FAQ
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Bring a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, umbrella for shade (especially if you have small children), river shoes, snacks, rain jacket, a change of clothes, and plenty of water.
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It’s up to you! We use towable tubes with high sides and bottoms, which protect you from the chilly river water. You are not submerged, but some water enters the tube. Don’t be surprised if the hot summer sun tempts you to take a dip!
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Our tubes fit three adults comfortably, four ladies, and/or multiple youth. We also have single tubes, which we can attach, depending on the size of the group.
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It is a mellow river float with several small groups of faster moving waves. If the weather cooperates, the float takes approximately two to three hours in July. River levels are lower in August, which causes the Turtle Tubing trip to last three to three and a half hours.
We reserve the right to end the trip at the mouth of Glenwood Canyon depending on inclement weather (high winds and/or thunder storms).
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Yes! Turtle Tubing is safe for children two and up. Kids can sit inside the tube with their parents or they can be the captain of their own tubes with parents following behind. Note: Parents with small children should bring an umbrella for shade!
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We provide paddles, which are necessary to keep moving in the current and to reach the takeout point. You have to paddle more to get from the side of the river back to the current, versus paddling a little to stay in the current.
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Yes, we have a liquor license for our Turtle Bus fleet. We sell beer, shots, and mixed drinks. We ask that you save your drinks for the river float and purchase them from us when on the bus.
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Please bring SOFT coolers. We do not allow HARD coolers as they take up too much room and are too bulky.
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We provide shuttle transportation on our Turtle Bus back to your cars at the end of the float.
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We do not provide shuttle transportation unless you are paying to float with Turtle Tubing.
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When previewing the weather forecast do NOT gauge Vail, Colorado. We put in the river at Dotsero, CO which is 40 minutes from the Vail Valley and 2,000 feet lower in elevation. Please be sure to check the weather in Dotsero! All trips are a go unless it is raining at the river. Discounts due to weather will only be given AT the river.
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Yes! We have youth and adult life jackets of all sizes.
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Sunscreen, SOFT coolers, ICE, snacks, NO GLASS CONTAINERS, and any other essentials you think you may need on the river. We recommend leaving your towels/change of clothes on land as they will most likely get wet in the tubes.
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Yes, 12 and under.
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Probably! Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, river otters, and deer.
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We recommend Deep Creek Campground at mile 1 off Coffee Pot Springs Rd or Coffee Pot Springs Campground off mile 16 also on Coffee Pot Springs Rd.
Other options include Sweetwater Lake Campground and Gore Creek Campground in East Vail.
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We do not provide food but strongly recommend you bring snacks or a sack lunch. If you are organizing a large party, please contact us about how we can help organize catering.
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For adults 21 years and older, but NO GLASS!!!
What to Expect
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- Towable tubes
- These are NOT small, flimsy tire tubes. Our tubes are large, secure, and made of heavy PVC. Additionally, the tubes have covered bottoms and can safely hold three adults, four ladies, or multiple youth.
- Life vests and paddles for adults and kids
- A ride back to your car on the Turtle Bus
- An enthusiastic river chaperone
- Towable tubes
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- Turtle Tubing is safe and fun for families with children ages two and up. Adults can relax and kids are able to create their own adventure and become captains of their ships (aka tubes)! Because multiple kids can fit in each tube, and the section of the river is so calm, older children can be in their own tube with parents closeby.
- We operate seven days a week. Turtle Tubing’s daily float season typically begins late June and ends on the second Sunday in September.
- Colorado weather can be extremely unpredictable, so keep that in mind if you’re choosing an afternoon start time. Colorado storms can produce strong head winds on the river, which can add unwanted hours to the trip.
- We recommend starting at 10:30 or 11:30 a.m. because this time of day usually means calm weather and a float that is approximately two to three hours.
- If you decide to start at 12:30 p.m. or later, you will most likely experience rain and wind, which means the float could take four hours depending on the storm. Please bring a rain jacket just in case.
- The entire float is four miles from exit 133 to exit 129.
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We want you to have the most memorable and enjoyable experience on the river! That being said, we also want you to be SAFE. In order to do this we ask that you abide by the following river policies:
- The BLM does not allow glass or cans on the river, pack accordingly.
- NO hard or styrofoam coolers
- No coolers that take 2 hands to carry
- NO drinking your own alcohol on the Turtle Bus. We have a liquor license on the bus and a variety of drinks available for purchase.
- NO tying tubes together using rope! This damages the tubes and makes the river take-out process significantly longer.
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- Groups of 9 or less must confirm and guarantee head count 24 hours prior to trip
- Groups of 10 or more must confirm and guarantee head count 7 days prior to trip
- Groups of 10 or more are responsible for 50% cost of the agreed number seven days prior to trip
- No-call/no-show will be charged a full price per person
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- Turtle float trips will be as scheduled unless rain or lightning is present at river put-in
- Please check Dotsero weather forecast for the best accuracy
- We float until about the first week of September, depending on weather