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I've been seeing alot of Groupon/Living Social deals for tubing on the Saluda River, in Easley. It's something my family would be interested in doing, but I just wanted to ask if any one has done that, and what the Saluda River is like?
-We've done tubing on Deep Creek, near Bryson City NC, and another time, in a river near Gatlinburg TN. Both were very shallow, and you spent alot of time dragging your rear-end over the rocks, and trying to get yourself unstuck. There were parts here and there that were deeper, and a few minor rapids.
-We've done tubing on the Ichetucknee River near Gainesville FL. That was a very smooth, pretty deep river. You basically floated along, like a lazy river concept. No getting stuck on the bottom, etc. Made it much more enjoyable with younger children.
What is the Saluda River like? Will it be more shallow, with rear-end rocks...or deeper, lazy river concept?
I've been seeing alot of Groupon/Living Social deals for tubing on the Saluda River, in Easley. It's something my family would be interested in doing, but I just wanted to ask if any one has done that, and what the Saluda River is like?
-We've done tubing on Deep Creek, near Bryson City NC, and another time, in a river near Gatlinburg TN. Both were very shallow, and you spent alot of time dragging your rear-end over the rocks, and trying to get yourself unstuck. There were parts here and there that were deeper, and a few minor rapids.
-We've done tubing on the Ichetucknee River near Gainesville FL. That was a very smooth, pretty deep river. You basically floated along, like a lazy river concept. No getting stuck on the bottom, etc. Made it much more enjoyable with younger children.
What is the Saluda River like? Will it be more shallow, with rear-end rocks...or deeper, lazy river concept?
I've been seeing the deals as well. I was curious how it was also. We've tubed by Chimney Rock in NC and it was fun with no problems getting stuck. I down know how the Saluda River is though.
I think the Saluda River is more of a lazy river with some falls at places. The course appears to run from below Saluda Dam to Old Easley Highway (South Carolina 124).
The Saluda is going to be pretty low and scrapey this time of year. Even when it has water it is mostly a lazy river with a few rapids. The largest rapid can be seen just upstream of the bridge on Old Easley Bridge Rd. Not the cleanest water or best scenery by any stretch.
The Lower Green river near Saluda, NC would be a better choice. If you pick a day the river gets a release of water from the hydro plant above the Lower Green, you'll have plenty of water to have fun.
Deep Creek is a natural flow creek so it gets pretty low in the summer as well. The Creek near Gatlinburg was probably the Little River which would also be low and scrapey most of the summer.
Chimney Rock area is probably the Broad River - fed by a hydro plant similar to the lower Green, so it will have water on many days.
Another option with younger kids would be to go rafting on the Tuck Gorge near Dillsboro, NC. The water is cool but not cold. The rapids are fun but not very big - a fun afternoon adventure for the family. They rent tubes, inflatable kayaks, and rafts on the Tuck Gorge.
You could also try out sliding rock near Brevard, NC - a fun but crowded place to spend an afternoon. If you know the area, there are quite a few other similar sliding rocks that are less crowded.
Carolina Knight is correct, its more of a lazy river. That being said, I am taking my 5 nieces and sister down it when they come for a visit in a couple weeks. I've done the Greene River twice last year. Once I killed my back on a huge rock I slammed in to when I didn't know better to lift up when you see a possible rock, and the second time I almost drowned when I hit a tree trunk, tube turned over and I got sucked into a hole. Can't wait to go again, but I'll take the kids on an easier one. I think my sister wants to take back the same number of kids she came with.
Carolina Knight is correct, its more of a lazy river. That being said, I am taking my 5 nieces and sister down it when they come for a visit in a couple weeks. I've done the Greene River twice last year. Once I killed my back on a huge rock I slammed in to when I didn't know better to lift up when you see a possible rock, and the second time I almost drowned when I hit a tree trunk, tube turned over and I got sucked into a hole. Can't wait to go again, but I'll take the kids on an easier one. I think my sister wants to take back the same number of kids she came with.
Do you have to watch out/lift up for rocks on the Tuck?
There are some but it is a lot more open than the Lower Green and will have a decent level of water compared with the Saluda. It is commonly used as a practice ground for beginner kayakers. Just enough current to learn how to paddle but not enough to make things difficult. For family groups with younger kids I would suggest rafting with a guide. If you have older kids, you can rent inflatable kayaks that will make things a bit more interesting.
The Lower Saluda would be a better option earlier in the spring and summer when there is still more water.
Thanks for the info, sounds like we won't bother with the Saluda this time of year. We are mainly looking for tubing, not rafting with a guide. My husband, 16 year old son, and myself actually went white water rafting in June, in Tennessee. A blast, of course, but we are wanting a more mild experience with our younger children (11 and 8), laid back, go at your own pace, kinda thing, so rafting with a guide is not what we are wanting. I'll look into the Tuck or Broad River. thxs!
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