Tubing the Russian River: How to plan a float trip

By Regional Parks staff

Floating down the Russian River is one of Sonoma County's most popular summer activities — for both visitors and locals. But a tubing adventure can go flat in no time if you don't plan ahead. Here are our do's and don'ts for a successful float trip.

Travel the best route

The only Russian River tubing route we really recommend is the 2-mile stretch from Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach in Forestville. Other float routes pose issues, which we’ll address later in this post.

A summertime float from Steelhead to Sunset Beach will take about 4.5 hours, so plan accordingly. The Russian River moves slowly during the summer, which is part of its relaxing charm, but it also means you'll want to give yourself plenty of time.

We only recommend tubing on the Russian River in the summer months, between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when river flows are at their lowest, water temperatures at their most comfortable and our water safety measures are in place, including our roving River Patrol and free life jacket loaner stations.

Getting there and parking

You don't want to finish a nice, long float and have to walk back to your car along the narrow shoulder of River Road, with traffic speeding past. One option is to park one car at Sunset Beach, then drive the other to Steelhead Beach and park there to start your trip.

The easier option is to park for free at El Molino High School in Forestville and ride the Regional Parks River Shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes out to Steelhead and Sunset beaches on summer weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All-day tickets are $5 and youth 18 and under ride free.

If you plan to park your own cars, keep in mind that parking lots at both river parks fill early during the summer and are temporarily closed once they reach capacity. (Parking is $12 per vehicle during the peak summer season or free for Regional Parks members.) If you plan to arrive at Steelhead or Sunset after 10 a.m. on a summer weekend, the shuttle is your best option. Charter bus access, including drop offs and pick ups, is not allowed in the river parks on weekends and holidays during the summer.

Start early

It takes about five minutes to drive from Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach but four and a half hours to float that distance. Plan to be at Steelhead by 10 a.m. and on the water by 11 a.m. at the latest. Plan to arrive even earlier if it's a weekend, holiday, or the temperature will be over 90 degrees.

We cannot stress enough just how slow the Russian River flows in the summer. On average, it moves at about a half-mile per hour, which means you can travel faster walking on shore then you can floating on water. When winds pick up in the early evening, the current can push you upstream. So get an early start.

What to bring 

The Steelhead-to-Sunset float is along a scenic stretch of river that can sometimes feel surprisingly remote once you’re on the water, so a little preparation goes a long way. Planning ahead and bringing the right gear helps keep your float comfortable, safe and stress-free.

Cell service can be spotty along the river, so download directions, purchase shuttle tickets and save maps before you arrive. Also, calling 911 is not always possible, so be extremely cautious around the water and wear a life jacket.

We want to emphasize that pool floats aren’t designed for river use and can puncture easily on rocks or submerged debris. Bring a durable, river-rated tube instead, or rent one for the day from Russian River Tubes and pick it up at Steelhead Beach. Tube rentals can be booked in advance online at Russian River Tubes.

Rent an inner tube

If you’re bringing your own tube, you'll need to bring a hand- or car-powered air pump, too. A seasonal inflation station is also available at Steelhead Beach.

You'll also want to bring a cooler with food and drinks, plus a garbage bag to pack out all your trash. Trash cans are few and far between along the river and leaving any trash behind (including your tubes and floats) harms wildlife and the river ecosystem.

Also, don’t forget your sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and secure water shoes. Flip-flops won’t stay on in the river, trust us.

Finally, a dry bag is highly recommended. There’s no place to store valuables on the shuttle or at the parks, so plan to keep your keys, phone, wallet and ID with you while floating. Store them in a secure dry bag attached to your tube or your life jacket.

Give yourself prep time

Tubing days always take a little longer to get started than you think. Once you arrive at Steelhead Beach, you'll need time to inflate your tubes, load coolers, apply sunscreen, use the restroom, double-check that you have your car keys, take the pre-float group selfie, etc. Anticipate at least an hour to get things in order.

Wear a life jacket

Lifeguards are not on duty at Steelhead Beach or Sunset Beach. Children younger than 12 are required to wear a life jacket, and life jackets are recommended for everyone on the water. River conditions change seasonally, and there can be unseen hazards beneath the surface, including sudden drop-offs, changing currents, snags, and boulders. Don't have a life jacket? Free life jackets are available daily during the summer at Steelhead and Sunset beaches. Just borrow one from a life jacket stand and return it before you leave.

Stay hydrated and know the alcohol rules

Bring lots of water. Drink lots of water. Even a few hours in midday sun can lead to dehydration and heatstroke. Alcohol is dehydrating, so drink even more water if alcohol is consumed. To help reduce impacts of partying on nearby neighborhoods and river communities, alcohol consumption and possession of open containers is prohibited at Steelhead Beach, Sunset Beach and Forestville River Access from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Mind your manners

The Russian River gets busy in the summer with people tubing, paddling, swimming, fishing and relaxing along the shore, especially on summer holidays and weekends, so don’t expect to find solitude when visiting at these times. Please help keep the experience enjoyable for everyone by respecting private property, keeping noise at a reasonable level and packing out your trash. Your fellow river users, the neighbors and river communities, will appreciate it.

Restrooms are available at Sunset Beach, Forestville River Access and Steelhead Beach. Use them. This helps keep the river clean and healthy for people, fish and wildlife.

Take your float home 

Please don't abandon your raft or tube on the beach when your trip is over. All abandoned floats have to be thrown away at the end of the day. Follow "Leave No Trace" guidelines and pack out all of your trash, including your raft or tube. 

Stick with this route

We don't recommend floating from Steelhead Beach to Forestville River Access (informally known as Mom's Beach) because the tiny parking lot at Forestville fills almost immediately on summer weekends, making a two-car shuttle difficult. Due to lot size, the river shuttle does not service Forestville River Access.

And don't attempt to start a float at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach because there is nowhere to pull out until you reach Riverfront Regional Park, which will take you six and a half hours.

Any trip over five hours is too long to be on the river. After five hours, you will want a break from your tube. Hunger, thirst, sunburn and the call of nature will have you ready to exit the river after five hours.

Similar issues arise along other routes, including having to walk parts of the journey or hitting areas where the flow is so slow you'll have to walk with your tube or paddle with your hands.  

Have a good time

Tubing on the Russian River can be a fun, memorable experience if you plan ahead. Stick to this advice, and you are well on your way to a great float experience in Sonoma County.

This post was updated June 2026.