Best Time of Year to Visit Zion
Tips for Tubing the Virgin River
A Local’s Guide to Tubing near St. George
Family-Friendly Adventures in Zion
One Day Itinerary: Hiking, Tubing, and Dining
Glamping and Swimming Near Zion Tubing
More Fun Things to Do in Zion
Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. The stunning red cliffs, endless hikes and the Virgin River bring visitors back year after year. Whether you live nearby or flew across the country to visit Zion, here is our ultimate guide for tubing the Virgin River and other adventures near Virgin, Utah. Make the most of your time in Zion National Park this season!
Best Time of Year to Visit Zion
Zion National Park is a great place to visit any time of the year, but the winters can be surprisingly cold in the desert. To experience the best time of year for tubing the Virgin River and everything else Zion offers, we recommend visiting from late spring until early fall. Zion Tubing opens each season around the middle of May and closes after labor day each year. Opening day kicks off next season on May 17, 2025, so save the date!
If you are looking for some cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, floating the Virgin River is recommended from the middle of May to the middle of June before the summer rush. If you are visiting Zion in the summer, we suggest going on an early morning hike in the park and then heading to Zion Tubing after for a mid to late morning float. This will ensure your experience includes fewer crowds and avoids the scorching heat.
Tips for Tubing the Virgin River
Now that you know the best time of year to visit Zion for floating the river, make sure you come prepared for a fun and safe tubing experience. Here are some of our tips to stay safe floating the Virgin River near Zion.
Wear Proper Shoes: Protect your feet from sharp rocks and slippery terrain by wearing sturdy, secure footwear like water shoes, Tevas, or Chacos. Avoid flip-flops or other sandals since they can easily float down the river, never to be seen again!
Use Sun Protection: The sun in Utah can be intense, so come prepared with sun protection such as sunscreen, hats, polarized sunglasses and UPF clothing or an oversized t-shirt to protect your skin from getting a sunburn,
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can sneak up on you in the desert, even when you are floating in a body of water! Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during your Virgin River float. We provide tubes with large cup holders on your float down the river.
Keep Valuables Dry: Use dry bags or waterproof cases for phones or other valuables. Take advantage of Zion Tubing’s key check service to avoid water damage or lost keys. If you don’t need something on the river, don’t bring it! Leave any unnecessary valuables in your car or at home.
Beat the Crowds: During the summer, Zion Tubing can get crowded in the middle of the day. Arrive early in the morning or visit midweek in May or June to enjoy quieter, cooler conditions and avoid the crowds.
Pay Attention to the Weather: Don’t go tubing down the river if it looks like there will be rain in the forecast. The harsh desert environment in Southern Utah is prone to flash flooding, so make sure to only float the Virgin River when the weather is good.
A Local’s Guide to Tubing Near St. George
Although Zion Tubing isn’t as touristy as other popular places in Zion, we see a flow of tourists coming to tube the Virgin River, especially during the summer. For all our locals wanting to escape the heat, we want to make sure you’re aware of the best place and best time to go tubing in Virgin.
The best place to go tubing around here is on our stretch of the river in Virgin. It’s free of hazards such as tree strainers and has a consistent flow of water. Dams and inconsistent flows affect other parts of the river. The best time for locals to come tubing is in the morning to beat the tourist crowds that come during the heat of the day.
For locals living near Hurricane, Springdale, St. George, and beyond, we also offer season float passes at Zion Tubing. This is a great way to make the most of your summer and float the Virgin River as much as you would like. There are a variety of options, including a single season float pass, couples pass or a family pass.
Family-Friendly Adventures in Zion
Tubing on the Virgin River is one of the best family-friendly activities around Zion due to how calm and relaxing this section of the river is. Children ages four and up can float the river and children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket by Utah state law. Our staff at Zion Tubing monitors our section of the river daily to ensure it is safe for tubing.
Besides taking a tube ride down the Virgin River, there are several fun activities for families around Zion. The Riverside Walk in Zion National Park is a paved and flat trail that runs along the river and offers small swimming holes to take a dip and cool off. Visiting Grafton Ghost Town is an exciting activity for kids and taking part in the junior ranger activities through the national park is always a highlight for families with children. If you are looking for an evening activity in Zion for the entire family, book a stargazing tour with Stargazing Zion and for the best place to stay near Zion with kids, we recommend Zion River Resort.
One Day Itinerary: Hiking, Tubing, and Dining
If you live close to Zion or are on vacation in Southern Utah, check out our one day itinerary for exploring Zion and the surrounding areas. This is the perfect itinerary for anyone who loves to hike, go tubing and eat good food.
Start the morning early by grabbing breakfast and a lunch to go in the town of Springdale, Utah, at the entrance of the national park. Then head into Zion National Park and take a hike before the crowds hit the trails. The best hikes in Zion National Park are Angels Landing (permit required), the Narrows and the Emerald Pools.
Later in the day, escape the heat by floating down the river with Zion Tubing for an hour and a half of the most relaxing and comfortable tube ride ever! Enjoy a leisurely river float and cool off along the way from the desert heat.
In the late afternoon and evening, explore the town of Springdale and dine at one of the delicious restaurants in town such as Bit & Spur or King’s Landing Bistro.
Glamping and Swimming Near Zion Tubing
Virgin is becoming known as the glamping capital of Utah and it’s the perfect place for a weekend escape. Because of its proximity to Zion, the stunning views and the variety of options for swimming, it has become a top getaway destination in Southern Utah.
Take a rinse in the Virgin River by swimming or tubing, or check out nearby Quail Creek State Park or Sand Hollow State Park to swim in the reservoir. For a luxury glamping experience near Zion, our favorite spots are Open Sky and Zion White Bison Resort. There are endless options to choose from, so you won’t be disappointed with all the incredible options!
If you are hoping to escape the heat from Las Vegas or St. George this summer and are looking for a quick weekend gateway, Virgin is the place to go for a glamping experience.
More Fun Things to Do in Zion
Zion National Park offers so many endless adventures beyond tubing, the Virgin River. Here are some of our favorite top attractions in Zion:
Stargazing: The best evening activity in Zion! Enjoy the dark skies of Utah with a professional stargazing tour with Stargazing Zion.
Zion Jeep Tours: Explore the lesser known back roads around Zion National Park for an adventure with the original Zion Jeep Tours.
Hike Angels Landing: For any adrenaline-junkies out there, tackling Angels Landing is a bucket list item! This climb offers beautiful views of the cliffs and a sense of accomplishment for those not afraid of heights!
E-Bike Tours: With Ride Zion you can enjoy the best way of exploring Zion- by bicycle! Whether you want to cruise leisurely or use pedal assist, this is a great way to take in the views, explore hidden gems of the park and avoid traffic.
Explore Springdale: Discover the charming town of Springdale, Utah, with cute coffee shops, a variety of restaurants and quaint businesses full of local crafts and goods.
Hike the Zion Narrows: Navigate the Virgin River with this unique hiking experience requiring water shoes, neoprene socks and a walking stick. Wade through the river in a slot canyon surrounded by towering cliffs.
Wine Tasting at Water Canyon Winery: For anyone who loves wine, this is the best place to go wine tasting in Utah. Relax and enjoy the organic, handcrafted wines with a stunning backdrop at Water Canyon Winery.
Start Planning your trip to Zion!
Here at Zion Tubing, we hope to see you in Southern Utah soon! Stop by for a fun day of tubing the Virgin River and exploring Zion Canyon. There is a reason we call Virgin, Utah, our home- Zion National Park and the surrounding area is our favorite place in the world!
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