The 5 Best Places to Go Tubing in Colorado

If you’re looking for the best tubing spots in Colorado, you’re in for a treat! Colorado offers a range of tubing adventures, from laid-back river floats to some more intense rapids.

As a recent Colorado transplant, I’m always on the hunt for the best things to do in the state, and this list has a pretty good selection of some of the best tubing Colorado has to offer!

So, without further ado, here are some of the best tubing places in Colorado!

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Best Tubing in Colorado

As a Florida native who just recently moved to Colorado, I know what a treat it is to enjoy the lakes and rivers in Colorado without worrying about all the creatures that lurk beneath the waters.

So grab your water shoes, bug spray, and sunscreen, and check out some of the best places to go tubing in Colorado featuring my tips for parking and where to start!

1. Clear Creek, Golden

People tubing in Clear Creek River in Golden, Colorado.

Address: Clear Creek Whitewater Park, 1201 10th St, Golden, CO 80401
Parking: Free parking is available at the 10th Street Lot or in nearby public parking areas. Try to arrive early, especially on weekends, as this spot fills up quickly!
Starting Point: Most tubers start at Clear Creek Whitewater Park, but if you’re looking for a shorter, calmer float, begin upstream at Lions Park and float back to the park.

Clear Creek in Golden is a go-to spot for tubing because it’s only about 40 minutes from Denver, and the perfect spot to cool offer after a day hike! I would recommend going in July or August, as the waters are a tad chilly in June. For all things rentals and shuttles, check out Adventure West!

And if you’re looking to grab a bite after your tubing adventure, head over to Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza or Table Mountain Grill & Cantina!

2. Yampa River, Steamboat Springs

Address: Fetcher Park, 1801 Mt Werner Rd, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Parking: Park at Fetcher Park or Dr. Rich Weiss Park. Both locations offer free parking, but spaces can fill up quickly in the summer!
Starting Point: The tubing trip usually begins at Fetcher Park, floating downstream for about 1.5 hours to James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge

For a relaxing float, the Yampa River is perfect. You can drift lazily through Steamboat Springs while enjoying stunning views of the mountains.

The route from Fetcher Park to the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge is my new favorite loop — it took me and my boyfriend around 1.5 hours to go around. You can also rent tubes at Backdoor Sports if you don’t have your own!

End your day at the Yampa River by grabbing a bite at the Yampa River Icehouse!

Top Tip: You can also shuttle in Steamboat using the free city transit, but keep in mind that bus drivers will not let people who are soaking wet or inflated tubes on the bus (my boyfriend and I learned that the hard way!).

3. Upper Colorado River, Dotsero

Address: Cotton Ln, Gypsum, CO 81637
Parking: Look for the Turtle Tubing parking lot
Starting Point: Start your float from Dotsero Landing and enjoy a 2-3 hour float downstream.

Heading out to Gypsum for tubing makes for a great Denver day trip or weekend getaway, located just 2.5 hours outside of the city. The Upper Colorado River near Dotsero is a calmer and more quieter river than many of the others, which gives you the perfect opportunity to take in all of Colorado’s beauty while floating downstream for around 3.5 hours.

If you’re looking for tube rentals and transportation, check out Turtle Tubing!

Top Tips: Keep in mind that you are required to wear a life jacket on the Colorado River, If you end up going through Turtle Tubing, they do provide you with a life jacket.

4. Cache La Poudre River, Fort Collins

Ray's River Rentals in La Poudre River — *Source: Ray’s River Rentals Facebook Page*

Address: Gateway Natural Area, 5216 Poudre Canyon Rd, Bellvue, CO 80512
Parking: The Gateway Natural Area has paid parking, and it’s the most convenient place to park. Parking is $6 per vehicle, and it tends to fill up, so plan to arrive early.
Starting Point: Most tubers start from Gateway Natural Area and float to Picnic Rock. You can also park at Picnic Rock to shorten your float or do a quick shuttle back to your vehicle

The Cache La Poudre River near Fort Collins is such a beautiful river and all-around fun day trip! If you plan on going down the route from Gateway Natural Area to Picnic Rock, it’s about about 3 miles long.

Plan to visit in mid-July-August for the best water temps and weather (we went in late July and it was perfect!), and if you need to rent tubes, head over to Ray’s River Rentals!

5. Boulder Creek, Boulder

Address: Eben G. Fine Park, 101 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
Parking: Parking is available at Eben G. Fine Park and surrounding streets, though it can get crowded, especially on weekends. You can also do paid street parking if you can’t find a spot in the lot.
Starting Point: Begin your tubing adventure at Eben G. Fine Park, floating down to Central Park. The Boulder Creek Path runs alongside the water, making it easy to walk back to your starting point

Boulder Creek is a popular tubing destination for locals and visitors alike. The stretch between Eben G. Fine Park and Central Park has a short but sweet float that takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.

My boyfriend and I found this spot very easy for tubing multiple times around, because once you’re finished you can walk on the Boulder Creek path that lets you easily walk back upstream!

After our tubing adventure, we ended up grabbing some late lunch at River and Woods. And, if you still have energy, you could check out some of these epic Boulder day hikes!

Fun Fact: In July, Boulder does an annual “Tube to Work Day” using this route!

Best Tubing in Colorado Recap

As you can see, for anyone who loves tubing or spending time in the great outdoors, you cannot go wrong in Colorado, as it’s one of the most relaxing ways to cool off to beat the Colorado summer heat!

I hope this list gives you a better idea of how to best enjoy some of the best tubing destinations in the great state of Colorado!

More Colorado Resources

If you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Colorado, head on over to these travel guides!