There’s nothing like a float down the river on a hot day! It is easy to see why tubing has been an increasingly popular summer activity, providing the perfect way to cool off and have some fun on the water with family or friends. Whether you are looking for a tame kid-friendly option, or wanting to take on a larger body of water with the entire family, there are several great tubing options we have found within a 2 hour drive of the city.
Red Lodge Campground
Our family has now enjoyed tubing in several locations using our trusty pair of tubes bought from Costco. Among my kids favourites have been the oh-so-popular Whitecourt River Slides and the Little Red Deer River at Red Lodge Campground. We have also taken our 4 person raft through downtown Edmonton and I can see why the slow moving North Saskatchewan makes a great tubing spot out of Devon or in the Edmonton River Valley.
Whitecourt River Slides
Whether you have your own tubes, or are looking for the convenience of rental and shuttle service, there are plenty of great ways options for your family to experience the joys of tubing.
Where to Go Tubing
Edmonton River Float | Edmonton
OPEN for the Season June 2023
Location: Dawson Park, just off Rowland Road
Address: 10298 89 Street NW, Edmonton
Website: www.edmontonriverfloat.com
Float the North Saskatchewan River by tube, right through the heart of downtown Edmonton! Your float will take you from the Laurier Park Boat Launch and back to Edmonton River Float’s home base at Dawson Park. Your booking includes the lifejacket, paddle, tube and shuttle service – all you have to do is show up! These floats are open to all ages and usually last around 3 hours in duration.
River Lifestyle Co. | Devon
OPEN for the season in June 2023
Location: Voyageur Park
Address: 100 Saskatchewan Avenue West, Devon
Website: www.riverlifestyle.ca
The Devon river valley is a wonderful place to enjoy unique views of the North Saskatchewan River. River Lifestyle Co. makes things easy by offering family friendly river tubing options just outside town, complete with shuttle service back to your vehicle. Choose from two different trip length options. Depending on river levels, children 4 and up are able to float tethered to an adult with 2 adults present.
Whitecourt River Slides | Whitecourt
OPEN for the season May 20, 2023
Location: Festival Park (formerly Rotary Park)
Address: Located at the end of 51 Street, Whitecourt
Website: www.whitecourt.ca
This option does require a bit longer drive (2 hours), but it is so worth it! My kids loved the tubing down the slides so much we ended up going on back to back days while camping in the area. This man-made water feature has two creeks with a series of drops, pools, basins and a beachy area. Bring your own tube and plan to spend the entire day here. Besides the River Slides, Rotary Park is also home to a large playground, splash park, concession stand (with air-filling station) and a fishing pond.
Discovery Canyon | Red Deer
OPEN for the season June 1, 2023
Location: Discovery Canyon
Address: 3.5 km north of the 30 Avenue and 67 Street roundabout at River Bend Golf and Recreation Area, Red Deer
Website: www.rbgra.ca
This Red Deer institution was one of my favourite places to visit on hot summer days as a kid. The man-made natural river-fed waterslide chute is a ton of fun to tube down and there is a sandy beach and swimming area at the bottom for the kids to play in. Rent tubes on site, or bring your own for a free day of fun in the sun. There is also a playground, concession and washrooms on site.
Red Lodge Campground | Near Bowden
OPEN for the Season May 11, 2023
Location: Red Lodge Provincial Park
Address: 15 km West of Bowden on Highway 587
Website: www.albertaparks.ca
This popular Alberta Parks campground books up fast because of the wonderful tubing-friendly river that winds around the campsites. Your best bet is to book a camp site here, but there are some day-use parking spots available to those who just want to come for a float with your own tubes. The Little Red Deer River is fairly slow flowing and shallow with a mostly sandy bottom, making it the perfect spot to tube with younger kids and spend time playing in the river.
