Tubing in Portland: Best River Floats

by Olivia | August 29th, 2011

As soon as we see our first 90 degree day each summer, Portlanders run for the Oregon coast and the nearest rivers. So if you’ve been pondering doing a river float, here’s everything you need to know to get out on the water.

Which river?

You have two main option in the Portland area for river floating — the Sandy River and the Clackamas River. Both rivers have several parks that you can base yourself from and either swim/wade in the water or go tubing. The Sandy is a little closer to central Portland, but the Clackamas is a favorite. Remember, you’ll need two cars if you plan on floating from one park to the next (your other option is to bike or hitch a ride back to the upper parking lot). On your way to the river, either drop a car off at the float STOPPING point (and have the other driver jump in) or have everyone meet at the LAUNCH point and then while everyone is getting ready, two drivers take both cars to the STOPPING point (If it’s your first time floating that area, go take a look at the river so you know what it looks like where you stopping or you may just float on by), leave one car there and then come back. Remember, you need to bring the keys!

Where to buy/rent tubes in Portland:

Most sporting goods stores in town have inner tubes for river floating (places like Fred Meyer and Walmart should too). As summer heats up, it can be difficult to find tubes in stock and/or at a reasonable price (I was quoted $60 for the cheapest tube at one sporting goods store in town). As much as I like to shop local, I decided to buy inner tubes on Amazon (and with Amazon Prime free 2-day shipping, you don’t have to plan ahead that far), which makes the adventure much more affordable!

Best Float Routes: Clackamas River

You have several options for floating the Clackamas River, as there are three typical start points and three end points. The most popular launch is from Milo McIver State Park’s Upper Ramp (see map for details).

Float times:
Route 1: McIver Upper Ramp to McIver Lower Ramp – 2hrs
Route 2: McIver Upper Ramp to Barton – 6-7 hours
Route 3: McIver Upper Ramp to Carver – 8-9 hours
Route 4: McIver Lower Ramp to Barton – 5-6 hours
Route 5: McIver Lower Ramp to Carver – 7-8 hours

Remember many of these route pass through several sets of small rapids (water levels and speed greatly depend on the year and time of year), so not recommended for small children.

Best Float Routes: Sandy River

The most popular route on the Sandy is Dabney State Recreation Area to Lewis & Clark State Park (see map below). For more on floating the Sandy River check out Popina’s blog. You can also start at Dodge Park and continue to Lewis & Clark.

Things to Bring to the River:

inner tube

air pump

Otter Box (for keys, phone etc)

hat/sunglasses

sunscreen

water/drinks

lunch

Newbie Tubing Tips:

Both McIver State Park and Carver County Park close at 9pm, while Barton closes at 10pm. Keep that in mind when planning which route you’ll be floating.

Both your main car and your shuttle car need to purchase a $5 day use pass.

If your car key is a fob and not an old school key, you’ll need to have a way to keep that key dry, by using an Otterbox etc.

Bring water! The idea of drinking a beer while floating the river might sound fantastic, but you’ll want water as well.

Bring a lunch! There are a few convenience stores on the way to the parks, but after your first hour or two of floating you’ll be glad you packed a picnic.

Just because you can drunkenly lay in a tube and float in water, doesn’t mean you can swim, maneuver small rapids, and/or help someone else if they need help. Drink responsibly!

If you get a fancy-schmancy tube you’ll need a pump to inflate the main intertube and a bike pump or your mouth to inflate the backrest.

Go see what the river looks like at the STOPPING point so you don’t float by.

You’ll learn this tip quickly: when you’re approaching rapids (and rocks), lift your butt out of the water!

River Float Map:

View Portland Tubing in a larger map

Have you been tubing in Portland?

Share your favorite river spot in the comments. All photos by Olivia Raymer and may not be used without permission. Float on.

{ 6 comments }

harv33 September 11, 2011 at 8:22 am: Great tips! Others might be thinking that deciding to float on a river is that simple. There are a lot of things or guidelines needed especially if you’re a newbie into floating hobby. It’s very important these tips before it’s too late. A very helpful article, Thanks for posting the newbie tips.
robert wells October 21, 2011 at 2:23 pm: nice
sue johnson October 21, 2011 at 2:23 pm: nice photos
Danielle July 18, 2012 at 4:56 pm: We enjoy floating from Barton to Carver. It is about a 2.5 hour float and the shuttle trip doesn’t take too terribly long. Great article. We are planning on attempting a longer float soon!
gale francis July 30, 2012 at 4:08 pm: We are having a fun float from Independence or to Wallace Park in West Salem Aug. 11th This is a fundraiser for the Salem Exchange Club so you also will help us support child abuse prevention while having a day on the river For more information go to http://www.gwrrr.com or call gale @ 503 580-0425 Thank you!!
Taylor Parker September 26, 2012 at 9:26 am: My husband and I are taking our kids on a surprise river rafting trip in a couple of weeks. We are really excited, and I’m hoping that my kids will be too. My husband and I were hoping to find some river floating tubes , to take with us on our trip. We had been looking online about a month ago, and the shipping charges for the them cost more than the actual tubes! We decided to start looking around in stores, and we can’t find any! Are there any stores in the area that still sell tubes?