Posts Tagged ‘Tubing’

Float Down a Lazy River with Brevard Tubing in NC

Want to float on down a cool, lazy river over the summer? Then Brevard Tubing in Brevard, NC, about 90 minutes from Greenville, SC is just the place to do it. Thank you to Brevard Tubing for inviting us out to try tubing with them!

River tubing is a true favorite activity for my family over the summer and we go to Brevard, North Carolina often since it’s less than 90 minutes away and has some incredible waterfalls and hiking trails. I was thrilled to learn of Brevard Tubing, a new tubing outfitter who opened the summer of 2023, and couldn’t wait to try out tubing with them in the French Broad River.

About Brevard Tubing

The tubing outfitter is brand new, only having opened in May 2023, but is already on their way to becoming a favorite of families and those looking for a fun time on the river during the summer due to its ideal location, all-access tubing pass, and family-friendliness.

Brevard Tubing was started by the same guy who founded Zion Tubing out in the national park in Utah. I had no idea this existed so now I’ve got a new goal whenever I can travel out to Zion National Park!

Tubes with Brevard Tubing — Tubes for your tubing run

Ideal Location

Brevard Tubing is located right along a calm section of the French Broad River not even a ten-minute drive from the entrance to Pisgah Forest. I really loved this because it’s not far from my favorite waterfalls, hiking trails, and brewery, which I’ll get to in a bit.

When you’re driving to Brevard Tubing, look for the big, pink tube at the gravel driveway and turn there. You’ll park in the small parking area, sign your waiver, get your life jacket if you want one (they are mandatory for kids ages 12 and under but adults can wear them if they want), and then get on the bus for the short drive to the put-in location on the river.

Also, I was impressed with how the owners of Brevard Tubing considered safety. The weather was pretty iffy the day we went with rain on and off but they checked the weather apps for lightening or any inclement weather right up until we got in the water. The weather held out for us but I appreciated how the owners took safety seriously.

Tubing the French Broad

I’ve tubed at a lot of places and this run was very calm. The rapids were really small and easy. There was only one larger one, which was more like some faster water over a few big rocks. If you’ve tubed the Green River, this was the complete opposite. This section of the French Broad is more like a lazy river. And the tubes all have bottoms so while you may get splashed, you won’t be in the water if you don’t want to be.

Both sides of the river during your tube run is on private property so you have to stay in the river except for the confluence of where the Davidson River pours into the French Broad. There’s a little rocky beach and swimming area that you can hang out at. You can also walk up the Davidson a little ways if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

The river, for the most part, was pretty shallow, about up to our waists. The initial drop in part was probably one of the deepest. Our kids fell in (or rather, intentionally tipped their tubes over) many times and were able to touch the bottom. Either way, kids have to wear a life jacket if they are 12 and under.

We didn’t see much wildlife except for a beautiful Blue Heron that checked us and then flew over the river behind us. There are probably turtles around and *gasp* snakes (because, well, it’s the outdoors) but we didn’t see any. The water is chilly but not freezing. It felt great when we were in the direct sun and heat.

The entire tubing trip took us a little over an hour. Depending on river conditions, it could be more or less. But Brevard Tubing allows you to tube as many times as you want the day you go!

Booking Your Tubing Trip

You don’t need to book your trip beforehand. You can just show up, sign your waiver, pay, and get on the river. If you have a bigger group, give Brevard Tubing a call (828.515.3556) so they can prep the tubes and life jackets.

Tubing on the French Broad River — Look at how relaxing this is

Kids need to be 4-years-old to get on the river and kids ages 12 and under need to have a life jacket. Sandals or sneakers – basically shoes that will stay on your feet – are also required.

Based on our tubing experiences, it’s best to bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a change of clothes. As of now, there aren’t changing rooms on site but they do have a porta-potty.

Tickets are $30/person and includes unlimited shuttle and tube rides. If you’re tubing on July 4th weekend or Labor Day Weekend, tickets are $35/person. If you’re a NC local, your ticket is $25/person.

Hours are 9:30 am – 5 pm daily. The last tube drop is at 4 pm.

Things to do Nearby

There’s a lot to do nearby if you want to make it a day trip.

Looking Glass Falls

This roadside waterfall is a favorite of ours. Lots of people swim in the chilly waters so bring a towel and change of clothes if you’re feeling adventurous. There is no hiking to get here but there are lots of steps to go to the bottom.

Highway 276, Brevard, NC

Sliding Rock

This super popular natural waterslide gets packed over the summer. You slide down the slippery rockface into a pool below and then do it as many times as your cold body allows. They are open 10 am – 6 pm daily from May 25-September 4, 2023 and there are bathrooms, changing rooms, and lifeguards on site. During opening hours when staff is present, the cost is $5/person and kids under 3 are free.

