The Missoula Valley is abundant with waterways, and hands down the easiest way to enjoy these rivers is via a river tube! On hot summer days the Clark Fork River, which runs right through town, is a tubers dream. Easy access to the river and stunning views leads to Missoula being a tubing Mecca. Here is Love Boat’s Top 10 tips for tubing Missoula.
1) Use a Tube shuttle: Want to make your tubing experience easy? Hire Love Boat tube shuttles to provide you with the tubes, a ride to the river and a pick up to make your life easy. Our tube shuttles relieve parking stress and give new floaters a safer more enjoyable trip. All tube shuttles allow you top float from Sha-Ron-ron river access to McCormick Park in Downtown Missoula.
2) Stay warm: Soak up the summer heat with early timed floats. Don’t be the poor souls putting in for a tube float at 5 pm. The evening Hellgate Canyon Winds will chill you to the bone. We recommend getting on the water no later then 3 pm. Love Boat tube shuttles run 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
3) Watch for bridge pile-ons: When floating its easy to get carried away having fun but always keep an eye out for the bridges. Avoid getting stuck on them by staying away!
4) Don’t stand up in the river: The Clark Fork River is so clear and beautiful but don’t be fooled. Standing in the river can be dangerous. Avoid foot entrapment while floating by keeping your feet off the bottom.
5) Bring water: Hydration is key to making your tube float last. Beer taste good but water can keep you and others safer on the water.
6) Use river friendly sunscreen: Protect Montana Waterways while tubing with water friendly sunscreen. Check out Maddhippie sincere. The fish will thank you!
7) Pick up your trash: This is Love Boats biggest rule while tubing Missoula. Every year we find thousands of beers cans, sunscreen bottles, and trash all long our river. Be a responsible floater and pick up your trash.
8) Enjoy a time out: It is easy to just go with the flow on your tube float through town but stop once in a while and enjoy a nice beach with a view. Getting out for even 10 minutes can help you warm up and appreciate the Hellcat Canyon.
9) Take a dry bag: Dry bags are a wonderful addition to floating. They allow you to bring snacks, cell phones, extra layers and more. Love Boat tube rentals provide you with dry bags for you groups so you can bring some extra gear.
10) Don’t get hammered drunk: Everything in this list can be accomplished or avoided by just taking it easy on the booze. Most people who find themselves in trouble on the river are drunk or on there way. Don’t be that person. Be safe and have respect for the river, yourself and your friends.
BONUS: Wear a life jacket!!!!