Tubing on the Toccoa River

The dog days of summer are here, and while many people are hunkering down indoors to try and beat the Georgia heat, tubing down the Toccoa River is a refreshing alternative. Tubing provides an excellent way to cool down and have a great time with friends and family, and can be enjoyed by novices and children. You will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. You can see forests, pastures, wildlife, mountain laurel and rhododendrum as you float along.

When tubing down the Toccoa River you should use colorful inner tubes with handles that are designed for your comfort. The use of black tire tubes get very hot and uncomfortable in the sun. You can get "snuggle tubes" which carry two people. If you prefer to do some paddling on the Toccoa you can canoe or "funyak" which are inflatable one person or two person boats. The Toccoa River is ideal for families with young children.

The Toccoa River is a dam-controlled river and TVA releases water daily. Water levels and speed can change significantly after water is released. At low water, the river is shallower and slower. At high water, the river rises 2 to 3 feet and picks up speed considerable. When tubing you float down the Toccoa for 1.5 miles and for canoes and kayaks you can do the 1.5 mile or 6 mile trip. Under natural conditions with no water release, the 1.5 mile inner tube trip can take up to one hour; after water is released it may take only 20 minutes.

There are tube rentals available as well as transportation to pick you up.

The Toccoa Valley Campground: operates a popular tubing operation during the summer months. There trip is 6 miles long and last around 2-3 hours depending on the water level. The tubes are custom designed with a bottom and handles to make the trip more relaxing and pleasant, especially for children. This trip is different from the lower Toccoa tube trips. Weather permitting they are open Mon-Sat with launch hours 10:00-3:00.

11481 Aska Road
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706)838-4317

Toccoa River Adventures: offers two different types of tubing trips. The Swift Water Tub Trip takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the water level. A paddle is provided with tube for this trip. This trip runs in the later part of the day when water is released from the Blue Ridge Dam. The second trip is the 1 1/2 hour relaxing tube trip down the Toccoa River. Weather permitting their hours are: Mon thru Sat 10 am to 8 pm & Sunday 1 pm to 6 pm.

340 Toccoa Ave.
McCaysville, GA 30555
(706)492-5280

Rolling Thunder: offers the best scenario on the river. Their experience has taught them that there are some basics that newcomers should know when planning a tubing trip. They are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Toccoa Tubing Center
20 Hughes Street
McCaysville, GA 30555
(800)408-7238