With temperatures on the rise, finding fun ways to cool off becomes a highlight — and necessity —of this time of year. And for those with a knack for water, this list is for you. The following compilation highlights some of the best natural lazy rivers in Virginia as well as local outfitters that will help make your trip a safe and memorable one. So get ready to slather on some sunscreen, kick back, and enjoy the gorgeous outdoor scenery all while keeping cool. You’ll quickly discover that when it comes to summer activities in Virginia, tubing belongs at the top of the list.
- James River State Park
Virginia State Parks/flickr Head to James River State Park and you’ll find the ideal spot for some good ol’ fashioned tubing. There are a few stretches available, one of the most popular being the area between Bent Creek and the canoe landing. Tubes and gear are available for rent. For more information on planning your trip to James River State Park, click here.
- Tubing the James near Charlottesville
Sarah/flickr James River Runner is one of several companies that offers an amazing tubing experience on the James River. This stretch near Charlottesville is approximately three miles and takes 2-4 hours to complete depending on water levels. For reservations and more, click here.
- The Shenandoah River near Luray
Shenandoah River Outfitters/Facebook Shenandoah River Outfitters offers relaxing excursions along the Shenandoah River near Luray. In addition to tubing and kayaking, visitors can also opt to stay overnight at one of the nearby campgrounds or cabins offered by the company. For reservations and more, click here.
- Tubing the New River Junction in Blacksburg
Virginia-Maryland College/flickr New River Junction offers tubing services from the family-owned campground. After floating down the river for about a mile, tubers can enjoy a free shuttle ride for another go-round. Tubing in Virginia never looked so good! For reservations and more information about availability, click here.
- The Maury River/Upper James River
Twin River Outfitters/Facebook Just 20 miles north of Roanoke, the Maury and Upper James River enjoy ideal tubing conditions. Twin River Outfitters offers tubing rentals for a peaceful trip along the tree-lined rivers. In addition to tubing, visitors can also enjoy canoeing and kayaking. For reservations and more, click here.
- The South Fork of the Shenandoah River
Front Royal Canoe/Facebook Near Front Royal, you can access the South Fork of the gorgeous Shenandoah River. As you’re tubing down this legendary river in a relaxing tube, you’re sure to feel a million miles away from it all. Front Royal Outdoors will help you organize your perfect float trip and will provide all the equipment you need. For reservations and more, click here.
- Tubing the Clinch River
Clinch River Adventures/Facebook The Clinch River happens to be the most bio-diverse river in the entire U.S., and you can enjoy its scenery first-hand with a float down the gentle rapids. Clinch River Adventures offers tubes for rent near St. Paul. For reservations and more, click here.
For a little inspiration to get out there and enjoy the water, watch the brief video below which offers breathtaking aerial footage of New River Junction:
Virginia State Parks/flickr
Head to James River State Park and you’ll find the ideal spot for some good ol’ fashioned tubing. There are a few stretches available, one of the most popular being the area between Bent Creek and the canoe landing. Tubes and gear are available for rent. For more information on planning your trip to James River State Park, click here.
Sarah/flickr
James River Runner is one of several companies that offers an amazing tubing experience on the James River. This stretch near Charlottesville is approximately three miles and takes 2-4 hours to complete depending on water levels. For reservations and more, click here.
Shenandoah River Outfitters/Facebook
Shenandoah River Outfitters offers relaxing excursions along the Shenandoah River near Luray. In addition to tubing and kayaking, visitors can also opt to stay overnight at one of the nearby campgrounds or cabins offered by the company. For reservations and more, click here.
Virginia-Maryland College/flickr
New River Junction offers tubing services from the family-owned campground. After floating down the river for about a mile, tubers can enjoy a free shuttle ride for another go-round. Tubing in Virginia never looked so good! For reservations and more information about availability, click here.
Twin River Outfitters/Facebook
Just 20 miles north of Roanoke, the Maury and Upper James River enjoy ideal tubing conditions. Twin River Outfitters offers tubing rentals for a peaceful trip along the tree-lined rivers. In addition to tubing, visitors can also enjoy canoeing and kayaking. For reservations and more, click here.
Front Royal Canoe/Facebook
Near Front Royal, you can access the South Fork of the gorgeous Shenandoah River. As you’re tubing down this legendary river in a relaxing tube, you’re sure to feel a million miles away from it all. Front Royal Outdoors will help you organize your perfect float trip and will provide all the equipment you need. For reservations and more, click here.
Clinch River Adventures/Facebook
The Clinch River happens to be the most bio-diverse river in the entire U.S., and you can enjoy its scenery first-hand with a float down the gentle rapids. Clinch River Adventures offers tubes for rent near St. Paul. For reservations and more, click here.
These are just a handful of Virginia’s incredible tubing options. Where are some of your favorite places to go tubing in Virginia? Feel free to share them with us! For related content, be sure to read about Virginia’s natural waterslide.
