Smoky mountain tubing puts you on some of the clearest, coldest mountain water in the Southeast, floating through old-growth forest inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can choose calm, scenic floats on the Little River, technical whitewater runs on Deep Creek, or long guided shuttle trips on the Oconaluftee. Rental companies handle gear and logistics so you can walk in and float out.
Whether you want to lounge back and let the current carry you or roll down rapids through ancient riverbeds, the mountains deliver both. Lush forest canopy, cool water, and a range of difficulty levels make tubing one of the most popular summer activities in the Smokies for families and solo visitors alike. Here is a breakdown of the best spots and outfitters in 2026.
A favorite location for tubing and splashing, the “The Townsend Y,” where the Little River and the Middle Prong of Little River join is one of the most easily accessed and popular tubing areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Located just beyond the Townsend entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the “The Townsend Y,” is where many tubing trips begin their float trips back towards and through Townsend, Tennessee.
Deep Creek is considered some of the more adventurous tubing and is a popular area for swimming. With water that originates in the mountain springs and flows through the rich and dense forests of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these waters are known to be among the purest and cleanest in the Southeastern United States.
The Deep Creek Section of the park is located just outside Bryson City and has been described as “Nature’s Water Ride.” It consists of two sections. The upper whitewater section is known for its rougher, wilder waters, especially after a good rain. This bumbling ride ends in a deep and wide swimming hole. The upper section flows from where Indian Creek joins Deep Creek through the narrow Deep Creek gorge.
For visitors wishing to experience a pristine river near the historic town of Cherokee, North Carolina, the Oconaluftee River offers a fun and scenic float from this side of the park. Like other rivers in the park, the Oconaluftee River is considered one of the cleanest and clearest rivers in the southeastern United States.
Flowing forth from the Cherokee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these pure waters travel up and out of the park and through the town of Cherokee, NC.
Located just up the road from Gatlinburg on 321, The Greenbrier area is a lesser known recreation area for tubing and swimming holes in the Smoky Mountains. While this isn’t an official tubing route, you will see pull-offs along Greenbrier Road where many locals and “tourists in the know” pull off to take a dip or hop in a tube.
While some people rent their own tubes and create their own tubing adventure, numerous tubing companies near Gatlinburg offer guidance on specific routes, provide shuttles, tube safety tips, and more.
Located in the Deep Creek area, JJs Tube Rental is well known for their old-fashioned tubes, more like truck tire material that have hard plastic seats tied in the middle with rope. These more durable tubes are fit to ride and tame the rapids and keep you comfortable along the way. They also offer tubes without seats in the middle for those who want to dip their bottom, and tubes in kid and adult sizes.
Deep Creek Lodge and Tubing Center has continued the legacy of offering family-fun and the tubing gear needed to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the park. Located directly adjacent to the Deep Creek section and entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Deep Creek Lodge and Tubing Center offers a takeout spot right from the flowing creeks just as you exit the National Park.
For tubers who have worked up an appetite battling the rapids or just lounging about, Deep Creek Lodge and Tubing Center offers a snack shop and pavilion where tubers can have a lunch, snack, or meal located right beside the creek. There are also plenty of restaurants in Gatlinburg to refuel.
Cherokee Rapids is popular for offering one of the longest trips in the area and their famous “Big Cove” Route. This float trip starts two miles upstream from Cherokee Rapids Little Princess Location. Visitors are shuttled into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and dropped just beyond the Cherokee Visitors Center.
For guests with smaller children seeking a more relaxing float trip, Cherokee Rapids offers the “Island” Route. This family-friendly Smoky Mountain attraction is a 2-mile float that begins at the Little Princess location and drifts through the town of Cherokee to Oconaluftee Islands River Park.
Located in Townsend, The Smoky Mountain River Rat offers two river trips on The Little River, on an upper and lower section. The upper section is the more adventurous and scenic route, with rolling rapids and swimming holes along the way. The lower section is a more relaxed, family-friendly float with a rock jump, rope swing, and gentler current than the upper trip.
Tubing is one of the best ways to experience the Great Smoky Mountains National Park up close, and 2026 brings no shortage of excellent options across Tennessee and North Carolina. Elk Springs Resort is a perfect base for exploring the top tubing spots, with easy access to every location listed here. Whether you are after an adrenaline run through a gorge or a slow afternoon float with the kids, the rivers of the Smokies deliver.
Best Pigeon Forge Cabins With Indoor Pool
Places to Visit in Gatlinburg: The Luxury Smoky Mountains Guide
How To Find a Rustic Cabin Rental In Gatlinburg
Favorite Cabin Amenities
Smoky Mountains Tennessee Cabins: Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
9 Gatlinburg Hiking Trails You Won’t Want To Miss in 2026
