There is nothing more fulfilling than floating down a river with your best friends and a cooler of beer. The sun shines down on you, and in that moment, you feel free. Here are the best places in Ohio to get out on the river and float in a tube. Some are close to Cleveland, and others, not so much (but don’t worry, we break down driving times). Above all, remember that sunscreen and a designate driver will make your trip even more enjoyable. At most spots rental tubes are available, but if you own some, go ahead and cut out the middle man.
There is nothing more fulfilling than floating down a river with your best friends and a cooler of beer. The sun shines down on you, and in that moment, you feel free. Here are the best places in Ohio to get out on the river and float in a tube. Some are close to Cleveland, and others, not so much (but don’t worry, we break down how far of a drive they are). Above all, remember that sunscreen and a designate driver will make your trip even more enjoyable. At most spots rental tubes are available, but if you own some, go ahead and cut out the middle man.
Whitewater River
10465 Suspension Bridge Rd., Harrison
A tributary of the Great Miami River, floating the Whitewater River is a luxurious time through greenery and blue sky. Going through Green Acres Canoe in Harrison, your trip will come out to about three hours. Enjoy the moment. Or do your own thing at public access spots.
Photo via @khann14/InstagramWhitewater River
10465 Suspension Bridge Rd., Harrison
Distance: About 4 hours from Cleveland.
Photo via chelseabenner:Instagram
Whitewater River
10465 Suspension Bridge Rd., Harrison
A tributary of the Great Miami River, floating the Whitewater River is a luxurious time through greenery and blue sky. Going through Green Acres Canoe in Harrison, your trip will come out to about three hours. Enjoy the moment. Or do your own thing at public access spots.
Photo via @chelseabenner/InstagramTuscarawas River
11358 OH-212, Bolivar
The scenic Tuscarawas River out in Bolivar is not to be missed by those wanting to cool off this summer. Going through NTR Canoe Livery, guests can float for up to six-mile stretches. The company limits the amount of people that can be on the river per day, so you won’t ever experience hordes of tubers.
Photo via @sarahmillersandford/InstagramTuscarawas River
11358 OH-212, Bolivar
The scenic Tuscarawas River out in Bolivar is not to be missed by those wanting to cool off this summer. Going through NTR Canoe Livery, guests can float for up to six-mile stretches. The company limits the amount of people that can be on the river per day, so you won’t ever experience hordes of tubers.
Photo via @sarahmillersandford/InstagramMohican River
3058 OH-3, Loudonville
For only $15, tubers, friends and family can float through the Mohican River in Loudonville with Mohican Adventures company. Expect the float to last four to five hours, depending on the amount of beers you brought in your cooler.
Photo via @mrs_melley_haught/InstagramMohican River
3058 OH-3, Loudonville, 419-994-2267
Distance: About 1 hour and 90 minutes from Cleveland.
Photo via gctravels:Instagram
Mohican River
3058 OH-3, Loudonville
For only $15, tubers, friends and family can float through the Mohican River in Loudonville with Mohican Adventures company. Expect the float to last four to five hours, depending on the amount of beers you brought in your cooler.
Photo via @gctravels/InstagramKokosing River
25860 Coshocton Ave., Howard
This photo perfectly sums up what it’s like to float down a cool river with the sun blasting: amazing. Tubing down the Kokosing River out of Howard, Ohio, is made even more of a delight with the Kokosing Valley canoe livery’s help. Float for two hours, enjoy paradise.
Photo via @taylorconradd_/InstagramKokosing River
25860 Coshocton Ave., Howard, 740-599-7056
Photo via drdeangoon:Instagram
Kokosing River
25860 Coshocton Ave., Howard
This photo perfectly sums up what it’s like to float down a cool river with the sun blasting: amazing. Tubing down the Kokosing River out of Howard, Ohio, is made even more of a delight with the Kokosing Valley canoe livery’s help. Float for two hours, enjoy paradise.
Photo via @drdeangoon/InstagramPaint Creek
14000 US-50, Chillicothe
This Chillicothe tubing spot may be a haul from Cleveland, but just look at those trees. Bask in the solitude of the wilderness and historical sites here, and if you through Paint Creek Rental, the logistics of the trip are all taken care of for you. There’s even an option for a full day float trip.
Photo via @peachyparyn/InstagramPaint Creek
14000 US-50, Chillicothe
This Chillicothe tubing spot may be a haul from Cleveland, but just look at those trees. Bask in the solitude of the wilderness and historical sites here, and if you through Paint Creek Rental, the logistics of the trip are all taken care of for you. There’s even an option for a full day float trip.
Photo via @peachyparyn/InstagramHocking River
31251 Chieftain Dr., Logan
A recently added endeavor for the company, Hocking Hills Adventures now offers tubing. You’ll want to get on board and float down the Hocking River immediately.
Photo via @kaciebash/InstagramHocking River
31251 Chieftain Dr., Logan
A recently added endeavor for the company, Hocking Hills Adventures now offers tubing. You’ll want to get on board and float down the Hocking River immediately.
Photo via @kaciebash/InstagramGreat Miami River
1995 Ross Rd., Tipp City
As far as Miami River’s are concerned, this one is pretty Great. Float down with the help of Adventures on the Great Miami, which also offers camping spots, for those so inclined.
Photo via @tomfooleryoutdoors/InstagramGreat Miami River
1995 Ross Rd., Tipp City
As far as Miami River’s are concerned, this one is pretty Great. Float down with the help of Adventures on the Great Miami, which also offers camping spots, for those so inclined.
