Columbia, South Carolina is privid to have three rivers running practically through downtown. A great way to beat the heat during those dog daze of summer is by taking a little trip down the river in a tube, canoe or kayak. Personally, I enjoy a great kayak trip but that takes a little bit of skill and not everyone wishes to learn. For a less labor intense way to enjoy the river, consider signing up for a super fun river tube trip and just go float. It’s a perfectly relaxing way to beat the heat and see the City from a different angle.

• 

There are quite a few tour companies to sign up with but we typically use Palmetto Outdoors. The main appeal is that they actually set up on the banks of the river and you can grab a tube and go on your own or you can take one of their buses to a location further up the river for a longer float. https://palmettooutdoor.com/tube-trips

• 

• 

We reserved 5 tubes and took the bus option that allowed us to put our tubes in the Saluda River above the Zoo. It’s always fun to float under the Riverbanks Pedestrian Bridge, families get a kick out of waving and saying hello from above. Eventually the Saluda meets the Broad and there they become the Congaree. I cannot convey just how beautiful the area is and how unique it is to see the three rivers come together as it’s not something you can easily see from the banks unless you just happen to know a property owner and like to hike. Further up the river, the Saluda features huge rapids. That’s not exactly the kind of fun and excitement we were looking for on this lazy Sunday afternoon but we did see kayakers out in the middle of the rapids, practicing their skills. That looked exhausting and somewhat terrifying.

• 

• 

Our trip was $25 each for the deluxe tubes, life jacket and shuttle service. Parking at the West Columbia River Walk is tight, we found a spot on State Street which is about a two block walk. The City of West Columbia also offers shuttle services to and from the river district during the summer, so check their website for those details. A guide goes over the route and safety precautions before guiding you down to the launch site. You are welcome to take coolers, snacks, etc, some folks bring along a smaller inexpensive float to tie off to their tubes for provisions. The river water is quite chilly and refreshing. We took along carabiners to secure our dry bag, water camera and to attach our tubes to one another. I had also frozen bottles of water for each of us to take along and they stayed cold the entire trip. The guide did offer rope for tying tubes together right before we launched but I am not sure that is a standard offering so you might want to be prepared and bring your own. We didn’t stay connected the entire float but at certain areas we hooked up so that we could stay together. It’s easy to lose one another on the river as some will move faster than others for many reasons. On this trip we were responsible for 3 teenagers so definitely didn’t want anyone getting out of site.

After launching we almost immediately went through a small rapid. There were about 6 or 7 small rapids along the route, most at the end once you hit the Congaree and none of them over a 2.5 class. All of them are easy and fun as long as you watch out for rocks and steer yourself accordingly. The second rapid on the trip is a bit larger and longer than the others and it is SO MUCH FUN! I am told that some people get out, walk up the bank and do it over and over again. I am not sure that I am quite that skilled as getting in and out of the raft is a bit challenging. Admittedly the end of the float is the most fun and exciting where the beginning is more relaxing, or boring if you are teenager.

The river and surrounding area is gorgeous. We saw beautiful homes built along the banks. What a treat because most of these homes are not visible from the road. I can only imagine how breathtaking the views are from inside of these homes.

We saw quite a few turtles, fish jumping here and there and birds soaring overhead. Fortunately we didn’t see any snakes, gators or other unsavory river animals.

Tips: Allow approximately 3 hours give or take for your float. Wear water shoes (we picked ours up at CVS for bogo), although you don’t have to touch the river bottom much it is covered in LARGE rocks, think boulders, and you do need to walk in and out of the water and be prepared should you flip over or want to bank and swim a bit. Lather up with Sunscreen before you pick up your tubes, bug spray might be good to have on hand if you are susceptible to bites although it was not very buggy during our trip. Definitely wear a hat and I would recommend shorts and a water shirt over your bathing suit, you can take those items off along the way if you desire. Invest in a dry bag or box if you have any other type items that you would like to carry such as your ID’s, chap-stick, inhaler or epi-pen for those with allergies, etc. Less is better. You will need to leave your car key with the attendant where you pick up your tube. Don’t worry, they have a tagging system and will give it back to you as soon as you return the tubes and life vests. Be prepared for a bit of an uncomfortable bus/van ride. It’s hot and they pack you in but it’s a short drive so shouldn’t be too terrible. Also be prepared for a little walk, some of it on uneven ground, carrying your tube and gear to the launch area. Again, I can’t stress enough that you will want to have on shoes, preferably water type shoes with good soles as some of this walk is on a hot asphalt road and then back down a gravel covered dirt path.

All five of us make it back to the take out spot without incident and even the teenagers managed to enjoy themselves for a few hours without their phones and technical devices, shocking, I know. We highly recommend a trip down the river as a fun way to beat the summer heat.