Summertime in Northern Nevada means living an incredible outdoor lifestyle. Whether you’re vacationing or have taken up permanent residence here, there are an abundance of activities to enjoy with your family and friends. From spending the day in Lake Tahoe to hiking in the Sierra Mountains, there’s no shortage of scenic views and fun to be had.
If you’ve spent any time in Reno, you’ll know that there’s one summer tradition that stands out from the rest—and that’s floating down the Truckee River. Part of the St. James’s lifestyle is grabbing a river tube and some sunscreen and heading to the river for a peaceful float on the cool, refreshing water. Whenever the river runs high enough (from rain or melted snowfall), you can be sure to find an array of colorful tubes and smiling faces floating downstream. Grab your tube and let’s get going, or should I say floating!
Reno Truckee River Tubing Tips from the Locals
There’s a large portion of Reno locals who are avid river floaters, meaning they know the ins and outs of floating down the Truckee River. Whether you decide to start in Verdi and float to Mayberry park or choose to start in Sparks and end up in Lockwood, we’ll help you get there safely with these river tubing tips.
Gather Your River Gear
The first step is to get the right gear in order. River tubes and rafts are the best option as they are typically more durable than a regular floating device. Preferably, you want something with a bottom and back to protect you from bumps and rocks. You can find tubes at most sporting-good stores or rent them from Sierra Adventures Gear Rentals. Having a paddle or rope can help move you along and keep you connected with friends.
Pick a Starting Point
Next, you’ll want to pick a starting point and arrange transportation at both ends. You can start at Idlewild Park or Mayberry Park and float to downtown Reno, or start up at Truckee, CA. The tubing in Truckee is more family friendly with calmer waters, while tubing in Reno has more rapids and rockier sections. Overall, the tubing experience is usually pretty calm if you take the right safety precautions. As far as transportation, you can leave a car at your stopping point or plan to have someone drive you back to your car. Remember though, the time it takes to float down the river is nothing like taking a nice drive or even a casual walk. You will likely be on the river for at least 2-3 hours, so prepare accordingly.
How To Properly Float with Minimal Difficulty
If you’re like many other new river floaters, you may feel nervous or anxious about how you’ll manage in the water. Tipping over, losing your belongings, getting hurt by rocks, and worse are all possible on the Truckee River. However, as long as you remain aware of your surroundings and vigilant when an upcoming rapid appears, you should come out completely unscathed.
Be wary of protruding rocks and branches as they can easily pop your tube, leaving you to walk the rest of the way to the end. To avoid hitting your bottom on rocks, always lift up when going over shallow or rocky areas, just be sure to keep your balance!
Also keep in mind that the more things you bring with you, the more you have to lose. While no one intends on flipping their tube and losing all their belongings, it does happen. Be sure that whatever you bring is water-proof or at least non valuable. It’s best to leave any valuables (such as cell phones, car keys, and cameras) at home to avoid breaking them or dropping them in the water. Instead, just unplug and enjoy the day!
Family-Friendly Floating
If you’re worried about your little ones on the river, then try a self-guided float with a river rafting company such as Truckee River Rafting. Not only is the water in this area more mellow compared to the Reno-Sparks area of the river, but the quality rafts and amenities provided by the rafting company make your floating experience much more enjoyable. They provide transportation from the end of your destination back to your vehicle along with highly durable commercial grade rafts made to handle the river’s worst features. Children ages 2-5 can float for free and all life vests and paddles are included.
St. James Lifestyle
The St. James gated community’s close proximity to the Truckee River, both in Truckee and Reno-Sparks makes it the ideal gated community for avid nature enthusiasts to settle down. Along with breathtaking views from our well-maintained hiking trails to the water of the Truckee River, there’s fun to be had all summer long in the gated community of St. James’s. Connect with us today to learn more about the custom homes in our Reno gated community!