River Tubing

Seven Oaks is the place to canoe, kayak and river tube in Iowa!

Seven Oaks invites you to experience the beauty of the scenic Des Moines river valley. On a quiet afternoon you will see animals on the river banks, birds flying overhead, wild flowers growing in the wooded bluffs and a bald eagles nest just past the Kate Shelly High Bridge.

Seven Oaks
River Tube Des Moines River

The first stretch of 7 miles is great for river tubing! Passing under the staggering 185 ft. tall Kate Shelley High Bridge, the river is rich with scenery and great sandbars to park along. The tube float is normally 3-5 hours of on the water fun!

Approximate times and distance
3 to 5 hour float covering 7 miles

Enjoy a scenic river tube float that will take you under the longest and highest double-track railway bridge in the world with trains passing 185 feet overhead approx. every 15 minutes.

River float times are subject to river flow, wind and paddling time. Seven Oaks reserves the right to alter trips based on boat ramp conditions, water levels and wind conditions.

River Tube Hours

Complimentary transportation departs from Seven Oaks for the River Tube Trip at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm (2pm float only available when river has adequate flow, so please call ahead to check river flow). You must arrive at Seven Oaks a minimum of 30 minutes before departure times. First pick-up is 12:00pm.

Trip departures before or after these hours must be pre-arranged with Seven Oaks.

When river tubing from May through August, everyone must be off the river by 6 pm. When river tubing during September and October, everyone must be off the river by 5 pm.

A late fee of $5 per person per quarter hour is charged after the designated “off the river” time.

River Tube Rates

(add 7% sales tax to all rates)
Prices subject to change.

Floating Conditions

Floating rates include transporting watercraft, one personal floatation device per person and complimentary transportation.

Full Service Tube Float

$25/per person
Tube for your cooler, only $6 + tax. Bring your 48 qt cooler or smaller and we will fit a tube around it.

Groups of 20 or More River Tubes

$22/tube per group member
Advance reservation required for group rates. Group leader is responsible for lump sum payment.

River Tubing Season

May Through October
Floats outside these season dates are subject to weather and at the discretion of Seven Oaks.

River Tubing Reservations

To ensure that river tubes are available, and to help us provide the service you expect, we encourage and recommend reservations be made as far in advance as possible. A credit card is required when making reservations.

If plans need to be cancelled or numbers reduced, you must notify Seven Oaks a minimum of 7 days before the date of the planned float. Any changes within the 7 days will be charged in full and a “Credit Certificate” will be issued.

Floating on Sunday through Friday will typically offer more solitude and be a quieter, relaxing float experience. Saturdays are generally busier with groups and more of a party atmosphere. Taking the 9:30 am float will help avoid some of that.

Call 515-432-9457 or make your canoe, kayak, or river tube reservation online.

Retail Items

Drinks, ice, candy bars, t-shirts, can koozies, wet dry bags & other “oh, I forgot” items are available on site.

River Tubing Terms of Service

River Tubes will not be rented to persons 15 years of age and younger without adult supervision. Persons aged 16 and 17 must have a parent/guardian indemnification signature on the rental agreement. All participants must sign a rental/indemnification agreement. You may print the agreement to obtain required signatures prior to arrival.

If you plan to drink alcohol on the river . . . please drink responsibly.

Seven Oaks Recreation
River Tubing Policies

In the event of heavy rains or high water as determined by Seven Oaks, rain checks will be issued.

We charge for all lost or damaged equipment. Damaged equipment caused by abuse or carelessness is your responsibility; we do expect normal wear and tear.

A retrieval fee of $25.00 will be charged for river tubes abandoned or lodged.

A late fee of $5.00 per person per quarter hour is charged after the designated “off the river” time.

No glass containers or Styrofoam coolers on float trips.

Seven Oaks does not recommend tying together canoes, kayaks or river tubes. For safety reasons, Seven Oaks will not supply ropes/twine.

Seven Oaks Recreation
Water Trail Rules

Respect Property and Others
Do not tamper with private or public property. Respect staff doing their jobs and others enjoying the water trail with you, whether in your group or not.

Be Safe
River users are required to have a Personal Flotation Device in the boat. Actually wearing it greatly increases your chance of survival if you capsize. River levels change and conditions change constantly. Avoid hazards such as snags and ALWAYS portage at low-head dams.

Limit Alcohol Consumption
Intoxication on waterways leads to poor judgment and increased risk of drowning. This river is public property and subject to the governing laws. . If you plan to drink alcohol on the river . . . please drink responsibly.

No Littering or Dumping
No glass containers on float trips. Please protect and preserve the beauty of the Des Moines River by keeping it clean, do not litter. Leave NO trace. Volunteers work to keep this river clean.

Dragoon River Romp

The most recent Dragoon River Romp was September 21, 2012. See our Dragoon River Romp page for more information.