New River Tubing: What to Expect, How it Works, and What to Bring With You at Wahoos Adventures

If you’ve never been river tubing before, you’re probably wondering what the day actually looks like. Do you need experience? Is it hard? What should you bring? How long are you on the river? Where do you park? How does the shuttle work?

These are the exact questions almost everyone asks before their first tubing trip — and the good news is, New River tubing is easy, relaxing, and designed for all ages.

In fact, many families tell us their tubing day ends up being the highlight of their entire Boone vacation. Not because it’s extreme or fast — but because it’s one of the few activities where everyone can slow down, float together, laugh, talk, and actually spend time together without distractions.

The New River is calm, scenic, and gentle, which makes it perfect for families, groups, and anyone looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors. You don’t need any experience, and you don’t need to be an athlete — if you can sit in a tube and enjoy the sunshine, you can go tubing.

This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect on a tubing trip, how the process works from the moment you arrive, what to bring with you, and a few insider tips that will help you have the best day possible on the river.

How It Works (Step-by-Step)

One of the reasons families and groups love tubing on the New River with Wahoos Adventures is because the process is simple and easy. You don’t have to plan routes, coordinate pick-up times, or worry about transportation logistics. We’ve designed the entire experience so you can focus on relaxing and having fun.

Here’s how a typical tubing day works:

1. Arrive and Check In
When you arrive, you’ll check in, get your tubes, and our staff will explain everything you need to know for your trip. If you have a group, we’ll help you get set up so everyone can float together.

2. Shuttle to the River
We’ll take you on a short shuttle ride, just a couple miles up the road to the tubing put-in location. The shuttle ride is quick, and this is where your adventure begins.

3. Float the New River
Most tubing trips float for around 2 hours depending on the water level and how often your group stops along the way. Many groups stop to swim, relax on the rocks, have snacks, and enjoy the scenery. The New River is calm and scenic, making it perfect for relaxing and spending time together.

4. Get Out Right Where You Parked
At the end of your trip, you’ll float right back to our outpost where your car is parked. You simply get out of the river and you’re back at your vehicle — no waiting for a shuttle at the end of your trip. No standing around in wet clothes near the road waiting to get picked up.

5. Want to Go Again? You Can.
One of the things that makes tubing here different is that many guests choose to go more than once. We offer unlimited, all-day tubing, so after your first float, you can relax, have a picnic, or hop back on the shuttle and float again. Many families and groups make a full day out of it.

The entire experience is designed to be easy, flexible, and stress-free so you can focus on enjoying your time on the river.

What to Bring for Your Tubing Trip

A little preparation can make a good tubing trip turn into a great one. Here are a few things we recommend bringing so you can be comfortable and enjoy your day on the river.

Recommended Items:

• Swimsuit or quick-dry clothing
• Water shoes or sandals with a back strap (the river is rocky in some areas)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses with a strap
• Hat
• Towel
• Change of clothes for after your trip
• Snacks and drinks

Many guests also like to bring their phones to take pictures. We recommend a waterproof and floating phone case to keep your phone safe while you’re on the water. We sell 100% waterproof phone cases that also float to keep your phone safe while enjoying your time on the water.

If you’re coming with a group or family, you may also want to bring a small cooler with drinks and snacks. Many groups connect their tubes together so they can float as a group and keep their cooler nearby.

A few helpful tips:

• Do not bring anything on the river that you don’t want to get wet or possibly lose.
• Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
• If you burn easily, a long-sleeve sun shirt is a great option even on warm days.
• Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends if you’re looking for a quieter float.

When you come prepared, tubing is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable days you can have in the Boone area. Many of our guests tell us it becomes a tradition they come back for every year.

Why Families Choose Wahoo’s for New River Tubing

Families have a lot of choices when they visit the Boone area, but many of them choose Wahoo’s for New River tubing because it’s one of the few activities that truly works for everyone — kids, parents, grandparents, and groups of friends.

The New River is calm and easy to float, which makes it a great option for families with kids and groups who want to relax instead of navigate rough water. Instead of worrying about paddling or navigating rapids, you can simply sit back, float, and enjoy the scenery, the sunshine, and the people you’re with.

Another reason many families choose to tube here is because the experience is easy from start to finish. Parking is on-site, the shuttle ride is short, and at the end of your trip, you float right back to where your car is parked. There’s no waiting around at the end of your trip trying to get a ride back — you’re already there.

Many groups also love that they can make a full day out of it. After your first float, you can relax at the outpost, have a picnic, let the kids play, and then float again. It’s not a rushed experience — it’s a full day outside together.

For many families, tubing on the New River becomes more than just something to do on vacation — it becomes a tradition. We often hear guests say, “We did this last year and had to come back,” or “This was the highlight of our trip.”

If you’re planning a trip to Boone and looking for something that is easy to plan, fun for all ages, and something your group will talk about long after the trip is over, New River tubing is one of the best choices you can make.

Ready to Go Tubing? Here’s How to Plan Your Trip

If you’re researching New River tubing, you’re probably already planning a trip to Boone and looking for something your whole group will enjoy. Tubing is one of the most popular activities in the area because it’s easy, relaxing, and something everyone can do — kids, parents, grandparents, and groups of friends.

Here’s how to plan the perfect tubing day:

When to Go:
Tubing season runs from late spring through early fall. Weekdays are typically quieter, while weekends have more of a fun, social atmosphere. Many families like to start in the morning, float, have lunch or a picnic, and then enjoy the property for the afternoon.

How Long to Plan For:
Plan for about 2 hours on the river per float, but many guests stay for half a day or the entire day. One of the things guests love most is that you’re not rushed — you can relax, float, eat, and float again.

Why This Is One of the Easiest Activities to Plan in Boone:

• On-site parking
• Short shuttle ride to the river
• You float right back to where you parked
• Easy for families and groups
• You can stay and enjoy the property after your trip

If you’re visiting Boone in the summer, tubing is one of the most popular activities in the area, so it’s a good idea to reserve your tubes in advance, especially for weekends and holidays.

If you want a relaxing day on the river where your group can laugh, float, swim, and spend real time together, New River tubing is one of the best things to do in Boone.

Click here to check availability and reserve your tubing trip

See You On The River!! Wahoo!!!