Tubing is a lot of fun but anything with water carries with it the risk of drowning. There are things to watch out for:
There are many potential hazards you might encounter in a river. Research and ideally walk, drive or prerun the river. Determine hazard and mandatory portage areas.
Logs can snag onto you can pull you under. Rivers should be walks or otherwise pre-inspected. Steer clear of logs. If needed, get out of the water and walk around them.
Some rivers present rapids hazards. Little waves and bumps are fun, but rapids can flip a tube and results in a head injury and drowning. Pre-inspect river before floating it. Portage around rapids.
If you did your research, these shouldn't be a surprise. Know about these hazards and know how to avoid them. Set a safety point (ideally manned) where everyone gets out of the water before hitting hazards.
Fun floats that look like swans or commando rafts are great in pools but won't survive a poke from a stick. These can easily get entangles in river debris and will leave you swimming. Consider having extra capacity in case a tube or raft develops a leak.
Sturdy shoes are vital. You may need to portage your tube and don't want to do so barefoot or in flip flops
Gotta have it, even on a Tube.
Have it and have scouts wear it. A hat is also a good idea.
If you find yourself out of a canoe. Keep feet downstream, head up and aim for shore.
Keeping your feet in front of you reduces risk of foot/ankle from getting caught in rocks or vegetation.
Share emergency plan with everyone.
Have a meet up point if group gets separated.
Plum Boat Launch to Fall City Park: outdoorproject.com/united-states/washington/snoqualmie-river-float
Discovery Pass required for Plum Access Area
3.3 Miles
2.5 to 4 hours of float time based on water levels
Map Source: USGS
Fall City Park to Tolt-MacDonald Park Float
10 mile Float
All Day Float
Map Source: USGS
Yakima River south of Ellensburg WA
Put in: Umptanum Recreation Site
Take out: Roza Recreation Site - Pull out before hitting dam
Time: 2-4 hours
Map Source: USGS
Put in: Lewisville Regional Park
Take out: Daybreak Park
Take out: La Center Water Trail Park & Kayak Launch East Fork Lewis
River
low water levels make this a better ride in June/July than August
Float time from Lewisville Park to Daybreak Park is around 2 hours
to La Center 7 hours
Put in: Omak Stampede Grounds or River Access Park
Take out: Just before SR97 bridge
Time: 2-4 hours
Note: Bridge Pillar hazard with dangerous current
Put in: Icicle Road Bridge
Take out: Waterfront Park
Time: 3-4 hours
NOTE: section of the river after Waterfront Park is dangerous - watch out for big horseshoe bend after the highway bridge
This section must be walked first to check for safety
route all the way to Peshastin is 5-6 hours
Put in: Flaming Geyser State Park
Take out: East Green River Park
65 mile river
nice, relaxing float
2-3 hours
Put in: Mack Lloyd Park
Take out: KOA Campground
1 hour float - more if wanted
More mellow in some areas than others
Put in: Sultan
Take out: Monroe
3 hours
Fallen trees and log jams are very common and potentially dangerous - discuss with rangers first
Put in: Schaeffer County Park
Take out: Rotary Riverside Park
3 hour float
wildskook.com/river-tube - Challenge-by-choice Adventure (All large rapids can be walked)
Put in: Jones Road
Take out: Carco Theatre
Time: 2-3 hours
Put in: Acme Bridge
Take out: Potter Road Bridge on Strand Road
Time: 4 hours
NOTE: Logs are chained on side of river for fish spawning. These logs and other log jams present significant hazards. Steer clear of these.
Section ONE
Put in: Harvard Road entrance at Spokane River Recreation Area
Take out: Mirabeau Trailhead
3-5 hours
Section TWO
Put in: People's Park Parking Lot 47.65994, -117.43836
Take out: Downriver Park
2-3 hours
Section TWO is used by flow-adventures.com
NOTE: Area between Section ONE and TWO is dangerous with rapids and dams
Put in: Hathaway Park boat launch entrance
Take out: Camas Skate Park
Shallow in spots - need to dodge rocks
Not great for young and unadventurous
90 minute float
Put in: Acme Bridge - Parking at: 48.71877, -122.20318
Take out: Potter Bridge 48.78910, -122.19954
to Cliffs Road takes about 3-4 hours
Shallow spots - need portaging in August
Put in: 45.79501, -121.20096
Take Out: 45.74633, -121.22324
Dangerous as you get closer to Columbia River - serious rapids
Put in: Pioneer Park
Take out: Tumwater Falls Park
Leisurely 2 hour float
NOTE: waterfall after Tumwater Falls Park - don't go under Capitol Blvd Bridge!
