If you’re reading this, you’re probably intrigued by the idea of tubing near Blue Ridge, GA. And why not? It’s an activity that combines the thrill of adventure with the serene beauty of nature. Imagine yourself floating down a tranquil river, surrounded by lush greenery, with the sun warming your skin and a cool breeze brushing against your face. Sounds tempting, right? Read on to learn where you can make that dream come true.
The Blue Ridge region in Georgia is renowned for its scenic beauty. Named after the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area is home to several rivers perfect for tubing. The cool water, picturesque scenery, and abundance of nature makes tubing here one of the best places in the Southeast.
If you’re headed to this part of Georgia, there’s a lot here outside of tubing, too. You won’t want to miss my posts on the top Wineries, Apple Picking Spots, and even Treehouse Rentals for a really unique, memorable experience.
It’s a good idea to rent with an operator, because it makes everything easier. Rentals will include a life jacket, instructions from a local guide, and shuttle service between the starting and exit points.
Below, I’ll introduce you to some of the best tubing companies in the north Georgia area. l’ll guide you through the services they offer, their tubing routes, and what you can expect during your adventure.
Tubing Companies Near Blue Ridge, GA
Toccoa River Tubing Company
340 Toccoa Avenue
McCaysville, GA 30555
The first stop on the list is the Toccoa River Tubing Company. This company is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, and for good reason. It offers one of the most enjoyable tubing experiences in the region. You’ll begin your adventure from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and make your way down the refreshing, scenic Toccoa River, soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The Toccoa River Tubing Company offers a short, relaxing float that is about 1 and 1/2 hours long. All trips come with high-quality tubes, life vests, and shuttle service to and from the river.
The minimum age to tube with this company is 5 years old, and walk-ins are welcome. But cooler tubes book out quickly, so you may want a reservation if you really want one.
Cartecay River Experience
2400 Hwy 52
East Ellijay, GA 30540
Next, we head over to the Cartecay River Experience. Situated in nearby Ellijay, this company offers a unique tubing experience on the Cartecay River. Known for its class II rapids and natural water slides, the Cartecay River can provide a relaxing trip or a slightly more adventurous tubing trip compared to the tranquil Toccoa River.
The Cartecay River Experience offers two different tubing trips to match – the ‘Lazy River Experience’ and the ‘Adventure River Experience’. The Lazy River Experience is a 1.5-mile journey that lasts about 1 to 1 and a 1/2 hours, perfect for fun day of tubing for families and beginners. The Adventure River Experience, on the other hand, is a 3 mile journey that lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours and includes the river’s rapids and water slides.
There is no minimum age for tubing the Lazy River Experience – it is at the parents’ discretion, although the company reserves the right to refuse rental to anyone deemed unsafe. The Adventure Tubing is best suited for children at least 5 years old.
Your tubing trip includes a tube, life vest, and shuttle service. The company also has a Riverside Outpost where you can enjoy snacks and drinks before or after your trip. In addition to tubes, Cartecay River also offers kayaks. If you have your own tubes or kayaks, the company offers cheaper tickets for just the shuttle ride back upriver when you are done.
Rolling Thunder River Company
20 Hughes Street
McCaysville, GA 30555
The Rolling Thunder River Company is located just 15 minutes outside of Blue Ridge. They offer an exciting range of water sports activities – and tubing is one of their highlights. There are two different locations that can put you on several different rivers, including the Toccoa, the Ocoee, and the Nantahala.
One of the tours they offer is a 1.5-mile tubing trip on the Toccoa River, which lasts about an hour and is perfect for a relaxing day on the river. They also offer river kayak rentals for a 1.5 mile course and a 6 mile course. Keep in mind, though, that the Tennessee Water Authority controls the release of water into the river. If the water level suddenly changes, a 1 hour tubing trip could last only 20 minutes.
The Ocoee River, just on the other side of the state line in Tennessee, is known for its white waters. Rolling Thunder River Company also offers Ocoee River rafting if you’re more in the adventurous mood.
The minimum age is for tubing the Tocoee is 5 years old, while the minimum age for rafting on the Ocoee is 12 years old.
Ellijay River Outfitters
88 Holt Bridge Rd
Ellijay, GA 30536
Ellijay River Outfitters is a well-known name for Blue Ridge tubing. Located in the quaint town of Ellijay, this outfitter gives you the chance to float down the Ellijay River, which eventually becomes the Coosawattee.
Experiences at Ellijay River Outfitters include a 1 mile tubing rental, which lasts about an hour, and a 3 mile tubing rental, which lasts 3 to 5 hours. They also rent sit-in-top kayaks if you want to try that out instead.
Reservations are not accepted, so just come in and grab a tube! While they recommend children to be at least 5 years old, there is no minimum age requirement for this tour. Pets are allowed, too, although they must be in your tube or kayak – you cannot rent a separate one for them.
Appalachian Outfitters
1182 Golden Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Appalachian Outfitters is another excellent option for tubing near Blue Ridge, GA. Based in Dahlonega, this outfitter offers a variety of water sports activities, including canoeing, kayaking, and of course, tubing. Tubing trips take place on the Chestatee River, which is known for its calm, gentle currents. They are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, which trips start from 10AM to 5PM.
Their tubing trips are a bit shorter than some of the other companies on the list. The trip lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The minimum age is 4 years old, so it’s perfect for smaller children. Prices include the rental and the shuttle service.
One cool feature about their tubing is that the location allows you to take a short hike back to the beginning, where you can float down the river again. Most other outfitters offer tubing in a location where you are unable to get out of your tube until the exit point, so this is a really nice feature.
Toccoa Valley Campground
11481 Aska Road
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Toccoa Valley Tubing and Campground offers tubing on the gentle, flowing Toccoa River. Like many other companies on the list, you can also rent kayaks and go rafting. But Toccoa Valley Campground is unique because they also have spots for tent and RV camping.
Their site is in the beautiful Aska Adventure Area and provides 6 miles of tubing fun. It takes, on average, 2 hours from the starting point to the exit point. There are just a couple of spots along the way that have very small rapids, but those are easily navigated with a stick.
RV sites include water and sewer and 30 amp electric hookups. Waterfront sites are available, and there are also full bathrooms and showers for a more comfortable experience. Other amenities include a fire ring, picnic table, and charcoal grill at every site.
Ocoee Adventure Center
4651 US-64
Copperhill, TN 37317
Ocoee Adventure Center has multiple locations, but the tubing center is just across the state line, in Tennessee, about 25 minutes from Blue Ridge. While they offer Ocoee rafting, and not necessarily tubing, they are another great option for river sports and so I wanted to include them on my list.
The Ocoee River is a whitewater site, so this is a more adventurous trip. They offer tours on the Middle Ocoee River as well as a 10 mile trip that covers both the upper section and middle section of the Ocoee River.
The Full Ocoee River 10 mile trip is a total of 6 hours, which includes about 5 hours of time on the river and lunch. The Middle Ocoee River trip is about half that distance, or 5 miles total.
The Bottom Line
Whether you live in north Georgia or are coming to visit its beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, tubing is an amazing experience you shouldn’t miss. When you float down one of North Georgia’s rivers, like the Toccoa or Ellijay, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. If you’re more adventurous, you can experience the thrilling whitewater of the Ocoee River.
So, if you’re looking for your next adventure, don’t miss out on all that Blue Ridge, Georgia has to offer. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll find yourself returning year after year, drawn back by the serene rivers, the stunning landscape, and the thrill of the float.
If you’re looking for some river adventure, you’ll also love my post on White Water Rafting in the Smokies.
