West Virginia is well-known for its whitewater rapids, but if you’re in the mood for something slower-paced, there are plenty of places in the state for flatwater fun. Spend a lazy afternoon on an inner tube, floating down the river. Below are a few of the best lazy rivers in West Virginia, and companies that can set you up with the perfect West Virginia river tubing experience.
- Potomac River
Flickr/Glen Mazza The Potomac River offers a mix of whitewater and flatwater for your tubing adventure. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is located in Purcellville, Virginia, and can hook you up with either one. You will float down the Potomac River, past historic and scenic Old Town Harpers Ferry, and through the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers while experiencing the thrills of beginner class I-III rapids. A shuttle will pick you up at the end of your adventure. Other companies that can set you up with the perfect day of tubing include River Riders, Inc. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, 37410 Adventure Center Ln, Hillsboro, VA 20132, USA
- Cheat River
Facebook/BlackwaterOutdoorsAdventures You can cool off on a hot summer day tubing the flatwater of the Cheat River. Blackwater Outdoors in Partons will hook you up with everything you need for your outdoor adventure. Rent a cooler tube for the ultimate lazy river experience. Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, 60 Location Rd, Parsons, WV 26287, USA
- New River
Flickr/Bill Dickinson The New River passes underneath the long, scenic New River Bridge. Check out Cantrell Ultimate Rafting for your day of fun. Cantrell’s is a family-owned and operated West Virginia company situated near the village of Fayetteville and the village of Hinton. Cantrell Ultimate Rafting, 49 Cantrell Dr, Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA
- Greenbrier River
Flickr/Angie The Greenbrier is the longest undammed river in the eastern United States. It runs a total of 173 miles and supplies the New River with an estimated 30% of its volume. Greenbrier River Campground in Alderson, West Virginia, offers day trips of various lengths from Caldwell to Alderson and the river provides a variety of challenges depending on the season. Greenbrier River Campground, Cabins and River Trips, 4316 Highland Trail, Alderson, WV 24910, USA
- Tygart River
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn For tubing on the Tygart River, give Taylor County Adventure Club in Grafton a try. Offering tons of outdoor recreation opportunities both in the water and on land, it’s one of the best places to go tubing in West Virginia! Grafton, WV 26354, USA
- Elk River
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn If you don’t have an entire afternoon to devote to a float trip, check out the annual Elk River Canoe and Kayak Float, typically held in July. The float departs from the Sutton Dam in Sutton and ends in Gassaway. The float is about 5 miles and takes between two to three hours to complete. The event is free and open to all. Sutton, WV 26601, USA
Take one of the best floats in West Virginia this summer to enjoy life at a slower, more leisurely pace. Do you have a favorite place to go West Virginia river tubing? Tell us about it on our nomination page, and you might see your suggestion featured in an upcoming article.
Flickr/Glen Mazza
The Potomac River offers a mix of whitewater and flatwater for your tubing adventure. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is located in Purcellville, Virginia, and can hook you up with either one. You will float down the Potomac River, past historic and scenic Old Town Harpers Ferry, and through the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers while experiencing the thrills of beginner class I-III rapids. A shuttle will pick you up at the end of your adventure. Other companies that can set you up with the perfect day of tubing include River Riders, Inc.
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, 37410 Adventure Center Ln, Hillsboro, VA 20132, USA
Facebook/BlackwaterOutdoorsAdventures
You can cool off on a hot summer day tubing the flatwater of the Cheat River. Blackwater Outdoors in Partons will hook you up with everything you need for your outdoor adventure. Rent a cooler tube for the ultimate lazy river experience.
Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, 60 Location Rd, Parsons, WV 26287, USA
Flickr/Bill Dickinson
The New River passes underneath the long, scenic New River Bridge. Check out Cantrell Ultimate Rafting for your day of fun. Cantrell’s is a family-owned and operated West Virginia company situated near the village of Fayetteville and the village of Hinton.
Cantrell Ultimate Rafting, 49 Cantrell Dr, Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA
Flickr/Angie
The Greenbrier is the longest undammed river in the eastern United States. It runs a total of 173 miles and supplies the New River with an estimated 30% of its volume. Greenbrier River Campground in Alderson, West Virginia, offers day trips of various lengths from Caldwell to Alderson and the river provides a variety of challenges depending on the season.
Greenbrier River Campground, Cabins and River Trips, 4316 Highland Trail, Alderson, WV 24910, USA
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
For tubing on the Tygart River, give Taylor County Adventure Club in Grafton a try. Offering tons of outdoor recreation opportunities both in the water and on land, it’s one of the best places to go tubing in West Virginia!
