River Rat Tubing

Great place to have a birthday bash and have lots of funzies! Only $ 11 and the bus driver Wayne is awesome! Will go back for sure!

Love the river rat! Very friendly, and clean– it’s like a dollar more than some of the other tubing places I’ve been to in that area BUT you also get access to their wears valley location (another tubing set up on a different part of the river right down the road). Plenty of parking and the staff and drivers have always been great!

We hit River Rat after the summer rush, so we haven’t experienced the total craziness. Nevertheless, we were totally satisfied with their service and friendliness. No significant waiting for a bus, and a great trip on the river. Fun! And stop for a malt next door when you’re done.

Excellent! We had a great time. Very relaxing and my kids had a blast. I wanted to come to Gatlinburg and experience the mountains, not just the «touristy» stuff. I would recommend this to anyone. Tip: get the tubes with the bottoms built in. Very relaxing.

Very clean facility, awesome staff, quality floats. I would suggest getting tethers for any kid under the age of 10. I tethered my 3 year old to me and my husband and 9 year old son float by themselves. It wasn’t the «perfect» experience I had envisioned, but my expectations were set a little higher. I would suggest taking new pictures for the brochure of a mom and child going down the rapids instead of calm water, but the water was high the day so our kids had a couple of freak outs and got stuck on a rock or 2. We will be back, but probably in a few years or WITHOUT the kids. Haha

Very relaxing ride down the river. The company was efficient and polite. Tubes were in good shape. Clean facility (changing rooms and bathrooms).
There were a few hundred people also going down the river so it felt a little like a lazy river ride but still great. The Rapids were tiny and water was chilly. The take out point was well marked and people were there to help you out and take your tube. We waited less than five minutes for a shuttle. Would highly recommend!

We had a fabulous time tubing in Townsend, TN today thanks to River Rats. Every employee we encountered was so enthusiastic and friendly. They weren’t just acting like they enjoyed their job, THEY REALLY WERE ENJOYING THEMSELVES! Thanks for a good olé fashioned fun time River Rats!

Such a fun time on the river! 15 bucks per person isn’t really that bad, and you could be on the river all day if you’d like! People here are friendly and willing to help. Very much fun!

I was nervous to take my 2 ½ year old on this excursion, but even with the higher water levels — he had a blast! Not scared at all. I tethered him onto my tube, which kept my stress levels low. A must-​do when in the area.

This was my second trip to this location for tubing. We have two kids– ages 2 and 8. If you carry kids under 5, you have to do the lower area tubing, where there is less rapids. We went after a rainy day thankfully. Parts moved very slow (we were paddling to hurry through). They provide tubes with bottoms for younger kids which is very convenient. Also, they have tethers, so me and my toddlers tube were hooked together to keep her from getting too far. My first trip to this location was around 9 years ago (no kids, so I did the upper river) and the upper river is a lot more fun and a lot less work. This location has very nice changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers. Also, the gift shop inside has anything you might have forgotten for your trip. Staff is very helpful. They’ve added an rv park on site since my last visit, which we are thinking of trying out next time.

I’m sure that tubing would have been really awesome if it weren’t for the low River. We were told we may have to do a little walking because it’s low. However, at least half (probably a bit more) of the river we were concerned about hitting rocks. We got stuck and my husband had to do quite a bit of work to push and paddle us through the river. It would be best to let your customers know they would need to do a lot of walking or just not sell tickets while the river is down. A lazy afternoon of tubing turned into a workout. It really was ridiculous.

Awesome experience! Very well organized and the track of river the excursion is on, has lots of little rapids that are really fun! Better than the other guys tubing because the tubes are higher quality and the all day nonstop bus rides back to the beginning are great. I would definitely go again! They also have a shuttle service to take you to and from your car. The price is reasonable because you can come back later during the day and go again!

Very relaxing experience on the river. The water was low, but we still had fun. The staff was helpful and made sure we were safe after a passing thunder storm. A must do trip for anyone in the area.

Very fun time! I suggest getting a tether and hooking it on to your own tube if you have smaller children as they can float at different speeds. These can be purchased at the store for a $ 2 deposit. Definitely one of the things you can enjoy on a hot Tennessee day!

Super friendly service. We got an early bird rate since we showed up at 10 when they opened. The charge a couple bucks more than their competition. I stopped at three of them the day before. Their tubes are definitely better and you have the option to go to the other River Rat and ride that section as well.

Our family was staying in Gatlinburg and were excited to tube with River Rat. Prior to leaving yesterday, we called and were assured via the voicemail message that River Rat was open for the season and that they opened daily from 10am. Our family drove the hour from Gatlinburg to find that the River Rat storefront was locked and no one was there. We called back and once again the voicemail assured us they were open. My husband left a voicemail letting them know we were in the parking lot and wondering if they were open. We waited about 15 minutes before leaving and never received a call back. If they are going to close early or not open for the day, the least the could do is change their voicemail or leave a sign on the door. I wouldn’t drive out here for them again.

Best part of vacation! My family and I took two kayaks and two tubes, and had so much fun! It was my first time in a kayak and the water was high, but it was pretty much a breeze. Our two tubers enjoyed hanging onto the back of the kayaks so they could keep up/​maneuver through the small rapids. Be sure to wear water shoes or something that won’t fall off your feet. Reasonable pricing and friendly staff.

Super well organized and great value for $ 10 group costs. River could use a little more water some hit ground a little less, but we all had a great time.

An excellent family adventure! River Rat has two offices about a mile apart. From the office closer to the Smokey Mountain entrance a small bus takes you and your raft upstream so that you can run «the rapids.». For us it was about a 45 minute trip. Mostly the rapids were mild but 1 of our group of 14 did flip over and cut up his back on some sharp rocks. He will survive with vivid memories. So go and enjoy but you could be surprised.
The second trip begins at the second building and you will need to drive there from building #1. That trip is about 1 ½ hours with a few mild rapids. It was very enjoyable.
Both rivers runs have a spot with a rope tied around a tree branch for kids to swing out like Tarzan over the river. These aren’t sanctioned activities so make sure you watch your kids. They can slip climbing the rocks or hurt themselves in 100 other ways — like kids do all the time. That is part of what makes it an adventure after all.
But I will end my review with the staff of River Rats. They were all friendly and helpful.
Our entire group had a great time and there was a unanimous agreement of a 5 star rating. A very rare feat!!!

This place is a ton of fun! The first time I went tubing in Townsend I used River Rat. Now, I never go anywhere else to rent a tube but here. They have a shuttle that will pick you up halfway down the little river and take you back up to the top. I have always gone with the $ 5 tube and it has always held up throughout the ride. They also take you back to your car once you are done with your ride.
I always wear old tennis shoes that I wear in the water and even though I should take my own advice about not wearing sunglasses I always seem to wear a pair and I always lose them. If you decide to wear sunglasses just make sure that they are very secure and won’t be falling in the water. Once they fall off your head, they are long gone.
If you are looking for something fun to do and its hot outside, I recommend that you take a little drive to Townsend, don’t forget your bathing suits, and rent a tube from River Rat to cruise down the little river. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Cheers and Enjoy!