Deep River Tubing, Sanford NC

Deep River Tubing

Activities River Tubing

Skill level Beginner

Age 3+ years

Weight limit 300 lbs/person

Duration
Up to 4 hours, traveling 2 miles (depends on water level). Please contact us with any questions about trip duration estimates closer to your scheduled reservation date at (919) 495‑5555

River features
2.1 miles, flatwater and spots of shade, historic sites

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Trip Cost

Regular Tube

1 cupholder; NO backrest or mesh floor

$39

Cooler Carrier Tube

tube for personal belongings and refreshments

$15

Premium Tube

1 cupholder, backrest, mesh floor

$44

Deep River Tubing

This 2.1 section of the Deep River is ideal for all ages (3 and up) for a lazy float on a tube with family or friends. Float under two train trestles from the early 20th century and wade near Native American fish traps and end your journey by Camelback bridge that was built in 1901.    

Things to know before you go

Reservations REQUIRED for all Sanford/Deep River outpost trips

Reservations are required for ALL Deep River outpost trips!
We cannot accept walk-ins at this location. Online bookings made 24 hours in advance must be made for trips on the Deep River.

The river is a wilderness environment!

The river is a natural, uncontrolled environment, so conditions can change quickly. You may experience sun, rain, wind, or even a pop‑up thunderstorm (we monitor severe weather conditions like this VERY closely, and always keep our customers’ safety top-of-mind). Rocks, mud, and deeper water are all part of the landscape, and you may encounter local wildlife as well.

With a little awareness and preparation, we can all enjoy the river safely and make the most of our Deep River adventures 😉

A note about other recreational use of this area.

This section of the Deep River flows through a shared outdoor recreation area. For much of this route, the river passes approximately 3 miles away (as the crow flies) from the Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting School. Guests may hear controlled shooting sounds during operating hours. Please rest assured that any shooting you hear comes from a professionally managed activity that takes place well away from the river and does not impact the safety or enjoyment of your trip.

Slow and low!

It’s the river that’s “LAZY”! Typical water levels are low creating a very slow current! Normal tubing trip will last around 4 hours in the summer-time. The river bottom is very rocky, water shoes with toe protection and back strap are a must! After heavier rains the river level might come up creating stronger and faster current; at higher levels the trip can be as short as 1.5 hours (not typical for summer time).

No glass containers!

We will check coolers to ensure no glass containers are being brought on the river.

What to wear

Tubing is mostly a warm‑weather activity, so plan to wear a swimsuit, shorts, or any clothing you don’t mind getting wet. Closed‑toe footwear is highly recommended—water shoes, secure sandals, or old sneakers all work well. Avoid flip‑flops at all costs, as they easily slip off in the water. The Sanford outpost is very primitive. There is a porta-potty located at the Deep River Park. Bringing an extra set of dry clothes to keep in your car is a great idea!

What to bring

Plenty of water! Plan on taking one 12 oz bottle of water per person per river hour. Absolutely no glass containers! Nalgene bottles or regular plastic bottled water is your best option.

Sunscreen is a must, even on cooler days!! Alternatively, you can wear long sleeve clothing.

Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended! There is a great chance of you having to walk on rocky riverbed at some point or another.

Lunch and snacks. Bring along your cooler, mid to larger sized coolers fit very nicely in our cooler carrier tubes.

Please note: our cooler carrier is just a carrier and doesn’t include a cooler. Our generously sized cooler carriers can hold up to a larger-sized cooler.

Dry clothes: We strongly suggest bringing a change of dry clothes to leave in your car after your river adventure.

Paracord: A string or cord to attach tubes together, if you choose to. We also have cord for sale at our Lillington outpost gift shop. We no longer offer complimentary cord due to excessive littering and overuse. Please be sure to remove your cord at the end of the trip.

Other Items: Cameras, water toys, speakers, etc.

Picture Gallery

Trip F.A.Q.

YES! Reservations are required for ALL Deep River outpost trips! We cannot accept walk-ins at our Deep River location.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your activity, please do so at least 72 hours before your activity start time for a full refund or a no‑fee reschedule. Inside 72 hours, bookings are final and cannot be changed or refunded. We will do our best to accommodate your trip as scheduled. However, we reserve the right to adjust your activity due to river conditions or weather by rescheduling, offering a different activity, or issuing credit

3 years old and up.

300 lb

We promote healthy living and healthy enjoyment of the great outdoors! Alcohol is not recommended to have an amazing time on the river, however if you must… Responsible, moderate consumption is strongly enforced. All North Carolina and Waterways laws apply and are closely monitored by local law enforcement and NC Wildlife law enforcement.

ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS CONTAINERS OR LIQUOR!

You have to have at least one 18 year old individual in your party out on the water. Anyone else under 18 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Choose any river activity that suits your group the best. Once you have the date, group count, and trip picked, we will email a quote to the Trip Leader that has the appropriate discount applied.

Groups must be paid for in one single payment to qualify for our group discount. Give us a call 919.495.5555 or contact us with questions.

Yes! We offer 10% discount for military, EMS, Fire, Police, Teachers, and Students. Use Promo Code SERVICE when making your online reservations. Be sure to have your military or relevant ID with you when checking in on the day of your trip!

At our Sanford/Deep River outpost, personal tubes are not allowed. Our Lillington location does have this option, however.

Yes, we do! We accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

There are no gators or sharks, but there are water snakes. They are mostly non-aggressive type, but we ask you to respect wildlife and keep your distance. Checking your surroundings while on water goes a long way. Any incidents with wildlife are extremely rare and generally it is a unique experience to spot any wildlife while out on the river!

Dogs are not allowed on this trip.

Our Cooler Carrier tube is large enough to carry a medium to large-sized “Yeti” type cooler.