Short answer: tubing season in Asheville runs May through Labor Day. That’s the window Asheville Adventure Company runs float trips down the French Broad River, and it’s the answer to the question most people are really asking: when can you tube in Asheville and actually enjoy it.
Here’s how the season breaks down.
May: The Season Opens
May kicks things off. The river is running, the outpost is open, and trips launch six days a week, Tuesday through Friday. Mornings can still carry a chill this early in the season, so pack accordingly. If you want a quieter float with fewer crowds on the water, May is your window.
June Through August: Peak Tubing Season
This is the stretch people picture when they think of Asheville tubing season. Long days, warm water, and the French Broad at its most social. Weekends fill up fast during these months, especially July and August, so book your spot instead of hoping to walk up.
A normal trip runs 3 to 4 hours. You start at our Outpost near the Biltmore property, float past Carrier Park, and drift on through the River Arts District. Trip length depends on current water levels, not the clock, so no two floats feel exactly the same.
Labor Day: The Cutoff
Tubing season closes at Labor Day. After that, water levels and temperatures make it a different kind of trip, so we shift focus to rafting and kayaking for the fall. If you want to float this year, get it done before the holiday weekend.
What a Trip Actually Looks Like
Show up at the Outpost 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. From there, you tube down the river and finish at our private take-out point in the River Arts District. A shuttle picks you up and brings you back to the Outpost, which sits just two minutes from that RAD take-out. No long walk back, no arranging your own ride.
Trips run daily for anyone 4 years old and up, with groups as large as 50 people. Anyone under 14 wears a PFD, and we recommend one for everyone else too. Bring a cooler if you want (we rent cooler carriers for $10), just skip the glass, the liquor, and the pets.
Booking Tips for Tubing Season
Weekends in June, July, and August book up first. If your group is flexible, weekday floats during peak season give you more room on the water and an easier time locking in a departure slot. Larger groups of 10 or more qualify for a discount, so call ahead if that’s you.
Ready to go? Check tubing availability and grab your spot before the season fills in.