River tubing in Salida
On hot summer days, tubing the Arkansas River through downtown Salida is a fun and refreshing way to spend an afternoon. Salida is about 25 minutes south of the Surf Hotel and the float through town passes several play waves and riverside parks.
The easiest option is to rent tubes from Totally Tubular River Rentals, located right along the river. They offer tube rentals and shuttle options so you can float through the downtown stretch without worrying about transportation.
Rentals are first come first serve so we recommend getting to the river earlier in the day.
You can combine this activity with Downtown Salida.
How to river tube
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When you arrive, you’ll rent a tube (and typically a life jacket), then walk a short distance upstream to the standard put-in spot. From there you simply hop in and float down through the downtown river park, passing small rapids and wave features before reaching the take-out area downstream. The float through town typically takes 20–30 minutes, and many people repeat the run several times.
Plan to bring water shoes or sandals with straps, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses with a strap. A dry bag is helpful if you want to bring a phone or small items. The river is fed by mountain snowmelt and stays very cold even in summer, so expect the water to be refreshing.
Because the Arkansas River has strong current and small rapids, tubing here is recommended only for strong swimmers and confident water users, and river conditions can vary depending on flow levels.