Highway 276, Brevard, NC

The Cradle of Forestry

We love this cool spot in Pisgah Forest because you can learn all about the natural environment, history of the area, and explore hands-on activities. There is also a one-room schoolhouse and small village outdoors. Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $6/ages 13+, $3/ages 4-12, $3/federal pass, and half price if you have the America the Beautiful Pass. For special events, sometimes there are extra fees and sometimes they are free. They are open Wednesday-Monday 10 am – 5 pm.

11250 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC

Sierra Nevada Brewery

The Biltmore of breweries, Sierra Nevada is very family-friendly with a small play area for kids outdoors, cornhole, lots of covered spaces to relax and enjoy music or the views, and delicious food and brews. It’s a little over 20 minutes from Brevard Tubing. Hours are Sunday – Thursday from 11 am – 9 pm, and Friday – Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm.

100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC

Downtown Brevard

You can shop, go gem mining, or explore the original O.P. Taylors in downtown Brevard. The town is downright adorable and is one of our favorites to wander around in.

Brevard Tubing
44-98 Everett Road, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

Have you been tubing yet with Brevard Tubing?

Where to go tubing near Greenville, SC and find great "tubing near me".

For more places to go tubing, check out our Guide to Tubing in NC, SC, GA, and TN.

Float Down the Green River This Summer in a Giant Tube

Feel the cool mountain water rush over your feet as you jump into a giant tube and ride down the Green River, tubing your worries away. Enjoying the small rapids is relaxing and fun, and an awesome way to spend a hot summer day with your family or friends.

Because my kids and I love tubing and are determined to try as many places as possible in our region, here’s what happened during our fun trip on the Green River, tubing on a hot summer day, and what you need to know if you want to go!

Riding a float down the river at Green River Tubing in Saluda, NC.

The Green River

I mistakenly thought I’d be tubing down the Saluda River since the town where the Green River tubing companies are is in Saluda, North Carolina. But I wasn’t disappointed in the least.

One of the best parts about tubing the Green River is that it’s only an hour from Greenville, a straight shot up I-85 to 26 North. The exit is just before Hendersonville. Once you get off the exit, you’ll have to slowly maneuver a few miles down the mountain on a switchback road. It’s a tight squeeze in some parts and watch out for bikers – but you’ll be rewarded with lots of places to go tubing down at the river.

The Green River runs through the Green River Game Lands, a vast and beautiful forest with hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Green River Adventures would be happy to book your waterfall rappelling trip, kayak trip, or whitewater adventure.

Lime green water tubes for riding down the river.

We also saw tons of fishermen in the river and along its banks catching trout. You can learn more here about NC fishing licenses.

Green River: Tubing Companies and What to Expect

Once you get down to the river on Green River Cove Road (which is a very curvy road so go slow), you have several options for choosing a tubing company. I’ve tubed this river twice: once with Green River Cove Tubing and the other with Living Waters Tubing. They are literally across the street from each other and take cash or credit cards and thankfully will hold your keys for you so you don’t lose them in the river.

At both places, we were warned us there would be some Class I & II rapids and that life jackets were recommended. Class I & II are pretty small (Class V are the most dangerous – or fun – rapids for reference) but could be a little scary for little kids. I brought our own life jackets and we used those but both tubing places had life jackets available and tethers for no additional costs.

There are a couple options for your tubing trip: a three mile or a six mile run. The three mile run is about two hours long depending on river conditions and the six mile run is double that. We found that the three mile float was a good amount of time on the river.

Place to relax at Living Water Tubing in Saluda, NC

Rules on the Green River

Every tubing place that I saw on the Green River required kids to be at least 42″ tall. Our first time out, my kids were 5 and 7 years old and my youngest was 45″ to give you an idea of the age of a kid that tall. But if you’re thinking of going, be sure to measure your kids ahead of time so you aren’t turned away when you get there.

No alcohol is allowed at all on the river but you can rent a cooler to tie to your tube if you want to bring drinks or food. Also, wear some kind of shoes that aren’t flip-flops. You may need to get out to get a tube off a rock or swim over to a sandbank and you just don’t know what’s on the bottom that could potentially hurt your feet. And we saw a lot of people using sticks as paddles, which I did try with varying success.

