Thinking about tubing in Charlotte, NC? If you’re looking to cool off this summer in Charlotte, NC, or take a short day trip to cool off in the river, here are several places you can enjoy a day on the river with friends or solo! The only requirements? Have fun and stay safe on the water!
A few friendly tips before you go tubing:
- Check the business’s social media page and website below before going to be sure they are open.
- Book before you go (many places require this, but some allow walk-ups the day of).
- Sign your waiver(s) before you go to save time.
- Take sunscreen, water, bug spray, bathing suits, towels, and water shoes in case rocks are present. (Flip flops are not the best idea here!)
- Do NOT take anything valuable that could get wet or lost in the river.
- There are age requirements for children to tube, so be sure to read the FAQ pages. In some cases, children may be allowed at a specific age, but also need to be accompanied by an adult.
- All children under 13 years old are required to wear life jackets on the water.
- Water levels and conditions on the river can really impact how long your tubing adventure will last. Be prepared to be flexible!
2026 Places for River Tubing: Charlotte, NC
Cape Fear River Adventures
At Cape Fear River Adventures, you can enjoy river tubing, kayaking, and canoeing trips near Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville, NC. They offer guided trips, rentals, and classes to meet every experience level and need.
- Kids ages 3+ are welcome here.
- Regular tube rental is $39
- Premium tube rental is $44
- Child tube rental (age 3-7) is $34
- All prices include tube rental, life jacket, shuttle, and safety brief
- Opens May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Address: 100 South Main Street, Lillington, NC 27546
You can follow Cape Fear Adventures Facebook page for daily trip schedules and pricing.
Wilderness Cove
At Wilderness Cove, a short 1.5-hour drive from Charlotte, in Saluda, North Carolina, you can camp out, enjoy a day of tubing on the Green River, and enjoy the many amenities Wilderness Cove campground offers.
Tubing will be available on select days with advanced registration from Friday, May 22, 2026, to Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Address: 3772 Green River Cove Road, Saluda, NC 28773
You can follow Wilderness Cove’s Outdoor Adventures Facebook page for the daily updated schedule to book your trip. Their 2026 season guide for tubing is handy, too.
Catawba River Outdoors
At Catawba River Outdoors in Marion, North Carolina, you can spend a day tubing on the river.
- Children age 3+ MUST weigh 30+ pounds, be accompanied by two adults, be attached to both adults with straps they provide, and wear a life jacket.
- You can pay cash or use a card.
- Adults and Kids $25 each for a 2-hour run (they prefer cash)
- Group Rate $20 for a 2-hour run.
- Reservations are not required unless you have a party of 20+
- They open for the season on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Address: 2334 US 221 Business North, Marion, NC 28752
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Follow the Catawba River Outdoors Facebook page for more details.
Asheville Adventure Co.
At Asheville Adventure Co., about two hours from Charlotte, you can float down the French Broad River through the mountains. Their Asheville Tubing Co. offers tubing, plus the Adventure Co. has white water rafting, kayaking, and more!
- Children ages 4+ are welcome.
- Cost starts at $33 per person and includes the tube rental, personal flotation device, and shuttle service.
- Reserve your trip in advance.
- Opens May 14th, 2026.
Address: 521 Amboy Road, Asheville, NC 28806
To learn more, follow the Asheville Adventure Company Instagram.
Zen Tubing
Zen Tubing, also in Asheville, NC, offers tubing down the French Broad River. They have two locations in Asheville to choose from.
We went tubing at Zen! Read all about our experience in the Kidding Around Review of Zen Tubing.
- Children ages 4+ are welcome.
- Cost is $30+ per person and includes the tube rental, life jacket, free parking, and a shuttle ride.
- They open on Memorial Day Weekend, 2026.
Address: 1648 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28704
Follow Zen Tubing on social media.
High Mountain Expeditions
At High Mountain Expeditions in Banner Elk, NC you can go river tubing on the New River, canoe, kayak, and spend the day caving in Worley’s Cave.
- Children ages 3+ are welcome.
- Cost is $25 per person
- Cooler tubes are $10
Address: 3149 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, NC 28604
To learn about their pricing and book an adventure, follow the High Mountain Expeditions social media.
Brevard Tubing
Opening May 23, 2026, Brevard Tubing is about 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC.
We had a blast when we went tubing in Brevard. Check it out in our Kidding Around Review of Brevard Tubing.
- Special tube all day for $30
- For 2026, they’ll have an All You Can Float pass for $30, with locals being $25
- Must be 4 years old to tube; life jackets required for kids ages 12 and under, which Brevard Tubing provides
- No reservations needed
Everett Road, Pisgah Forest, NC 828.515.3556
Check out this fun reel from Brevard Tubing:
Cherokee Rapids River Tubing
Cherokee Rapids River is about 3 hours from Charlotte and offers tubing on the Oconaluftee River.
- Children must be 5+ to participate and they strongly advise against pregnant women or non-swimmers floating.
- Cost is $14 per person and includes the rental, life jacket, and shuttle.
- They are open daily starting on Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Weather and river conditions permitting.
Address: 1681 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Follow Cherokee Rapids River Tubing on social media for details.
Zaloo’s Canoes
At Zaloo’s Canoes, about two hours north of Charlotte in Jefferson, NC, you can tube, canoe, and kayak down the New River. They open on May 16, 2026.
