Tubing is a popular summer activity in Indiana. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your family, enjoy nature, and cool off from the heat, you may want to consider it.
Luckily, you can find several popular spots to do some floating. In addition, you can find outfitters to provide you with everything you need, including a ride to the starting spot.
Today, we’re sharing some of the best places to go tubing in Indiana. Which one is right for you and your crew?
Let’s look and see!
Tubing is when you hop onto an inflatable tube and ride it down a river, stream, or other waterway. This is a leisurely activity that’s typically done in large groups, primarily family and friends. You can sit or lie in the tube, but your hands and feet help you to steer and navigate through the slow-moving current.
It’s not uncommon for participants to bring coolers with drinks and snacks to stop and enjoy. It’s a great way to relax, soak up the sun, and make memories with your besties. If you’re looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a tubing trip may be exactly what you need.
Pro Tip: Before heading out to the Hoosier State, be sure to check if Indiana Dunes National Park is a waste of time!
The best time to go tubing in Indiana is during the summer months, from June to August. We recommend booking your trip during the week. The weekends can be hectic for companies organizing these trips.
Not only will you likely have to wait longer, but you’ll be with many more people. This can be challenging for those wanting to enjoy peace and quiet or the sounds of nature. Large groups with kids will enjoy themselves, and their screams can drown out and scare away wildlife.
It’s also important to remember that this is a seasonal activity. Most companies don’t fully open until after Memorial Day and close up shop as temperatures drop in early fall. If tubing in Indiana is on your bucket list, plan accordingly.
Want to give tubing in Indiana a try? We’ve found some of the best places to go tubing in the Hoosier State. Let’s get started!
White River Kayak & Tubing is an excellent option for those on the northeast side of Indianapolis. They offer a variety of tubing trips along the West Fork of the White River. Their season starts in April and ends in early fall, typically sometime in October.
They have several tubing trip options, ranging from 60 to 90 minutes or four to five hours. You’ll rent everything from them, including a cooler tube for your drinks or any gear you want to bring. Prices for these trips start at $25 to $30 but vary based on the time of year and when you’re booking.
The Sugar Valley Canoe Trip Ltd is right down the road from Turkey Run State Park, one of Indiana’s best state parks. Their three-mile tubing trips are only $15 and last approximately two to three hours.
During your trip with Sugar Valley Canoe Trip Ltd, you’ll float your way through Turkey Run State Park. You’ll pass under two covered bridges and a suspension bridge. These trips can get very crowded, especially on weekends. If you’re looking for a more extended trip, you must register for one of their canoe or kayak trips.
Riverside Rentals provides canoeing, kayaking, and lazy river tubing trips in Northwestern Indiana. While they offer a couple of different tube options, the route remains the same no matter which tube you choose. It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete their 3.5-mile trip.
One important note is that they’re only open on weekends during April, May, September, and October. However, they’re open seven days a week from June through August. Unfortunately, tubing season typically doesn’t start until June due to the lower water levels and temperatures.
Canoe Country is another popular place to go tubing in Indiana. It sits on the outskirts of the Northeast side of Indianapolis in Daleville, Indiana. They have two tubing options; both are fantastic ways to experience the White River.
Whether you choose the half-day or two-to-three-hour trip is entirely up to you. Respectively, these are four and two-mile trips. If you choose the half-day, we strongly encourage you to pack a lunch and rent a cooler tube. You can stop along the way and enjoy a picnic, but make sure you practice leave no trace and take all of your trash with you.
Clements Canoes Outdoor Center is in Waveland, Indiana, and features a five-mile-long tubing trip. These trips are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day and typically take three to five hours. Costs for these trips are between $22 and $25 per tube. The more people in your group, the cheaper you can get your tube.
This operation has been serving customers for more than 60 years. They’ve got the entire operation down to a science and can help ensure you and your crew have the best experience possible.
Tubing is a fantastic way to make priceless memories with your loved ones. Imagine floating down an almost never-ending lazy river at your favorite waterpark. Rent a cooler tube, and you can also easily enjoy drinks and snacks as your worries and stress float away. Remember to pack the sunblock, or you’ll go home with a sunburn as your souvenir.