Fast and Fun Rapids on the Green River

The Green River is not a lazy river. The employees at the tubing places were correct: there are rapids and lots of rocks, which really made this river a lot of fun because my kids and I love that kind of stuff. For people expecting a calm river, this isn’t it. We were warned of the possibility of our tubes flipping on the last rapid due to a large rock in the middle but we just paddled to the side and missed the rock entirely so didn’t have any issues.

I made sure to ask for the tethers so I could connect my tubes to my kids’ tubes so we could all stay together and if one of us flipped, I could easily jump out and get them without losing all the tubes. I usually do this when we tube any river and it works great. Plus, for the most part, the river was pretty shallow and we could all stand up if needed.

There was a place in the river where you could jump from a rope swing, which was really close to the end of the run if you chose the three-mile float. Lots of people did this and we watched it, which was fun. Some guys jumped into the river from very, very high up in the tree, which we really don’t recommend. You want to have a fun day, not a trip to the ER.

Green River Tubing Tips

When tubing with smaller kids, it’s a good idea to tether them to your tube since the current can take them a good distance away from you. We saw some adults flip their tubes on the rapids and we got bumped around a bit so it’s better to keep your smaller kids close to you and within arm’s reach.

The water was chilly but it felt great on a hot day. There are plenty of spots to pull over and swim around but again, wear water shoes or old sneakers.

Watch for fishermen while you are floating down the river during your trip. Since tubes are basically impossible to steer, yell out if you’re behind a fisherman so they can get out of the way.

You’re outside in a wild area so you’re going to encounter some kind of wildlife. We saw some turtles and heard of someone seeing a snake.
Watch the branches of low-hanging trees over the river and try to use your arms to steer away from them as snakes like those places or the sunny logs on the banks of the river. Most will probably leave you alone but it’s good to know your surroundings.

Wear bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat. Some parts of the river are shadier than others and getting burned and bitten is not fun. Also, bring towels and a change of clothes.

Don’t bring stuff you could lose like jewelry, cell phones not in a waterproof case, and keys. Most tubing places will hold onto your keys for you.

Check the hours of your preferred tubing place and be sure to get there early on holiday weekends – it’s crowded!

And lastly, check the website of your preferred tubing place or call them before you go to make sure they are open, especially if it has been raining for a few days. Rivers generally aren’t safe for tubing when the waters rise too much.

Cost of Tubing

Most of the places we saw are $10/person for around two hours of tubing. If you want to go longer, expect to pay around $15/person.

At Living Waters Tubing, they had a small little beach area with hammocks and a fire pit for relaxing after your trip. You could also purchase BBQ, hot dogs, and ice cream (the cotton candy ice cream was delicious).

Here are the places we found to tube along the Green River:

Living Waters Tubing

5153 Green River Cove Road, Saluda
828.749.0147

Children must be 42 inches tall to tube.
$10/pp for 1.5-3 hours and includes transportation. Life jackets are available.

Green River Cove

5200 Green River Cove Road, Saluda
828.749.3781

Children must be 42 inches tall to tube.
$10/pp for three miles, $15/pp for six miles and includes transportation. Some life jackets are available.

Wilderness Cove Tubing

3772 Green River Cove Road, Saluda
828.749.9100

Trips start at $20-25/person and include tube, shuttle, and life jacket.
Kids must be 42” tall to tube.

Silver Creek Tubing

5373 Green River Cove Road, Saluda
828.894.2331

$12/person; reservations are suggested for groups of 10+ people

For other places to go tubing in SC, NC, GA, and TN, see our big list here.

Check out our Guide to Hendersonville, NC, which is only 20 minutes from the Green River tubing launch points!

Have you been tubing on the Green River?

This Giant List of River Tubing Spots Is Everything You Need for the Perfect Summer Adventure

Are you looking for a place to go tubing down a river with your family? Wondering, “Where is the best river tubing near me?” Tubing is a great way to have fun AND beat the heat in the upstate this summer. There is just nothing better than a slow ride down a river on a tube! Fortunately, you’ve found this HUGE list of places to go tubing near Greenville with your family. You’re sure to find one or two you’ve never even heard of that you’ll want to try out for yourself!

All I can think about doing during these hot summer months is getting in the water, whether it’s our neighborhood pool, a refreshing lake, or even better, cruising down a river in a giant tube. This is probably one of the more exciting summer adventures I used to do growing up. It was an awesome family activity.

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Living in the heart of a mountainous region that boasts of waterfalls, creeks, and rivers, there are plenty of places to indulge in tubing that aren’t far from Greenville at all.

This article includes:
Tips: Tubing with the family
Where to go river tubing in South Carolina
Where to go river tubing in North Carolina
Where to go river tubing in Georgia
Where to go river tubing in Tennessee

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