Everything You Need To Know About Tubing Clear Creek in Golden, CO
The main attraction that draws tourists and locals to downtown Golden every summer is Clear Creek. And if you visit you’ll understand why. There’s no better way to cool off this summer than in the refreshing, crystal clear waters of Golden’s most famous creek.
Clear Creek begins in the heart of the Rocky Mountains near Loveland Pass and ends in Denver where it meets the South Platte River. Although the section that’s safe for tubers begins in Clear Creek Canyon, just outside of Golden and ends right before the Coors Factory downtown.
You can tube on your own for free if you have tubes that are sturdy enough for whitewater rapids or you can rent a tube. In this post I’ll break down everything you need to know for both renters and tube owners.
Tube Renters
Rent with Adventure West: https://adventurewestco.com/golden/
Adventure West is located in the rear of 423 10th Street (corner of East and 10th Streets) in Golden, CO along the Clear Creek Trail, very close to Vanover Park. Parking is very limited on site, so you may have to park on the street or in town and walk up.
The cost of a ticket with Adventure West, which includes a tube and two shuttle rides, is $38 per person on the weekend and $36 on weekdays if you book in advance online. It’s $2 extra for walk-ins. The price for tubes only and no shuttle is $23 on the weekend and $21 during the week. Your rental also includes a life jacket, helmet, and safety talk. You can rent water shoes for $5 extra.
After you check-in and sign a waiver, a shuttle bus will pick you up from there and will drop you off at the Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Trailhead lower parking lot with your tubes. To get to the creek, you’ll walk down two flights of stairs and walk toward the footbridge. Put in spots are marked with signs, however the tubing company does not allow you to put in further up the canyon.
The rental period lasts from the time of pick up until 6pm, when tubes must be returned. You must exit the creek at Vanover Park. From there it’s just a short walk back to Adventure West where you can hop on the shuttle again or return your rental tube if you are finished.
Tube Owners
You have so much more freedom if you have your own tubes. It’s more cost effective and you don’t have any time constraints. I purchased river tubes for $5 each from Walmart and have had them for several years.
I would recommend parking at the Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Trailhead lower parking lot - Clear Creek Canyon Rd, Golden, CO 80403. There is a smaller second parking lot further up the road right before the tunnel if this lot is full. Parking here is free and is a great alternative to paid parking downtown where it’s super chaotic. There are also restrooms at both of the lots.
After you park and inflate your tubes, walk down the stairs to the creek. If you walk up the path a little bit you’ll see a footbridge, which is where I would recommend putting in. I go into more detail below.
When you exit at Vanover Park, you can hop back in at any point and run it again. It’s about a mile walk back from where you get out to the canyon parking lot where you parked.
Lots of tubers like stopping at the Golden Mill for a refreshing drink after their float, since it’s practically where the get out is. Alternatively, if you tube on a Saturday morning you can purchase fresh food at the farmers market which is conveniently located next to the creek.
Where to Put In
There are multiple put-in spots along Clear Creek. Although I would recommend starting under the footbridge (pictured above) which is just a short walk from the lower parking lot. I liked getting in here because it’s pretty shallow, so the current doesn’t sweep you away and it’s easy to get situated. If you’re renting a tube, you are prohibited to go any further up stream. From the bridge to the get out spot at Vanover Park, where you MUST exit, is about a 30-60 minute float depending on the current and if you take breaks.
Need to Knows For Everyone
Regardless of whether you’re renting a tube or going on your own, everyone should know the following:
This float is FUN, but safety is key. Trust me you’ll have more fun if you know you’re taking the appropriate precautions that will protect yourself and others.
Clear Creek is NOT a lazy river. It’s a fast paced float with a swift moving current and few breaks between rapids. Be mindful of the flag system. Tubing is not allowed if red flags are posted. Yellow flags mean it’s safe to tube for adults, but not for children under 18.
Wear a life jacket. Like I mentioned above, the current can be strong. There are some rapid sections with significant drops and eddies that want to pull you backward into the rapid. Even if you can swim, swimming in currents can be challenging. Just be safe and wear a life jacket. Falling out of your tube is highly probable.
Wear water shoes or sandals that stay on your feet. So many people lose flip flops on this river. The bottom is pretty rock so you’ll want to wear something sturdy that will protect your feet.
Make sure valuable items are securely attached to you. If you have big enough pockets with zippers, you can store your phone and keys with you in a zip lock bag. Otherwise, you’ll need a dry bag that you can securely attach to your tube or yourself. Probably not the place to wear your favorite hat or sunglasses (I lost mine when I tipped lol).
Be mindful of others and stay alert. On the weekends, Clear Creek can get crowded. It’s hard to control your tube, but try to leave a safe distance between you and others, especially when going down rapids to prevent flipping. Always be aware of your surroundings, that includes being aware of jagged rocks that stick out and strong currents.
To check river conditions and other rules, visit the City of Golden’s website to learn more:
Thanks for reading! I hope you get the opportunity to check out one of the best places to tube in Colorado this summer!
