Drift three hours down the Watauga River with River Dog Adventures’ Zen Tubing, a perfect blend of mellow current and natural beauty. Pack your cooler tube, grab your friends, and unwind in East Tennessee’s refreshing waters.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people of most fitness levels since the tubing is mostly passive drifting with occasional paddling.
Wildlife
History
The Watauga River was central to early Appalachian settlers and is near one of Tennessee’s oldest towns, Elizabethton, known for its Revolutionary War heritage.
Conservation
River Dog Adventures promotes Leave No Trace ethics and supports river cleanup efforts to keep this waterway healthy and beautiful.
River Dog Adventures
Drift three hours down the Watauga River with River Dog Adventures’ Zen Tubing, a perfect blend of mellow current and natural beauty. Pack your cooler tube, grab your friends, and unwind in East Tennessee’s refreshing waters.
River Dog Adventures is an outdoor recreation outfitter based in Elizabethton, Tennessee, that leads river experiences on the Watauga River. The company offers two core trips tailored to different preferences: Zen Tubing and a Guided Rafting Trip. Zen Tubing is a three-hour tubing experience that lets participants drift the river, enjoy the scenic mountain setting, and relax with a cooler tube to sip beverages while floating with friends. The Guided Rafting Trip is a half-day rafting excursion designed for families and groups, featuring Class 2 rapids, opportunities to jump from Pillar Rock, and a packed snack provided during the outing.
Both trips depart from locations on the Watauga River in East Tennessee and focus on time on the water amid mountain scenery. Zen Tubing emphasizes a relaxed float suitable for sun-soaked summer days, while the Guided Rafting Trip combines adventure and social activity with manageable rapids and scenic floats. River Dog Adventures books single trips for individuals and groups seeking a summer river activity in the Elizabethton area.
Reservations and trip details are managed by River Dog Adventures. Trip durations are stated as three hours for Zen Tubing and half-day for Guided Rafting Trip. The operation highlights the Watauga River as the setting for all listed experiences, offering accessible tubing and rafting options for visitors to East Tennessee. Seasonal availability focuses on warmer months for tubing and rafting, with schedules that align with summer recreational conditions on the Watauga River for visitors traveling to Elizabethton and surrounding areas.
Location
Elizabethton, TN
Based in Elizabethton, Tennessee
Trips Offered
2
Zen Tubing and Guided Rafting Trip
Typical Duration
3 hrs & half-day
Zen Tubing 3 hours; Rafting half-day
River
Watauga River
All trips run on the Watauga River
Book Zen Tubing or a Guided Rafting Trip in Elizabethton for a three-hour float or a half-day rafting adventure.
Bring a cooler tube
Enhance your float by bringing a cooler tube to keep beverages cool and accessible during the ride.
Wear water shoes
The riverbed can be rocky in sections—water shoes protect your feet and improve traction.
Use biodegradable sunscreen
Protect your skin while safeguarding the river’s ecosystem with eco-friendly sunscreen.
Secure valuables
Keep phones and keys in waterproof containers or leave them behind to prevent loss during the float.
Water shoes
Protects feet against rocks and provides grip when entering or exiting the river.
summer
Biodegradable sunscreen
Prevents sunburn while minimizing environmental impact on the river ecosystem.
summer
Dry bag
Keeps valuables dry and protected during the tubing adventure.
Hat with brim
Provides shade and reduces sun exposure for a more comfortable float.
summer