8 Lazy Rivers In Florida That Are Perfect For Tubing On A Summer’s Day
It’s no secret that Florida summers can be unbearably hot. When the temps get hot, Floridians begin a season-long conquest for fun ways to get out of the house without melting into a puddle. Sure, swimming pools and water parks are fun, but nothing beats the beauty of Florida’s natural lazy rivers. Ready to check out some of the best options for tubing in Florida?
Because we have readers from other states, we want to give a warning that, yes, there are alligators living in every one of these places. They usually prefer to stay clear of these busy areas. Nonetheless, it’s always wise to stay alert and aware of your surroundings when exploring pretty much anywhere in Florida.
Ichetucknee might be the most well-known tubing spot in Florida, and with the gorgeous scenery here it's easy to see why. Memorial Day to Labor Day marks the summer tubing season here when visitors are allowed to launch from the north end. There are daily limits on the number of tubers and this popular park can reach maximum capacity easily in summer months, so arrive as early as possible. This park, located northwest of Gainesville, is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown every day of the week. The north launch closes at 2:00 p.m., or earlier if the 750-person limit has been reached. Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038.
Rainbow Springs State Park is beloved for its beautiful manmade waterfalls and historic footpaths through lush Florida foliage, but tubing is another great way to experience the park. Visitors start at the tubing entrance and take the shuttle upstream. Then they relax and enjoy the two-hour float downstream back to the parking area. Memorial Day through Labor Day, the tubing entrance is open seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Address: S.W. 180th Avenue Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Kelly Park - The most popular activity in this Orange County park is tubing down Rock Springs Run. The trip is about a mile long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. If you want a longer float, you can always walk back upstream and go again and again. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day of the week during the summer, but it often fills up by mid-morning. As with all of these popular parks, arriving early is your best bet. Address: 400 E Kelly Park Road, Apopka, FL 32712.
Although this run is on the shorter side, at only 1/8 of a mile, it's still lots of fun to go tubing and swim in the springs on a hot summer day. Even though swimming and tubing are only allowed in the summer, be sure to return in the winter when this is one of the best spots in the state to see manatees. Address: 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763.
Tubing in the beautiful crystal-clear springs and adjacent river at this state park is offered weekends only, May through September. Madison Blue Springs is an internationally celebrated cave diving destination and was named the best swimming hole in the country by USA Today in 2015. Come check it out and see what all the fuss is about. Address: 8300 NE State Road 6, Lee, FL 32059.
Ginnie Springs - Drift down the lovely Santa Fe River on this hour-long trip from Devil's Spring to Twin Spring, then take the 15-minute walk back on the trail. This is one of the few places that allow alcoholic beverages while tubing, which could be a good or bad thing. If you have small children, you might want to consider going during the week, as weekends can draw a more rowdy crowd. Address: 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643.
Another park located in Dunnellon, here you can enjoy a nice, long 4-hour float down the Rainbow River. Due to the length of the run, children under three are not allowed to participate. Visitors are allowed to bring food and beverages for this lengthy float, but they must be in reusable containers. If four hours seems daunting to you, you can hire a local boat to take you up the river so you can take a two-hour float down to K.P. Hole. Address: 9435 SW 190th Avenue Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Although it might not be crystal-clear like some other rivers (due to tannins in the water), the Blackwater River is actually one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the country. Plus this park in northwest Florida has some very beautiful and different scenery from what you'll find at the parks in Central Florida. Kayaking and canoeing are very popular activities here, but tubing is allowed in designated areas also. Address: 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Holt, FL 32564, but follow the brown signs to avoid confusion with navigation systems. Tubing (among other activities) on the Blackwater River is also offered at Adventures Unlimted Outdoor Center.
Tip: For longer trips, bring a floating cooler and rope to tie your floats together so you don’t get separated.
Have you gone tubing in Florida at any of these parks? What’s your favorite place to spend a hot summer day in the Sunshine State?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tubing in Florida
June 20, 2019
Marisa Roman
What are the prettiest rivers in Florida?
Our state has quite a few Florida tubing options that flow down some of the prettiest rivers in the South. River tubing in Florida can end up being one of the most serene experiences you can have. If you’re looking to check out the prettiest rivers in the state, then take a look at Crystal River, Myakka River, Peace River, St. Johns, Ichetucknee River, Indian River, and Rainbow River to name a few.
What are the best water activities in Florida?
Tubing a lazy river in Florida is only one of the many water activities that you can have in the state. There are so many other ways to enjoy the water, whether it be the springs, the ocean, or the rivers. The lazy river in Dunnellon, Florida is one of the best water activities you can participate in. Also try paddle boarding the Atlantic, snorkeling the Dry Tortugas, scalloping in Homosassa Bay, parasailing in Siesta Key, and wakeboarding in Orlando. You can also buy tickets to any one of the many water parks throughout the state that will provide endless amounts of fun for the whole family during the warmer months.
What is the best time of year to go tubing in Florida?
The best time of year to go tubing in Florida varies depending on what it is you expect out of the adventure. For those who wish to cool down and stay refreshed while they check out river tubing in Florida then it would be best to visit during the spring and summer months. There are actually a few rivers that are not as enjoyable for tubing outside of the warmer months, where visitors would then take to the kayaks or canoes instead. Since many of the rivers in Florida are flowing from actual springs, the water stays at a consistent 70-degrees, which can be quite cold during the fall or winter. However, there is a draw for visitors to go tubing during the fall months—the manatees. Many manatees migrate through the rivers and springs in Florida to stay warm during the fall and winter, which gives visitors a front row seat to these gentle giants.
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