- Cost for the 2-hour adult tube is $20
- Cost for the 2-hour kid (up to 70 pounds) tube is $15
- Tube rentals include paddles, and life jackets are required for everyone under the age of 13
Address: 3874 NC Hwy 16 S, Jefferson, NC 28640
Follow Zaloo’s Canoes on their Facebook page for booking and hours of operation.
Green River Tubing Co
Green River Tubing Co. is back and open for the 2026 season! They open on Friday, May 29, 2026.
- Cost: $10 for 3 miles, $15 for 6 miles.
- Bring your own life jacket if possible.
- Children must be 42” tall to participate
Address: 5200 Green River Cove Road, Saluda, NC
Palmetto Outdoor
At Palmetto Outdoor, only a 1.5-hour drive from Charlotte, you can tube the lower Saluda River.
- Children must be 10+ years to tube at Palmetto Outdoor.
- You can book your experience on their website before midnight the night before you visit or bring cash only for walk-ups the day of.
- They are open six days a week from May 16, 2026, until Labor Day every year. Closed on Wednesdays. They are open Sunday to Friday, 12 pm to 3 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
- Cost ranges from $25-$90 per tube, depending on your needs. Cash only for walk-ups.
- You can NOT bring your own tube.
Address: 131 Alexander Road, West Columbia, SC 29169
Follow Palmetto Outdoor on Facebook for pricing and booking.
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
At Deep Creek Tube Center in Bryson City, NC, about a 3-hour drive from Charlotte, NC, you can enjoy tubing, camping, and gem mining.
We went tubing on Deep Creek! Check out our experience in our Kidding Around Review Tubing Deep Creek.
- Children are welcome, but it is recommended that the lower section of the river is best for smaller children.
- They open for the 2026 season on April 2nd and are open for tubing until November 1st, 2026.
- Spring & Fall hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm, and they are open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm.
- Summer hours are every day from 9 am to 8 pm.
- Cost is $8 per tube, and you get the rental all day.
- All children 13 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket while tubing.
Address: 1040 West Deep Creek Rd. Bryson City, NC 28713
Follow Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground on Facebook for more details.
Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft
At Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft in Cherokee, NC, about a 3-hour drive from Charlotte, NC, you can tube and raft down the Oconaluftee River.
- Children ages 5+ are welcome.
- They are open daily, starting on Memorial Day weekend, from 10 am to 5 pm until Labor Day.
- Cost is $14 per person.
Address: 1847 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
Follow Smoky Mountain Tubing on Facebook for more details.
Tar River Life
At Tar River Life, at their Bunn, NC location, about 3 hours from Charlotte, NC, you can tube and kayak down the river.
- Children must be 5+ to participate, and all children under 8 years of age have to be buckled to an adult.
- Cost is $25 per person and the adult tube comes with a cup holder, headrest, and paddle. The smaller tubes for children also have headrests.
- The ride is 1.5 miles long.
- Groups of 15-30 people get a 10% discount.
- Groups of 31 or more get a 15% discount.
- Opens May 15th, 2026, open weekends, Friday – Sunday, until the end of October.
Address: 3240 Sledge Road, Bunn, NC 27508
Follow Tar River Life’s Facebook page for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does river tubing season start near Charlotte?
Most spots open between mid-May and Memorial Day weekend. The earliest opener is Deep Creek Tube Center in Bryson City, which runs April 2 through November 1. Asheville Adventure Co. opens May 14, Zaloo’s Canoes and Palmetto Outdoor open May 16, and Catawba River Outdoors opens May 21. Many others — including Zen Tubing, Brevard Tubing, Cape Fear River Adventures, Cherokee Rapids, and Green River Tubing Co. — open on or around Memorial Day weekend.
What rivers can you tube near Charlotte?
Several rivers are accessible within a few hours of Charlotte: the French Broad River in Asheville (Zen Tubing, Asheville Adventure Co.), the Green River near Saluda (Wilderness Cove, Green River Tubing Co.), the Catawba River in Marion, the New River near Banner Elk and Jefferson (High Mountain Expeditions, Zaloo’s Canoes), the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee (Cherokee Rapids, Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft), Deep Creek in Bryson City, the Lower Saluda River in South Carolina (Palmetto Outdoor), the Cape Fear River near Lillington, and the Tar River near Bunn.
How far is river tubing from Charlotte?
Drive times vary by destination:
- ~1.5 hours: Wilderness Cove (Saluda, NC) and Palmetto Outdoor (West Columbia, SC)
- ~1 hour 40 min: Catawba River Outdoors (Marion, NC)
- ~2 hours: Asheville Adventure Co., Zen Tubing (Asheville), and Zaloo’s Canoes (Jefferson, NC)
- ~2.5 hours: Brevard Tubing and High Mountain Expeditions (Banner Elk, NC)
- ~3 hours: Cape Fear River Adventures (Lillington), Cherokee Rapids, Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft, Deep Creek Tube Center (Bryson City), and Tar River Life (Bunn, NC)
What’s the closest tubing to Charlotte, NC?
Wilderness Cove in Saluda and Green River Tubing CO. in Saluda are the closest options at about 1.5 hours away. Catawba River Outdoors in Marion is also nearby at roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. All three offer tube rentals, life jackets, and shuttles.
Did we miss a place? If so, let us know, and keep checking back for more spots to enjoy this summer!
Find great river tubing spots all over the southeast in this list of our favorite river tubing spots sorted by state!