{"id":24828,"date":"2025-07-15T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=24828"},"modified":"2025-07-30T12:30:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:30:54","slug":"great-colorado-summer-tubing-floats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/great-colorado-summer-tubing-floats\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Colorado summer tubing floats: Where to go and what to know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Tubers
Tubers enjoy the Montrose Whitewater Park. Photo: City of Montrose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s nothing better on a hot summer day than plopping yourself in a tube and floating down one of Colorado\u2019s many waterways. Whether you\u2019re looking to relax in a lazy river or adventure through a few rapids, Colorado has summer tubing floats for you.<\/p>\n

Remember, though, it\u2019s your responsibility to be safe by knowing your skill level and being prepared.<\/p>\n

New to the mountains?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

First things first. Mountain rivers and creeks look majestic, but they can also be deadly, especially as the winter snow melts and heads down through the waterways \u2014 called runoff.<\/p>\n

Runoff usually begins in May or early June but can vary dramatically by region and river. The amount of upriver snowpack, how fast it melts and geographic characteristics of the terrain all play a factor in a river\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n

Remember that if the water is high and the river is moving quickly, getting out of the river will be much more difficult and banks may be unstable. It is also more difficult to avoid river hazards such as tree branches or rocks because the water is moving swiftly. In addition, the water is much colder during runoff.<\/p>\n

Tubing should be avoided in the runoff season.<\/em><\/p>\n

Upstream rainfall, tributaries, dams and vegetation also affect how and when a river becomes \u201cfloatable.\u201d River flows and levels can change within hours.<\/p>\n

Lower flows also may be dangerous and can make for a rocky trip resulting in popped tubes and twisted ankles if you\u2019re not prepared.<\/p>\n

Check with local park rangers, local fire districts or visit the\u00a0U.S. Geological Survey station report<\/a>\u00a0for current water levels and flows. Sometimes local outdoor shops that sell tubes also provide local river floating advice.<\/p>\n

A few other tips when planning:<\/strong><\/h2>\n