There's no better remedy for a hot, sticky summer afternoon than spending some time relaxing by the water. Or in this case, on the water. There is a lazy river in Massachusetts that is the ultimate way to cool off and banish stress. Grab your inner tube and read on to learn more about how you can experience this amazing summer activity.
This is the summer day trip you’ve been waiting for. With Deerfield River Portage, you can hop on a sturdy inner tube and float along the Deerfield River through a pristine canyon. All you need to do is bring sunscreen, some tasty refreshments, and a few fellow floaters. They take care of the rest!
The Deerfield River is a pristine and gorgeous local treasure. There’s no development along this part of the river, so you’ll get to enjoy nature at its most pure and beautiful.
The company takes care of that annoying "two-car" problem for you. They’ll provide inner tubes, cooler floats, parking, and transportation to and from the river.
You’ll love the tranquil feeling of bobbing gently up and down on the current as the lush greenery slips by. There are all sorts of lovely sights to see along the riverbank, including sparkling waterfalls and even some friendly wildlife.
What kind of experience you have on the river is all about timing. When the river is running more quickly, you’ll likely spend about 2-3 hours on the water. When the river is particularly lazy, expect your relaxing float to last anywhere from 3.5-5 hours. Of course, you’re not stuck on your tube for the whole time. There are many places to "pull over" and picnic or swim.
What about rapids or rocks? No worries. There are four very mellow class 1 rapid areas, which means they’re easy to navigate even if you’ve never floated on a river before.
In fact, many people simply choose to hop out of their tubes and walk along the shallow river bottom through the gentle rapids!
This lazy river experience comes in three flavors. You can choose to do full-service river tubing, which is the most commonly selected kind and includes parking, transpiration to and from the river, and all the equipment you need for your relaxing float.
You can also opt to bring your own equipment for a lower price. This experience will still allow you to have safe and easy transportation to and from the river, plus a place to park your car.
If no-frills fun is more your style, go ahead and simply rent a tube and hop in the water. You’ll need at least two vehicles to make this option viable, as you’ll need a way to get back to where you originally parked once you float down the river.
Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting wet. You’ll want some water and snacks with you on the water, so pack a cooler. It’s also a good idea to pack your cell phone in a thoroughly waterproof container.
Check out the Deerfield River Portage website here for more information and to book your float! If you're looking for more summer day trip ideas, check out our list of the best ones in the state.
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