Is there anything better than sipping canned suds, soaking up the summer sun, and floating down The salt river in a giant rubber donut? Maybe if you hate fun, but otherwise, the answer is clearly no, there is nothing better. Tubing is hands-down one of the greatest American summer activities.

The beer-soaked bacchanals we know and love are back this summer after 2020’s little (read: world-shattering) hiatus. Rekindling friendships with people you haven’t seen in 16-ish months will be weird no matter what you do—so, what better social lubricant than a ride down the scenic Salt River with a cooler of 4% domestic bliss floating between you? 

Behold, the top tubing spots in the country for doing just that. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and be respectful of the environment:

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10 helpful Facts 

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1. The average water temperature is 68 degrees year-round.

2. Water that flows down the lower Salt River is released from the Stewart Mountain Dam at Saguaro Lake.

3. The water flows at an average of 1,000 cubic feet per second, which means it'll take you about 5 hours to float from Point 1, where tubers enter the river just below the dam, to Point 4, where tubers must exit the river. The flow varies depending on how much water agricultural entities order for delivery through the Valley's canal system. Last year, it ranged from a lazy 500 cubic feet per second to a rocking 2,200 cfs.

4. The rapids are between Points 1 and 2. If you're looking for a smooth ride, enter the river at Point 2 and float to Point 4, which will take about 3 hours.

 

SALT RIVER TUBING: Dos and don'ts

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5. There's no Point 3 stop on the river. That location is the terminal building for tube rental and shuttles.

6. It's 4½ miles from Point 1 to 4.

7. Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 23-Monday, May 26) is the busiest on the river.

 

RELATED: Salt River tubing season starts

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8. Weekdays are about 20 percent less crowded than weekends. They're also the days tubers are more likely to see wildlife along the river's edge.

9. The maximum number of tubes Salt River Tubing and Recreation has to rent at a time is 4,000, though Breault said they usually run out of parking spaces before running out of tubes.

10. Salt River Tubing and Recreation will employ more than 100 people this season. From high-school students to retirees, they tend rental stations, drive buses and patrol the river.