Looking to soak up some sunshine, splash around with family and friends, and let the current carry your cares downstream? You won’t find a more relaxing and ridiculously fun way to spend a summer day than river tubing in southeastern Minnesota. With scenic bluffs, quaint towns, peaceful forests, and winding waters, this corner of the state is overflowing with float-worthy adventures, no matter if you’re dreaming of a lazy day trip from Rochester or planning your next weekend getaway. So, grab your sunscreen, cooler, and water shoes, and let’s dive in!
Zumbro River: Rochester’s Backyard Tubing Destination
Located right in Rochester’s backyard, roughly a 30-minute drive away, the Zumbro River is the go-to tubing spot for locals looking for a convenient float close to home. This rambling river offers a slow, steady current, plenty of sandbars for pulling off and relaxing, and some of the best scenic views in the area — with forested banks, rocky outcrops, and possibly even the occasional wildlife sighting.
Zumbro River Ratz
59155 Wabasha County Rd 2, Millville, MN 55957
Located in Millville, Minnesota, family-owned Zumbro River Ratz offers everything you need for your 2- to 4-hour aquatic adventure. The actual length of your journey is, of course, up to you and the elements. After picking up your tubes, including a cooler tube for your snacks and drinks, you and your crew will pile onto a shuttle bound for Hammond, MN, where you will begin your voyage 6 miles upstream. Please note that Zumbro River Ratz is open daily from June to August, provided river conditions are favorable. Appointments are highly recommended, especially on weekends, and are available between 10 AM and 2 PM. (Keep in mind that 2 PM is the latest time you can start your tubing experience. You do not need to be finished by that time.) Credit cards are not accepted.
Pricing: $20 to $25 per tube, depending on size and style
Zumbro Valley Canoe Rental
61772 US-63, Zumbro Falls, MN 55991
Tucked inside the Sportsman’s Park campground in Zumbro Falls, Zumbro Valley Canoe Rental is the place to go if you’re not sure whether you’d rather float or paddle your way downstream. With a mix of tubes, kayaks, and canoes, this outfitter offers a flexible aquatic experience along the Zumbro River. Rentals begin at 9 AM and run until 1 PM for tubes and 3 PM for canoes and kayaks. Once you begin your adventure, you have 7 miles to kick back, relax, and enjoy the scenery and good company before arriving in Hammond for your complimentary van ride back to the campground, with the last shuttle leaving for Zumbro Falls at 7 PM.
Pricing: $20 per tube, $40 per kayak, $50 per canoe
Root River Outfitters
Root River: Bluff Country Beauty
Set in the heart of southeastern Minnesota’s scenic Bluff Country, the Root River is a bit farther from Rochester at around an hour away, but well worth the drive. Surrounded by limestone bluffs and thick woods, this river is known for its clear water and peaceful pace, making it ideal for a full day of floating and recharging. It’s so popular, in fact, that it was recently named the 8th best river for tubing in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. Want to stretch out the fun? Turn your day trip on the river into a weekend getaway with a stay in the charming town of Lanesboro.
Root River Outfitters
101 Parkway Ave S, Lanesboro, MN 55949
Nestled in Lanesboro’s quaint downtown, Root River Outfitters offers a full-service tubing experience, complete with shuttle service, life jackets, changing rooms, and tubes for your cooler. You can even splash out and get a “fancy” tube with a backrest and a cup holder for the ultimate lazy river luxury. Your self-guided journey starts just behind the outpost, meandering down the river’s idyllic south branch for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours before being picked up (for free!) and brought safely back to your vehicle. Rentals start at 10 AM and run until 2 PM, and no reservations are required. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available.
Pricing: $20 to $25 per tube, depending on style; $50 to $60 per kayak and $60 to $70 per canoe, depending on the route
Cannon River: The Perfect Combo of Fun, Relaxation, and Scenery
Just under an hour from Rochester, not far from Red Wing and the Twin Cities, the Cannon River is popular for its mix of gentle rapids, beautiful wooded landscapes, and both shorter and longer float options. Often offering a bit more of a party vibe, depending on who shows up to the river that day, it’s a great pick for a lively group tubing trip.
Welch Mill Canoeing, Tubing, & Kayaking
26389 County 7 Blvd, Welch, MN 55089
Welch Mill Canoeing & Tubing
Family-owned and operated, Welch Mill is a well-loved Cannon River outfitter with a reputation for fun. Two different tubing routes are available to choose from, making it easy to fit as much or as little floating into your day as possible. Trips range from 2 to 4 hours long, give or take, based on river conditions. Best of all, for those with more flexible schedules, cheaper rates are available on off-peak days during the week. Shuttle bus service is complimentary, and canoe and kayak rentals are also available. Only cash is accepted.
Pricing: $18 per tube on Monday to Thursday, $20 per tube on Friday to Sunday and holidays; $40 to $65 per kayak and $40 to $55 per canoe, depending on the route and style
Cannon Falls Canoe & Bike Rental
615 5th St N, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
Want to float with your family and friends by your side? (And no, I don’t just mean holding onto the handle of your bestie’s tube or crafting a makeshift flotilla by tying your tubes together with twine. Although you can definitely do that, too.) If so, then tubing with Cannon Falls Canoe & Bike Rental is for you. Unlike the other outfitters on this list, this spot along the Cannon River offers a mix of mini rafts and catamarans for one, as well as inflatable, multi-person rafts for 4 to 8 people. Each 8-mile trip takes around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the river’s flow, and includes paddles, life jackets, and shuttle service. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available. Reservations are recommended, and both credit cards and cash are accepted.
Pricing: $30 per single-person mini raft or catamaran, $120 per 4-person raft, $160 per 6-person raft; $50 to $60 per kayak, depending on the style, and $60 per canoe
Tubing Tips Before You Go
Ready to make a splash? Tubing in southeastern Minnesota is the perfect mix of lazy-day leisure and outdoor fun. Just pick a river, round up your crew, and let the good times flow. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning out your adventure.
- Call ahead: River conditions can change quickly with the weather. Check in with your chosen outfitter before heading out.
- Pack smart: Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and a waterproof pouch — Ziploc baggies work great — for your phone or keys. Water shoes are highly recommended! And be sure to leave the Styrofoam coolers and glass bottles at home. They aren’t allowed on the water and will be confiscated.
- Don’t litter: Keep the rivers beautiful for everyone. Bring a trash bag to carry out what you bring along.
- Stay safe: Most outfitters provide life jackets, so be sure to take advantage of them, especially for kids or non-swimmers.
What’s your favorite spot to go river tubing near Rochester? Leave a comment below!
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