Playing in the water is a quintessential North Carolina experience when the temperatures start to heat up. With an abundance of lakes, creeks, and rivers flowing throughout the state, we’re in the perfect location to explore The Tar Heel State by water! If you’re looking for a way to mix it up a bit, tubing in North Carolina is an absolute must! We recommend planning an adventure at these awesome lazy rivers in North Carolina. Grab an inner tube, a cold beverage, and some water shoes, and let’s get tubing on these perfectly floatable lazy rivers!

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1. Deep Creek
Deep Creek Tubing
Deep Creek Township, NC, USA
Deep Creek Camping
It's no surprise we love Deep Creek for a tubing option. Located near Bryson City, many different tubing companies offer excursions and you have your choice of the more family-friendly upper section or the more adventurous lower section. You're treated to mountain views and even a waterfall or two.
2. Dan River
Eduardo Rodriguez/GoogleMaps
Dan River Township, NC, USA
Pamela Hayes/GoogleMaps
If you grew up in the Piedmont, you've probably had a summer experience of floating down the 'Dirty Dan' a time or two. With several different entrance points, the Dan provides a mountain experience right in the NW Piedmont. Tubers are treated to both calm rapids and a few thrills where the water picks up. There are several great islands for chilling and taking it in and also some beautiful natural rock structures hanging over the river. We're pretty sure river tubing in North Carolina doesn't get better than this!
3. French Broad River
Gautam Naik/GoogleMaps
French Broad River Way, French Broad River Wy, Asheville, NC 28804, USA
Christopher Doyle/GoogleMaps
Tubing down the historic French Broad River has been a beloved summer tradition for generations of Asheville residents. While the waters do pick up in certain areas, options for entering include along the Hominy Creek River Park in Asheville, Carrier Park, or Jean Webb River Park (for a shorter ride). You'll lounge and float pasts mountains, breweries, and forests. During summer weekends tubing is a popular activity meaning things might get quite social! This is a great day trip for larger groups.

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4. New River
Ralph Schmidt/GoogleMaps
New River, North Carolina, USA
Justin S/GoogleMaps
A popular pastime for App State students or Boone residents is tubing along the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. For a customized tubing experience, several outfitters like High Mountain Expeditions offer custom, hard-bottomed tubes that make navigating the waters easy (the water can range from two to eight feet). You'll find that this gorgeous river can be as peaceful or as exhilarating as you'd like.
5. Green River
Kiesha Jean/Flickr
Green River, North Carolina, USA
Kiesha Green/Flickr
While the rapids of Green River near Saluda attract adventurous whitewater rafters, portions of the river are also gentle enough for a day of tubing. You'll coast through dense forests near Green River Gorge, for tubing and slight navigation, Wilderness Cove Tubing is open seven days a week and operate around when the river dam is released (for best tubing times). Kayakers love this river too!
6. Cape Fear River
02seedoc/TripAdvisor
Cape Fear River, North Carolina, USA
Cason Stalls/GoogleMaps
Tubing the Cape Fear might seem intimidating but Cape Fear River Adventures makes it easy. Located in Lillington, the entry point and ride guides you along two unspoiled miles of lazy river featuring coastal forests and a wildlife sighting or two. In comparison to its mountain counterparts, the Cape Fear is deep enough to where you'll really be floating and relaxing the entire journey.

If you haven’t ever gone river tubing in North Carolina yet, add it to your summer bucket list! What are your favorite places in North Carolina for river tubing? Let us know in the comments below!

And for more fun ways to experience North Carolina by water, check out these 10 epic water-bound expeditions in North Carolina.

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More to Explore

River Tubing in North Carolina & Related Info

Sarah | March 14, 2021

What are some things to do outdoors in North Carolina?

As evidenced in the article above, the best way to experience the Great Outdoors in North Carolina is, of course, the water. And High Mountain Expeditions has a river tubing adventure that’s the perfect way to do just that. River tubing is fun for the entire family. Kids will enjoy the day at least as much as you do! You'll create one of the best memories on this fun and relaxing trip down the New River tubing in North Carolina.

What can I do on the rivers besides tubing in North Carolina?

Whitewater Expeditions offers a variety of ways to get out on the water to enjoy the scenic New River. From whitewater rafting trips to kayak and canoe excursions, there are trips available for all skill levels. At New River State Park, located in Laurel Springs, visitors can canoe and kayak on the New River as well as spend the night at special canoe-in campsites located right on the river. Several access points also offer paddle-in camping sites and one access point offers RV camping, tent camping, and paddle-in camping.

What are some of the most unique rivers in North Carolina?

Of all the rivers in the Tar Heel State, the scenic New River is easily the most unique and wondrous. Geographically speaking, the New River is one of the oldest rivers on earth. Some even believe this North Carolina-born river is older than the Nile or the Amazon. In fact, the New River predates the forming of the Appalachian Mountain range, of which the Blue Ridge Mountains are a part. The interesting thing is that the Appalachian Mountain range runs in a Southwest to Northeast pattern, and the New River simply doesn't follow suit. Its path travels in a South to North direction, and so does the water flow. If you want to see this unique river for yourself, all you have to do is take a little trip over to Laurel Springs, a small community outside of West Jefferson. 

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