Floating down a natural lazy river is a quintessential North Carolina experience. 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, we recommend planning an adventure at these awesome lazy rivers in North Carolina. Grab an inner tube, a cold beverage, some water shoes, and let’s get floating on these natural lazy rivers!
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- Deep Creek
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. For more information on Deep Creek, check out our article here.
- Dan River
Flickr / Alex Ford 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’s several great islands for chilling and taking it in and also some beautiful natural rock structures hanging over the river. Learn more about Dan River, as well as some other epic tubing expeditions in North Carolina, in our comprehensive guide here.
- French Broad River
Flickr / Melissa Wilkins 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.
- New River
Flickr / Matthew Paulson 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).
- Green River
Flickr / Keisha Jean 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).
- Cape Fear River
Cape Fear River Adventures 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 had this experience yet, it’s a must! What are your favorite lazy rivers in North Carolina for tubing? Let us know in the comments below!
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. For more information on Deep Creek, check out our article here.
Flickr / Alex Ford
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’s several great islands for chilling and taking it in and also some beautiful natural rock structures hanging over the river. Learn more about Dan River, as well as some other epic tubing expeditions in North Carolina, in our comprehensive guide here.
Flickr / Melissa Wilkins
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.
Flickr / Matthew Paulson
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).
Flickr / Keisha Jean
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).
Cape Fear River Adventures
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.
And for more fun ways to experience North Carolina by water, check out these 10 epic, water-bound expeditions.
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Address: North Carolina, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers In North Carolina
March 14, 2021
Sarah
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
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?
