeous scenery (waterfalls!), a lazy upper river great for families, a lower river with few rapids for those daring, and in between the two sections you’ll find one of the best natural swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plus many activities on site, like a playground with fort, swings, slide, jungle-gym and volleyball court, a petting zoo with goats, a GEM mine, and log cabins (or modern cabins) to stay.
Tuckasegee River, Bryson City, NC
Driving distance: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Climb aboard the British-style double-decker bus at Tuckasegee Outfitters and let them worry about the details of your tube trip. They also offer kayaks, rafts, and extreme tubing for those feeling something a little more adventurous. Plus Bryson City is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, where you can book a train ride through the Nantahala Gorge, the Tuckasegee River or a NC Moonshine Excursion Train Ride 🙂
