5 Lazy River Summer Tubing Trips In Northern California To Start Planning Now

There are tons of rivers in California, but not every river is ideal for a lazy day float. We’ve spent tons of summers exploring NorCal’s many rivers and can tell you the best ones for floating. You’ll want to go with a group of people and bring two cars. First, you’ll both drive to where you’ll end your float and leave one car there so you don’t have to walk back. Then drive to a parking lot close to your launching point. Floating down a lazy river is a quintessential summer activity in Northern California. So grab an inner tube and a cold drink, and plan your Northern California river float.

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Launch your inner tube at Irvine Finch Boat Launch, located in Cohasset.

Sacramento River, California, USA

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This area of the Sacramento River is teeming with life. It’s not uncommon to see beavers swimming in the water and eagles perched on branches of trees next to the riverbank.

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This section of the American River runs right next to the communities east of Sacramento.

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American River, California, USA

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There are many little beaches and sandbars where you can have a mid-float picnic or rest on the sand. Start at the river access point off of Sunrise Boulevard and float all the way to River Bend Park. Especially in late summer, this stretch of the American River is slow, making it an easy float that is great for families.

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Launch from the Truckee River Rafting Co. where you can rent an inner tube or raft, and spend the day floating to the River Ranch Lodge & Resort.

Truckee River, United States

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When you arrive at the restaurant, you’ll see guides helping guide rafters and tubers towards the shore. This is a great spot to end your trip with a meal and a drink on the large outside patio.

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The Russian River is a beautiful and calm river to float in the warm months.

Russian River, California, USA

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If you want to float the entire day, continue on to Sunset Beach, which is another 2-3 hours down the river.

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Feather River, California, USA

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Now, the Feather River can be pretty wild, but there is a section you can float. And as the warmer months roll on, the river slows down a lot. The Middle Fork of the Feather River, near Clio and Quincy, has a stretch of river you can float.

Keep in mind that the river offers no shade, so it’s best to go in the morning to avoid the hottest time of the day. Be sure to bring hats, glasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water to stay cool and hydrated. Consider getting a dry sack to keep your clothing dry. If you want to ensure a slow river float, go later in the summer since the water runs more slowly as the season rolls on.

So, where do you like to go river rafting in Northern California?