Photo via @cassidyfry/InstagramLittle Miami River
225 Corwin Rd., Oregonia
Little Miami River Canoe Rental offers a two-hour tube trip out of its Oregonia location. But as water levels do always change here, be sure to call before showing up for a float trip.
Photo via @hunterhartmann11/InstagramLittle Miami River
225 Corwin Rd., Oregonia, 513-899-3616
Distance: About 3 hours and 15 minutes from Cleveland.
Photo via cmillitzer:Instagram
Little Miami River
225 Corwin Rd., Oregonia
Little Miami River Canoe Rental offers a two-hour tube trip out of its Oregonia location. But as water levels do always change here, be sure to call before showing up for a float trip.
Photo via @cmillitzer/InstagramCuyahoga River
100 Stow St., Kent
Yes, it turns out you can innertube down the Cuyahoga River, a body of water that once caught on fire. Head down to the Kent State University area and let loose for the afternoon. No reservations are required through Crooked River Adventures at KSU, and it’s only $5.
Photo via @kelsey670/InstagramCuyahoga River
100 Stow St., Kent
Yes, it turns out you can innertube down the Cuyahoga River, a body of water that once caught on fire. Head down to the Kent State University area and let loose for the afternoon. No reservations are required through Crooked River Adventures at KSU, and it’s only $5.
Photo via @ jayyoerger/InstagramMad River
1455 River Rd., Urbana
Floating along the Mad River out of Urbana is entirely refreshing and relaxing. One might even say it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad tube trip spot. With help from Birch Bark Canoe Livery, the adventure is made even easier.
Photo via @trfgreek/InstagramMad River
1455 River Rd., Urbana
Floating along the Mad River out of Urbana is entirely refreshing and relaxing. One might even say it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad tube trip spot. With help from Birch Bark Canoe Livery, the adventure is made even easier.
Photo via @ mark93se/InstagramFloat the River in Cuyahoga Falls
2035 Old Town Loop, Cuyahoga Falls
Want to float down one of the most beautiful parts of the Cuyahoga River? This trip is perfect for you. From Water Works Park to River Front Parkway, two points in Cuyahoga Falls, this makes for a great outing.
Photo via Float The River/FacebookFloat the River in Cuyahoga Falls
2035 Old Town Loop, Cuyahoga Falls
Want to float down one of the most beautiful parts of the Cuyahoga River? This trip is perfect for you. From Water Works Park to River Front Parkway, two points in Cuyahoga Falls, this makes for a great outing.
Photo via Float The River/FacebookMahoning River Adventures
75 North Leavitt Rd. NW, Warren
Paddle the River offers self-guided kayak trips down the picturesque Mahoning River on their brand new Jackson Riviera Kayaks.
Photo via Mahoning River Adventures/FacebookMahoning River Adventures
75 North Leavitt Rd. NW, Warren
Paddle the River offers self-guided kayak trips down the picturesque Mahoning River on their brand new Jackson Riviera Kayaks.
Photo via Mahoning River Adventures/FacebookBurning River Adventures
2025 Munroe Falls, Cuyahoga Falls
It doesn’t get more beautiful than floating down the Cuyahoga River in the middle of a national park. Burning River Adventures offers just that opportunity with their kayaks and canoes.
Photo via Burning River Adventures/FacebookBurning River Adventures
2025 Munroe Falls, Cuyahoga Falls
It doesn’t get more beautiful than floating down the Cuyahoga River in the middle of a national park. Burning River Adventures offers just that opportunity with their kayaks and canoes.
Photo via Burning River Adventures/FacebookPortage River Paddling Company
3134 West Harbor Rd., Port Clinton
With two locations, one in Port Clinton and one in Oak Harbor, this paddling company offers unique and scenic rides down the Portage River. Spend an hour of the day enjoying the eagles, heron, turtles, and other abundant wildlife up close and personal.
Photo via Portage River Paddling Company/FacebookPortage River Paddling Company
3134 West Harbor Rd., Port Clinton
With two locations, one in Port Clinton and one in Oak Harbor, this paddling company offers unique and scenic rides down the Portage River. Spend an hour of the day enjoying the eagles, heron, turtles, and other abundant wildlife up close and personal.
Photo via Portage River Paddling Company/FacebookCamp Hi Canoe and Kayak
12274 Abbott Rd., Hiram
Just a stone’s throw away from Cleveland, you can enjoy one of Ohio’s most beautiful rivers at Camp Hi in Hiram. You’ll have a blast paddling the gentle, meandering river in one of their safe, easy-to-use kayak, canoe, or paddle boards.
Photo via Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak/FacebookCamp Hi Canoe and Kayak
12274 Abbott Rd., Hiram
Just a stone’s throw away from Cleveland, you can enjoy one of Ohio’s most beautiful rivers at Camp Hi in Hiram. You’ll have a blast paddling the gentle, meandering river in one of their safe, easy-to-use kayak, canoe, or paddle boards.
Photo via Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak/FacebookWest River Paddling Company
655 West River Rd., Vermillion
Vermillion is known for more than just the fabulous fine dining French restaurant Chez Francois. It’s also home to the scenic Vermillion River. At West River Paddling you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board for an awesome time.
Photo via West River Paddling Company/FacebookWest River Paddling Company
655 West River Rd., Vermillion
Vermillion is known for more than just the fabulous fine dining French restaurant Chez Francois. It’s also home to the scenic Vermillion River. At West River Paddling you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board for an awesome time.
Photo via West River Paddling Company/Facebook
