Tubing the Toccoa – What You Need to Know

Tubing the Toccoa River in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is the perfect way to relax and soak up the last bit of summer. Here at Rolling Thunder River Company, we offer the best tubing trips to ensure fun and relaxation for anyone over the age of 5. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot, and we want to share some of that knowledge to ensure that you have a great time on your tubing trip.

What You Should Wear

Being properly attired is important for both your comfort and safety. We require all guests to wear shoes that fit securely to prevent foot injuries. Old tennis shoes are perfect. Flip flops may be your summer staple, but leave them home for this trip!

Tubing is definitely a wet experience, so you will probably be most comfortable wearing either a bathing suit or shorts and a lightweight tee shirt. Don’t wear anything that will weigh you down if you get wet.

If you plan on wearing glasses or sunglasses, we recommend securing them with a retainer of some sort. Sun rays reflecting on the surface of the water can lead to serious sunburns, so don’t forget to wear sunscreen.

What to Expect

At Rolling Thunder River Company, we have a couple options for tubing trips. Because the Toccoa River is controlled by a dam and the TVA releases water as necessary, water levels and speed can change significantly. Our 1.5 mile trip, which usually takes about an hour during normal water conditions, can be over in just 20 minutes after water is released. To make up for this, we also offer a 3 mile trip that provides more time on the water when the river is running fast.

Tubing is an enjoyable activity for anyone who can swim, but it is still important to be careful. The water is deeper in some areas than others, and you may encounter rocks and small rapids along the way. To ensure your safety, please keep your life jacket securely fastened at all times.

Our vinyl inner tubes are designed for comfort. They have handles, and some have seats while others do not. To steer your tube, sit in the middle, lean backward and paddle with your hands while kicking your feet.

Final Notes

At the end of your trip, you will see a marked Rolling Thunder “take out”. This is where you get out of the river. If, for any reason, you need to get out of the river before the designated take out area, make sure you get out on the same side of the river that the road is on so that you will be able to begin walking back toward Rolling Thunder.

If you spot any critters in the water or along the shore, stay away. None of our guests have ever had any problems with local wildlife, and we want it to stay that way.

Here at Rolling Thunder River Company, we want all of our guests to have an amazing time. Tubing the Toccoa is a great activity for those who are looking to relax on the water and unwind at the end of summer. To learn more or to book your trip, visit our website.