Stunning canyon walls and desert hills rise around the Yakima River, where Yakima River Tubing shuttles floaters upriver for a half-day, nine-mile float. The chill, shallow river offers ample bird sightings—cliff swallows make their mud homes on the basalt cliffs, and herons frequent the riverbank. A few tiny bumps bring a taste of adventure, and small rocky beaches provide spots to crack open a dedicated cooler tube. Four bare bones campgrounds line the route to easily extend the float into a weekend-long visit.

Downstream from the quintessential Snoqualmie Falls, Fall City Floating carts floaters to a calmer four-mile section of the Snoqualmie River. Rent one of the octagonal blue tubes—or load your own on the shuttle—for a three to five hour journey toward historic Fall City. The route winds past the Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course, around sprawling beaches, and under the watchful eye of nearby North Bend peaks. Expect crowded waterways and a party atmosphere on peak weekends.

The Leavenworth Outdoor Center equips floaters for a two-mile stretch of the Wenatchee River ripe with islands and beaches just waiting to host a picnic. For chillier early-season floats, snag rental wetsuits and booties, or opt for a tandem tube to ride the gentle lazy river in a party of two at any point in the summer season. Cascade peaks, the Leavenworth Golf Course, and downtown’s Bavarian sights form the backdrop for the river’s mellow flow.

The Spokane River winds through downtown, and FLOW Adventures shuttles floaters to a five-mile section teeming with wildlife. Moose, mink, redband trout, and bald eagle sightings are common, but refreshingly cold water and beautiful willow trees are guaranteed. Navigate small rapids, cruise around islands, and bob under a handful of bridges.

Floating the Skykomish River from Sultan to Monroe boasts a roughly 10-mile adventure but lacks a rental or shuttle service. The DIY float riddled with rapids, boulders, and riffles feels extra remote thanks to nearby Mount Index and Baring rising some 6,000 feet above the river. Floaters should pack life jackets and research well, scoping out water levels and hazards—or ditch the tubes altogether for a scenic guided rafting adventure from Alpine Adventures.

A short, roughly one-mile float follows the Methow River’s clear waters through the Western-themed town, under the iconic suspension bridge, and past far-off peaks. Methow Rafting offers a complimentary second lap if you finish the route in under 30 minutes; Methow Cycle and Sport rents tubes by the day for longer, bespoke routes along the Class I river.