We were a group of 15 and decided to try tubing down the Delaware River after hearing so many great…read morethings about it. We were able to get a reservation for the last weekend of the 2026 season on September 12, and we chose the 1:30 PM time slot.
Since we live about an hour away, we made sure to leave enough time for parking, checking in, getting a locker, choosing our tubes, and getting our life vests, which are mandatory. They also have portable changing rooms and portable bathroom facilities.
I paid a few extra dollars for the Deluxe Tube, which is blue, and I definitely recommend it. It has a backrest, which made it much more comfortable to lean back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Because there were 15 of us, we actually ended up with our own school bus! You bring your tube onto the bus with you, and the staff drives you several miles up the road to the starting point. Once you get off, you cross a small bridge and walk down a fairly steep flight of stairs to the river.
A few important tips: WATER SHOES OR OLD SNEAKERS ARE A MUST. I ALSO RECOMMEND WEARING A BIG T-SHIRT OVER YOUR BATHING SUIT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PUT A LIFE JACKET ON . There are plenty of rocks, and in some areas the water was fairly shallow. You also need to be able to carry your tube and handle the stairs.
I also highly recommend buying a waterproof phone pouch that hangs around your neck. They're inexpensive on Amazon and make it so easy to take pictures without worrying about dropping your phone into the Delaware! Waterproof bags are also great for anything else you want to keep dry.
You can rent a small floating raft to attach to your tube for snacks, drinks, or personal items. Keep in mind that, as of 2026, coolers are no longer allowed, and you cannot bring disposable plastic bottles. Reusable drink containers or thermoses are the way to go.
We chose the longer tubing trip, approximately 4.5 miles, which takes around three hours or a little longer depending on the river conditions. They also offer a shorter trip of a little over two hours, but the longer one was perfect for us.
Once you're in the river, you're basically on your own. There isn't a guide floating with you, although staff occasionally come by in boats to make sure everyone is doing okay. Since we had such a large group, some of us brought rope and bungee cords and connected our tubes so we could stay together. That made it even more fun.
The river was beautiful and very calm the day we went. The water temperature was perfect, not too cold and not too warm, and floating down the Delaware surrounded by nature was incredibly relaxing.
One of the coolest surprises was the floating hot dog stand about halfway down the river! You can pull your raft or tube over, order food, get out of the water, and sit on a little sandy area. It was such a unique and fun stop. We also saw people kayaking, rafting, swimming, and just having a great time.
I would recommend arriving at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled time, and probably even earlier if you have a large group.
Overall, we had an absolute blast. It was relaxing, beautiful, different, and so much fun to do with a group. We would definitely go back.
They are now closed for the 2026 season, but if you're looking for something fun to do when they reopen next year, I highly recommend giving Delaware River tubing a try!