Planning a river tubing day trip on Asheville’s French Broad River? Water shoes or flip-flops? Cotton or synthetic? Sunscreen every hour or every two hours? Our guides spend the whole tubing season on this river, May through September. Here’s what actually works.
Understanding the French Broad River
The French Broad runs right through downtown Asheville, making it the most accessible tubing river in Western North Carolina. The sections we float are Class I water: slow-flowing, shallow (6 inches to 4 feet deep), with a gentle current that carries you downstream. No rapids, no technical skills required.
Summer water temperatures sit around 65-70°F, though May can dip into the 50s and August peaks closer to 72°F. The French Broad is a free-flowing river, which means it runs warmer than dam-controlled rivers in the region. It also means river conditions change with rainfall: after a big storm, water levels rise, the water gets murkier, and the current picks up slightly.
The riverbed is rocky, not sandy. That matters for footwear.
What to Wear: Seasonal Breakdown
May and June (Early Season)
Water’s still cold in May — 50s to low 60s most days. Cotton stays wet and pulls heat from your body. Skip it. Go with synthetic materials that dry fast and keep you warm even when soaked.
- Swimwear: Regular bathing suit works fine as your base layer.
- Layering: Add a rash guard or lightweight long-sleeve swim shirt. If the water’s under 60°F, consider board shorts over your suit for extra coverage.
- Sun protection: The sun’s intense even in cooler months. Long sleeves help with both warmth and UV protection.
July and August (Peak Season)
Water warms up to 70-75°F. Cotton’s fine now – most tubers float in swimsuits and board shorts with no issues.
- Swimwear: Whatever you’d wear to the pool. One-piece, bikini, board shorts, swim trunks — all work.
- Coverage: If you burn easily or want more sun protection, throw on a lightweight swim shirt or rash guard. Quick-dry athletic shirts work too.
- The reality: You’re on the water for 2-3 hours in full sun. Dress light, but don’t skip sun protection.
September (Late Season)
Mornings get cooler, afternoons stay warm. Water temperature drops back to the low 60s. Return to the early season strategy: synthetic layers, not cotton.
Footwear That Actually Stays On
Water shoes with a back strap. That’s the answer.
Flip-flops fall off in the water. They don’t protect your feet on the rocky sections, and you’ll need to walk from the parking area to the put-in.
Best options:
- Water shoes with adjustable straps
- Sport sandals with heel straps (Chacos, Tevas, Keens)
- Old sneakers you don’t mind getting wet
Skip:
- Flip-flops (they won’t make it)
- Going barefoot (rocky riverbed, not worth it)
- Brand new shoes (river water + mud = permanent stains)
The French Broad’s riverbed is uneven. You’ll step in shallow spots getting in and out of your tube. Secure footwear matters.
Sun Protection on the French Broad
The French Broad gives you two to three hours of wide-open sun exposure. Blue Ridge Mountains the whole way, which is beautiful, but there’s no shade. Come prepared.
- Sunscreen: SPF 30 minimum, reef-safe if possible. Reapply every 90 minutes to two hours – you’re sweating, you’re in water, it wears off faster than you think. Spray bottles make reapplication easier mid-float.
- Hat: Wide-brimmed or baseball cap. Bring a strap or tie it to your tube — hats blow off in wind.
- Sunglasses: Polarized lenses cut glare off the water. Use a retainer strap. Sunglasses that sink to the bottom of a 4-foot river don’t come back.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains during summer months. Morning trips tend to beat the weather.
What to Bring (and How to Secure It)
Hydration: Bring water. It’s hot, you’re in the sun, and you’ll get dehydrated faster than expected. Reusable plastic bottles work: no glass on the river.
Snacks: Soft coolers fit in larger tubes. Some people bring sandwiches, fruit, chips. Pack the items you’ll actually eat in a couple hours –no glass containers.
Cell phone: If you’re bringing it, put it in a waterproof pouch or case, along with your keys. Anything that sinks is gone.
Dry bag: Optional but helpful. Toss in a dry towel, change of clothes, extra sunscreen. Leave it strapped to your tube.
What AAC Provides
Every trip includes:
- Inner tubes (adult tubes and kids’ tubes with closed bottoms and backrests)
- Life vests (required for kids 13 and under by North Carolina state law, available for adults)
- Shuttle service back to the put-in
- Free parking
- Safety briefing from guides
You bring everything else: footwear, sunscreen, water, snacks, dry clothes for after.
First-Timer Tips
Book in advance. Summer weekends book up fast, especially for groups and families. Reservations secure your spot.
Arrive ready. Check-in and safety briefing happen before you’re on the water — usually takes 10-15 minutes.
Packing Checklist
Must-bring:
- Water shoes or strap sandals
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+, reef-safe preferred)
- Plastic bottles for water (reusable, no glass)
- Towel and dry clothes for after
Recommended:
- Hat with strap
- Sunglasses with retainer
- Rash guard or swim shirt (sun protection)
- Waterproof phone case
- Snacks and drinks in soft cooler
Optional:
- Dry bag for extra gear
- Lightweight waterproof camera
Leave in the car:
- Glass containers
- Valuables (jewelry, wallet)
- Flip-flops
- Cotton clothing (early/late season)
Questions about what to bring? Call us at 828-417-7109. We’re here to help.
Ready for a fun Asheville day trip? Book your tubing adventure.
Looking for something more adventurous? Check out our French Broad rafting trips for Class II-III rapids.