We have found some of the best family river floats in the country for your next summer adventure. There is nothing like taking in the surroundings and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while letting the current float you downstream.
A true natural lazy river is the best kind of family river float. Gentle and relaxing yet enjoyable for the entire family. Pack some snacks, and plenty of food and don’t forget the music!
The benefit of family river floats, as opposed to rafting trips, is that they can cater to a much larger demographic. River floats are perfect for families with young children and families who have many children or even multi-generational families. It is truly an experience everyone can enjoy.
Colorado
Colorado is one of the adventure capitals of the USA and it is no surprise that family river floats are in abundance here. They are on the pricey side but they come with an experienced guide and a full raft experience.
They are one of the only places that we have found that allow children as young as three on their tours. This is something truly unique.
Browns Canyon
Departs: River Runners Browns Canyon 11 am and 2 pm
Age Requirement: 3+ years and at least 35 pounds
Duration: 4 miles 1-1.5 hours
Price: $45pp
Take a leisurely float down the Arkansas River with your family. This family river float takes you 4 miles down the river passing through a number of class I and II rapids.
It is often quite difficult to find river floats that allow for such young children but this family river float will be perfect for even the littlest in your crew. The shorter duration and more gentle experience is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the white water rafting experience.
As a bonus, the rafting trip will also include a professional photographer to capture all the memorable moments for you.
I love this video that shows you exactly what you can expect from a family river float.
Big Horn Sheep Canyon
Departs: River Runners Royal Gorge 9:30 am, 11 am and 2:30 pm
Age Requirement: 6+ years and at least 50 pounds
Duration: Half-day, 2 hours 7 miles. Full-day, 5 hours 20 miles
Price: $82 half-day $129 full-day
The family river float is for families who want to be a little more adventurous and who can spend a bit longer on the river.
This is a beginner to intermediate family float trip that will be full of splashing and you will be guaranteed to get wet. Children as young as six are welcome to participate so long as they meet the weight requirement.
In certain seasons when the water is high the age limit does increase for safety reasons so be sure to check if you have young children just in case.
Arizona
In the peak of an Arizona summer you either want to but hanging out right under the aircon or in the water. The blistering heat can be a little too much but sometimes you just need to be outdoors.
A family river float can be just the answer to escaping the heat but being outside in nature at the same time. There are a variety of different options but Salt River and the Colorado River will always win when it comes to Arizona family river floats
Salt River Tubing
Departs: 9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, United States
Age Requirement: 8+ years and at least 4ft tall
Duration: 1.5 – 5 hours
Price: $19pp
Hire a tube and load it up with snacks as you and your family float your way down the Salt River. This experience is the perfect family float trip for families with children who are at least 8 years old.
Salt River Tubing is very strict on their age and height requirements and will not rent a tube to any child who does not meet these.
Your hire cost also includes a shuttle ride to and from the river. This is the perfect low fuss way to enjoy a sizzling Arizona day. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and water for the length of the trip.
YOu can spend a full 5 hours on your family river float or opt for a short route it is entirely up to you.
Check out this video below to see what it is all about.
Yuma River Tubing
Departs: West Wetlands Park Yuma, AZ 85364
Age Requirement: No Age Limit
Duration: 1 hour or 3 1/2 hour
Price: $10 for 1 hour float $20 for 3 1/2 hour float.
This is a true family river float with no age limit! I love this because it means everyone can go and no one is left behind.
Yuma River Tubing offers 2 different family river floats. The first is the Gila River Float which is 5 miles and will take around 3 1/2 hours to complete. The second family river float in the Happy hour which is 1 mile and will take around 1 hour to complete.
This portion of the colorado river is very gentle with no rapids which makes it perfect for young children and elderly grandparents if you wanted to bring them along too.
Once you check-in and collect your tube you can board the shuttle bus to the entrance to the river. From there you can start your gentle float down the river. Upon finishing your float you will be collected and transported back to the start when you can return your tube.
Additional tubes are available to hire for you to use as storage for your food and drinks or even your dog at a discounted rate.
Utah
Utah is yet another hot spot for adventure seekers. You can find various family river floats that suit families of all ages. Provo River and Sevier River are our picks for the best family river floats in Utah.
Provo River Tubing
Departs: 3362 East Provo Canyon Road
Age Requirement: 8+ (under 12 must float in a double tube with adult or in tube linked to adult)
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $25 Single tube $50 Double tube
A gorgeous way to spend a summer afternoon in Utah from May – September. The start and end of the season is quite chilly so wetsuits are recommended and can be hired.
This can be the ideal family river float for a relaxing summer activity with extended family and friends.
There are discounts for groups as well as the military. The price includes your fiver float tube as well as the shuttle to and from the river entrance. Life vests are also included in the cost.
The river shuttle operates every hour on the hour from 10 am.
Sevier River Float
Departs: 4550 US-89, Sevier, UT
Age Requirement: No specific age but young children but ride with an adult
Duration: 2 hours departures at 9:15am, 11:15am, 1:45pm, and 3:45pm.
Price: $15 pp
The Sevier River Float is a gentle float down the Sevier river. There is no age restriction but young children do need to ride with an adult.
The price includes your inflatable tube, life vest and shuttle bus to and from the river. You don’t need to do the entire float in one go. There are plenty of opportunities to hop off and enjoy a picnic or just swim on the shore.
Georgia
Imagine floating down the stunning lush green forest that abounds in gorgeous Georgia. This could be your dream come true this summer.
Family river floats are popular in Georgia and are the best way to enjoy a summers afternoon with your family.
Chattahoochee River Tubing
Departs: 4349 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth, GA
Age Requirement: 5+
Duration: 4 hours
Price: $23 Open tube/$25 Closed tube
Family river floats on the Chattahoochee River are great for families with children as young as 5 years old. It is a calm section of the river with no rapids. Even so, life vests are provided for added safety.
There are two options for tubes on the Chattahoochee family river float which include an open bottom tube. This tube’s open bottom allows you to float with your body in the water or sitting on top of the tube. The second option is a closed bottom tube which allows you to sit fully inside the tube similar to a raft. This may be more preferable for younger children.
A bonus to this family river float is that you can bring all members of your family including your dog! Everyone knows that dogs love water so why not bring them along too.
Toccoa River Tubing Company
Departs: 340 Toccoa Ave, McCaysville, GA 30555
Age Requirement: 5+
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: $10 per tube/$15 per cooler tube
Another incredible family river float in Georgia that allows young children. This is one of the only family river floats in the area that caters to young children.
Your tube rental includes a life vest as well as your shuttle to and from the river. This is a brilliantly priced family river float and one of the cheapest we have come across.
There are lots of other exciting adventures provided at the same location if you are after more fun. These include more challenging river rafting, ziplining and an adventure park.
