Are you looking for cool places for tubing in Virginia? If so, keep reading!
There’s nothing quite like tubing in the summer! If you’re looking for cool places for tubing in Virginia, then hopefully our list below will give you plenty of places to try!
So, whether you’re new to tubing and want to try it for the first time, or whether you’re experienced and looking for places for tubing in Virginia, this list should help you find the perfect location!
So let’s get into our list of places for tubing in Virginia!
First of all, what is tubing in Virginia?
Before we dive into the best places for tubing in Virginia, you may be looking to learn about what tubing is.
Simply put, tubing is a leisure activity that involves floating across the water on a large inflatable tube.
Although most people take this activity lazy river-style (slow and steady!), you can also attach your tube to a boat that will take this otherwise calm activity to a whole new level! It depends on the kind of places for tubing in Virginia that you visit!
Not only does plopping yourself down on a tube allow you to explore your surroundings, but it’s the perfect antidote to Virginia’s rather warm summers! No wonder there are so many people searching for places for tubing in Virginia!
Now that we’ve given you some much-needed context, let’s jump into our list of the best places for tubing in Virginia.
Covering both popular hotspots and lesser-known gems, we’ll provide everything you need to know for the ultimate tubing adventure.
Read more about tubing in the USA: Top 10 places to try tubing in Texas
The best places for tubing in Virginia!
James River State Park
The first place on our list of the best places for tubing in Virginia is James River State Park. Known by locals and tourists as a mecca for tubing, it’s unsurprising that this place has earned a spot at the top of our list!
This area is regarded for its gentle waters, shading trees, long stretches of water, and easily accessible riverbanks.
This makes one of the best places for tubing in Virginia if you’re traveling with tiny tykes. After all, you never know when they’ll suddenly decide that they’ve had enough tubing for one day!
This area is located between Canoe Landing and Dixon Landing, the 2-mile stretch is located within the State Park and will require a parking fee during your visit you can head to the nearby rental shop if you haven’t got any gear. (If you need to rent a tube please call ahead for reservations and availability at 434-933-8527)
Once you’ve had your fill of floating, we suggest enjoying the other amenities at James River State Park to dry off.
Packed with glorious hiking trails, camping spots, a playground, boat launches, and a gift shop, you can spend hours enjoying the area’s natural beauty. It’s a top choice for places for tubing in Virginia.
The Shenandoah River
Next on our list of the best places for tubing in Virginia, it’s The Shenandoah River. If you head to the Luray side of the Shenandoah River, you’ll find another one of the best places for tubing in Virginia. This spot is frequently full of kayakers and canoeists, but the most prevalent revelers are tubers!
In our opinion, this is one of the best places for tubing in Virginia thanks to the Shenandoah River Outfitters. These guys have been offering tubing trips in the area for over 50 years, so you can expect top-notch knowledge and some of the best equipment in the biz.
Hey, there’s a reason this is considered one of the best places for tubing in Virginia – it’s almost exclusively down to these friendly folk!
The company offers daily trips for all experience levels, and they’ll help you get much closer to nature than you may be able to otherwise. All tubing rentals include the tube itself, a life jacket, a river map, a safety video, and transportation to the river.
Whether you’re here during the height of summer or are visiting the area during early fall, the Shenandoah River continues to be one of the best places for tubing in Virginia.
The Maury River
If you’re relatively close to the Roanoke area, you’ll love the next spot on our list of the best places for tubing in Virginia. If you’re wondering precisely where to head, you’ll need to visit the confluence points between The Maury and Upper James Rivers.
Why, you ask? Well, this is where you’ll find Twin River Outfitters! Located on Lowe Street, this handy riverside spot enables you to rent kayaks, rafts, canoes, and river tubes for a relaxing cruise on the water.
This is one of the best places for tubing in Virginia, as the 1.5-mile tubing stretch is laid out and easy to follow for young children. It typically takes an hour or so, and the steady down-river current in this area effortlessly propels you down the river.
Another reason why this is one of the best places for tubing in Virginia is the fact that you’ll get your tube, life jackets, a full safety orientation, and a river shuttle included in the price of your rental – score!
Read more about visiting Virginia: 18 things to do in Abingdon, Virginia
The South Fork of the Shenandoah River
We’ve already mentioned one of the best places for tubing in Virginia along the Shenandoah River, but we recommend heading to the South Fork for the most glorious views. To access this area, simply head to the water with Front Royal Outdoors.
Known for their excellent canoe, kayak, and tubing trips, you’ll know you’re in safe hands here. Hey, there’s a reason this is considered one of the best places for tubing in Virginia!
The trips are ideal for families or groups of friends, and the company will provide all the equipment you’ll need for a successful trip. Like The New River Junction, this place also offers a free shuttle to the river for convenience.
While you’re floating, keep an eye out for deer, eagle, and osprey! They tend to hang around these parts, so it’s worth pulling out the waterproof camera in preparation!
With Front Royal’s excellent service, the wildlife-spotting opportunities, and the relaxing atmosphere, this spot is one of the best places for tubing in Virginia.
The Clinch River
Next on our list of the top places for tubing in Virginia, it’s The Clinch River. Do you want to learn more about Virginia’s biodiversity? If so, you need to check out the Clinch River.
Known as one of the most biodiverse rivers in the US, you can float down the river while spotting fabulous water-based flora!
If you’re not sure who to tube with, we’d say that Clinch River Adventures is one of the best places for tubing in Virginia. Based near St. Paul, it’s a convenient place to pick up all your gear and ask any questions you may have.
A typical tubing trip lasts for 2 hours, which we feel gives you enough time to explore the area without getting bored. If you’re traveling with 15+ people, you can even get a rather nifty discount!
Whether you’re traveling with the who family or want to explore the best of Virginia’s waterways on your own, The Clinch River remains one of the best places for tubing in Virginia.
We hope that this list of the best places for tubing in Virginia has been helpful. As you can see, there are several excellent options that you can work into your existing itinerary!
The New River Junction
If you’re looking for the best places for tubing in Virginia, consider the search over with New River Junction. Nicknamed ‘Mother Nature’s Water Park’, the river will carry you gently down the river on your tube at this amazing location.
The entire stretch is only a mile or so. This makes it one of the best places for tubing in Virginia if you’re after a short and sweet experience! If you’d like to go more than once, this place offers a free shuttle bus that will zip you back to the starting line!
Boasting extremely reasonable fees, the aforementioned free shuttle, and an excellent reputation, New River Junction continues to be one of the best places for tubing in Virginia!
Do you have any more spots that we should add to our list of the best places for tubing in Virginia?
If so, we’d love to hear about them! Also, let us know which of these places for tubing in Virginia you’ll be trying first!
