The Best River Tubing Spots Around Edmonton to Float Your Worries Downstream
The finest pleasures in life involve floating, flowing, and basking in sunshine. That’s why our favorite form of therapy is river tubing.
Should that surprise you? No. Edmonton is along the North Saskatchewan River, so, for us, going with the flow is easy as pie.
Besides, the city is also surrounded by nearby river tubing hotspots, like Whitecourt and Spruce View. Want to dive deep into their winding twists and lazy currents? We’ll tell you about them here!
Edmonton River Float
– From edmontonriverfloat
Address: 9180 Walterdale Hill NW
Contact Details: (780) 405-5085
The moment we brainstormed this list, Edmonton River Float popped into our heads instantly. No surprises there; for years, they’ve turned the North Saskatchewan River into a budget-friendly summer getaway.
We also never did the heavy lifting, as they supplied it all, from rafts and river tubes to lifejackets and paddles. Our only job was to arrive on time, put on sunscreen, and enjoy the scenery.
The cherry on top of every outing was cruising past downtown Edmonton’s must-see spots, including the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Hawrelak Park, and our absolute favorite, Victoria Golf Course. Plus, we were always allowed to have a riverside bash on one of the tiny islands!
| Tip: You can throw private parties with Edmonton River Float. |
Spots Near Edmonton
Pembina River Tubing
– From pipsqueak87
Address: 53217 Range Rd 74A, Entwistle
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 16 mins
Contact Details: (780) 515-1754
Spending a day with Pembina River Tubing showed us exactly why everyone raves about the Pembina River Valley’s panoramas.
For starters, we glided past a dramatic 62-meter Ice Age gorge, taking in postcard-worthy views of ravines and cliffs. Colorful wildflowers also lined the banks while cheeky white-tailed deer and red hares made appearances!
We didn’t stress about gear either; everything was supplied and customized for our height and weight. Even better, they gave us tubes with a rock-resistant design, so we never had to worry about our safety.
| Tip: You must arrive 15 minutes early for your reserved check-in. If you’re late or have missing party members, you’ll have to wait for the next available check-in or use the walk-in line. |
Whitecourt River Slides (Rotary Park Outdoor Waterpark)
– From tourismwhitecourt
Address: Whitecourt
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 59 mins
Contact Details: (780) 778-2273
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 9 pm
Bringing our kids to the Whitecourt River Slides was a total win. Thanks to the splash park, playground, and man-made creeks for tubing, our little ones got summer memories that’ll stick for years.
Wide and easy-flowing, the creeks were designed for a laid-back afternoon. There were also shallow pools for swimming and adrenaline-pumping drops, so the kiddos didn’t just laze out the entire time.
The free admission eased our expenses too, but the 2-hour drive from Edmonton left a few of us yawning. Luckily, there were still plenty of grassy picnic spots open to flop down and recharge when we arrived.
| Tips: Bring your own tubes. There are no rentals here. Don’t forget your fishing gear if you want to reel in some catch from the pond. |
Red Lodge Provincial Park
– From catrionald
Address: Spruce View
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 15 mins
Contact Details: (403) 224-2547
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 9 pm
Our camping experience at Red Lodge Provincial Park was so memorable that the kids wouldn’t stop asking to go back. But we get it, as the park flaunts all the hallmarks of an ideal summer escape.
The Little Red River totally stole the show, though. It had waters calm enough for the kids to drift on their own rafts and shallow spots for quick, muddy beach stops.
Red Lodge’s tucked-away, riverside campsites added to the appeal. They doubled as launch spots for our escapades downriver, while providing enough shade and Instagrammable backdrops.
| Tips: Grab a copy of Red Lodge Provincial Park’s map to avoid getting lost. Check the water level, as high river levels can make floating difficult. A quick call is the best way to get the latest info. |
Discovery Canyon
– From sonali_2810
Address: 3800 River Bend Dr, Red Deer County
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 54 mins
Contact Details: (403) 343-6341
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 7 pm
This list wouldn’t feel right without a nod to Discovery Canyon. The man-made lazy river might be too quick for adults, but for kids, it’s a total thrill, thanks to its waterslide-ish design.
Renting is no sweat either. As of October 2024, it’s only 6 bucks for a tube, and you’re even allowed to bring your own.
Plus, there’s no shortage of other spots to unwind, like the sprawling picnic areas, a massive playground, a sandy beach, and river-fed shallows for swimming. Weekends can be packed though, so that’s something to consider.
| Tip: You can throw private shindigs by renting Discovery Canyon’s spaces. |
River Lifestyle Tubing
– From riverlifestyle
Address: Devon Voyageur Park, Saskatchewan Ave W
Distance from Edmonton: 47 mins
Contact Details: (780) 935-5118
River Lifestyle Tubing turned our Devon Voyageur Park day into a true classic. They provided shuttle rides that made getting there and back a breeze, PVC-made tubes spacious enough for a good stretch, and life jackets that didn’t smell or look old.
Options galore made them a standout for us too. To start, the first one is a 1-hour float from the park to Devon Lions Campground, hitting the sweet spot at just $25 (adults) and $20 (kids).
The second option (the one we chose), offered a leisurely 3-hour escapade that cost $35 for adults and $30 for kids. It kicked off from a tree-lined private property and ended at the green campground.
| Tip: Keep in mind that each participant needs a signed waiver to join, and those under 18 must have one signed by a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian isn’t present, tourists under 16 won’t be allowed to float. |
McLeod River Tubing
– From zenseekers
Address: Whitecourt
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 11 mins
Anyone who’s floated the McLeod River in Woodlands County will insist that McLeod River Tubing is a must-do. We’re part of that “anyone.”
Shallow waters made for a dreamy float during our visit—framed by shrubs, pines, and the occasional deer prancing by. The only hiccup? No shops nearby to quench our thirst or hunger pangs; we had to pack bites.
On the upside, the 2.5-hour float gave us plenty of mini-adventures and scenic pit stops. For instance, we tried our luck fishing for yellow perch and walleye while enjoying strolls along the hills and cliffs.
| Tip: Familiarize yourself with all their tubing guidelines. |
Long Lake Provincial Park
– From zahatsee
Address: Range Rd 191A, Ellscott
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 36 mins
Contact Details: (780) 576-3959
Long Lake Provincial Park may not have a river to splash around in, but its winding lake and serene waters check all the boxes for a blissful floating sesh.
Tourists usually roll in with their tubes or kayaks (kayaking edmonton) to navigate the scenic shores, especially the one in the middle. If you don’t have any gear, you can snag a rental right at the park.
On top of that, a sprawling picnic area, lakeside trails, and several fishing spots sit beside a spacious beach. They’re all embraced by towering aspen, pine, and spruce, so the scenery here could easily grace a postcard.
| Tip: Ensure a camping spot by calling the number above. Walk-ins are possible, but they’ll turn latecomers if the camping grounds reach full capacity. |