Grafton, WV 26354, USA
If you don’t have an entire afternoon to devote to a float trip, check out the annual Elk River Canoe and Kayak Float, typically held in July. The float departs from the Sutton Dam in Sutton and ends in Gassaway. The float is about 5 miles and takes between two to three hours to complete. The event is free and open to all.
Sutton, WV 26601, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers in West Virginia May 26, 2022 Katie Lawrence Where can I go tubing in West Virginia? When it comes to tubing in West Virginia, it’s hard to beat the Harpers Ferry area. River & Trail Outfitters has three locations: two on the Potomac River and one on the Shenandoah River, with float trips ranging in length from one to three hours. The Shenandoah River float is the most popular trip, as it’s mellow enough that kids as young as four can hop in a tube and enjoy the ride. One of the Potomac River trips is whitewater tubing, with Class II-III rapids offering an exhilarating adventure. The other Potomac float is more peaceful, taking place on a lesser-known section of the river. What are the best waterparks in West Virginia? If you’re in search of the best waterparks in West Virginia to visit on a hot summer day, you’ll be happy to learn we have several to choose from. One of our favorites is Waves of Fun in Hurricane. The massive wave pool will make you feel like you’re at the ocean and there are lots of thrilling slides to keep the whole family having fun all day long. What are the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia? Just because West Virginia is a landlocked state, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good old-fashioned day at the beach. That’s right — you don’t have to travel to Virginia or North Carolina to visit a gorgeous beach! One of the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia is Bee Run Beach, located on the pristine Sutton Lake. Boasting pearly white sands, this beach also has its very own marina and playground. Gather up the family, put together some picnic lunches, and get ready to soak up some of that lovely West Virginia sunshine. You may never want to leave!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lazy Rivers in West Virginia
May 26, 2022
Katie Lawrence
Where can I go tubing in West Virginia? When it comes to tubing in West Virginia, it’s hard to beat the Harpers Ferry area. River & Trail Outfitters has three locations: two on the Potomac River and one on the Shenandoah River, with float trips ranging in length from one to three hours. The Shenandoah River float is the most popular trip, as it’s mellow enough that kids as young as four can hop in a tube and enjoy the ride. One of the Potomac River trips is whitewater tubing, with Class II-III rapids offering an exhilarating adventure. The other Potomac float is more peaceful, taking place on a lesser-known section of the river. What are the best waterparks in West Virginia? If you’re in search of the best waterparks in West Virginia to visit on a hot summer day, you’ll be happy to learn we have several to choose from. One of our favorites is Waves of Fun in Hurricane. The massive wave pool will make you feel like you’re at the ocean and there are lots of thrilling slides to keep the whole family having fun all day long. What are the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia? Just because West Virginia is a landlocked state, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good old-fashioned day at the beach. That’s right — you don’t have to travel to Virginia or North Carolina to visit a gorgeous beach! One of the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia is Bee Run Beach, located on the pristine Sutton Lake. Boasting pearly white sands, this beach also has its very own marina and playground. Gather up the family, put together some picnic lunches, and get ready to soak up some of that lovely West Virginia sunshine. You may never want to leave!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to tubing in West Virginia, it’s hard to beat the Harpers Ferry area. River & Trail Outfitters has three locations: two on the Potomac River and one on the Shenandoah River, with float trips ranging in length from one to three hours. The Shenandoah River float is the most popular trip, as it’s mellow enough that kids as young as four can hop in a tube and enjoy the ride. One of the Potomac River trips is whitewater tubing, with Class II-III rapids offering an exhilarating adventure. The other Potomac float is more peaceful, taking place on a lesser-known section of the river.
What are the best waterparks in West Virginia?
If you’re in search of the best waterparks in West Virginia to visit on a hot summer day, you’ll be happy to learn we have several to choose from. One of our favorites is Waves of Fun in Hurricane. The massive wave pool will make you feel like you’re at the ocean and there are lots of thrilling slides to keep the whole family having fun all day long.
What are the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia?
Just because West Virginia is a landlocked state, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good old-fashioned day at the beach. That’s right — you don’t have to travel to Virginia or North Carolina to visit a gorgeous beach! One of the most beautiful beaches in West Virginia is Bee Run Beach, located on the pristine Sutton Lake. Boasting pearly white sands, this beach also has its very own marina and playground. Gather up the family, put together some picnic lunches, and get ready to soak up some of that lovely West Virginia sunshine. You may never want to leave!