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Address: James River State Park, 104 Green Hill Dr, Gladstone, VA 24553, USAAddress: Shenandoah River, United StatesAddress: Blacksburg, VA, USAAddress: Maury River, Virginia, USAAddress: South Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia, USAAddress: Clinch River, Tazewell, VA, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers In Virginia June 29, 2020 Beth C. Where can I go tubing in Virginia? If you’re seeking places to go tubing in Virginia, the above list of natural lazy rivers in Virginia is an excellent place to start. Not only are these stretches of water naturally stunning, but they’re also located near outfitters that will help you plan a safe and memorable float down the river. Of course, this list only scratches the surface of opportunities to go tubing in Virginia. Some additional places you’ll want to consider include Tangent Outfitters on the New River, Adventure Mendota on the North Fork of the Hoston River, and Riverside Outfitters on the James River near Richmond. This last location is truly for adrenaline junkies, as it’s more a place for white-water rafting than a gentle float trip. What is the hottest month of the year in Virginia? Virginia is known for enjoying four distinctive seasons, and summer is no exception. From late May to September, you can expect consistently warm if not hot temperatures. The consistently hottest month of the year is July, with August as a close second. One of the factors that make the weather in Virginia feel especially intense is humidity. The hottest day in recorded history in Virginia took place on July 15th, 1954 with the temperature reaching a scalding 115 degrees F. You can imagine that more than a few people went tubing or swimming that day! What is there for kids to do in the summer in Virginia? There are endless activities for kids to do in the summer in Virginia. While it may be daunting to figure out safe and entertaining activities for little ones, you can rest assured that the options are plenty. To start with, many of Virginia’s beautiful trails are a great place to take young hikers so that they can experience Virginia’s beautiful landscape and also learn about the unique flora and fauna. Shenandoah National Parks and many of the state parks offer programs for little ones to get the most of their explorations. Virginia is also home to an impressive amount of zoos, museums, and kid-friendly cultural centers that provide hours of indoor entertainment.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers In Virginia
June 29, 2020
Beth C.
Where can I go tubing in Virginia? If you’re seeking places to go tubing in Virginia, the above list of natural lazy rivers in Virginia is an excellent place to start. Not only are these stretches of water naturally stunning, but they’re also located near outfitters that will help you plan a safe and memorable float down the river. Of course, this list only scratches the surface of opportunities to go tubing in Virginia. Some additional places you’ll want to consider include Tangent Outfitters on the New River, Adventure Mendota on the North Fork of the Hoston River, and Riverside Outfitters on the James River near Richmond. This last location is truly for adrenaline junkies, as it’s more a place for white-water rafting than a gentle float trip. What is the hottest month of the year in Virginia? Virginia is known for enjoying four distinctive seasons, and summer is no exception. From late May to September, you can expect consistently warm if not hot temperatures. The consistently hottest month of the year is July, with August as a close second. One of the factors that make the weather in Virginia feel especially intense is humidity. The hottest day in recorded history in Virginia took place on July 15th, 1954 with the temperature reaching a scalding 115 degrees F. You can imagine that more than a few people went tubing or swimming that day! What is there for kids to do in the summer in Virginia? There are endless activities for kids to do in the summer in Virginia. While it may be daunting to figure out safe and entertaining activities for little ones, you can rest assured that the options are plenty. To start with, many of Virginia’s beautiful trails are a great place to take young hikers so that they can experience Virginia’s beautiful landscape and also learn about the unique flora and fauna. Shenandoah National Parks and many of the state parks offer programs for little ones to get the most of their explorations. Virginia is also home to an impressive amount of zoos, museums, and kid-friendly cultural centers that provide hours of indoor entertainment.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re seeking places to go tubing in Virginia, the above list of natural lazy rivers in Virginia is an excellent place to start. Not only are these stretches of water naturally stunning, but they’re also located near outfitters that will help you plan a safe and memorable float down the river. Of course, this list only scratches the surface of opportunities to go tubing in Virginia. Some additional places you’ll want to consider include Tangent Outfitters on the New River, Adventure Mendota on the North Fork of the Hoston River, and Riverside Outfitters on the James River near Richmond. This last location is truly for adrenaline junkies, as it’s more a place for white-water rafting than a gentle float trip.
What is the hottest month of the year in Virginia?
Virginia is known for enjoying four distinctive seasons, and summer is no exception. From late May to September, you can expect consistently warm if not hot temperatures. The consistently hottest month of the year is July, with August as a close second. One of the factors that make the weather in Virginia feel especially intense is humidity. The hottest day in recorded history in Virginia took place on July 15th, 1954 with the temperature reaching a scalding 115 degrees F. You can imagine that more than a few people went tubing or swimming that day!
What is there for kids to do in the summer in Virginia?
There are endless activities for kids to do in the summer in Virginia. While it may be daunting to figure out safe and entertaining activities for little ones, you can rest assured that the options are plenty. To start with, many of Virginia’s beautiful trails are a great place to take young hikers so that they can experience Virginia’s beautiful landscape and also learn about the unique flora and fauna. Shenandoah National Parks and many of the state parks offer programs for little ones to get the most of their explorations. Virginia is also home to an impressive amount of zoos, museums, and kid-friendly cultural centers that provide hours of indoor entertainment.
