Toccoa River Tubing & Lake Blue Ridge Trips
Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
The Toccoa River flows into Lake Blue Ridge (Forest Service), and the tubing outfitters work the river south of town on Aska Road and below the lake around McCaysville. Tubing is a summer activity: Blue Ridge Tubing opened May 1 in 2026, and Rolling Thunder lists a Memorial Day to Labor Day season, so in fall and winter this guide is for planning next year. Lake rentals run longer. None of the operators here are on Viator or GetYourGuide as far as we could check, so all links are plain links to their own sites.
Toccoa River tubing: side by side
| Outfitter | Price (as listed Oct 2026) | Trip | Ages / booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toccoa Tubing (McCaysville) | $14 per tube; $19 cooler tube | 1.5 miles, usually about 1.5 hours | Includes life jacket and ride to the river |
| Rolling Thunder River Co. (McCaysville) | Tubes from $14 | 1.5 miles; you float back to where you parked | Ages 5+; check in before 4 p.m. |
| Blue Ridge Tubing (Aska Rd) | $20 per person | Float, life jacket and shuttle included | Ages 4+; no reservations |
Toccoa Tubing
- Price $14 per person; cooler-carrier tube $19 (as listed Oct 2026)
- Trip 1.5 miles, usually about 1½ hours depending on water levels; life jacket and transport to the river included
- Where 340 Toccoa Avenue, McCaysville
Rolling Thunder River Co. — tubes and kayaks
- Tubes From $14 for the 1.5-mile trip (as listed Oct 2026); shuttle to the put-in, then float back to your car
- Kayaks 1.5 miles from $25; 6 miles (a half-day trip) from $55; tandem from $75 per boat (as listed Oct 2026); online reservations required for kayaks
- Timing The operator says trip time varies with dam-controlled water flow; check in for 1.5-mile trips before 4 p.m.
- Season & ages Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day weekend, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; ages 5 and up, no exceptions
Blue Ridge Tubing
- Price $20 per person, including float, life jacket and shuttle (as listed Oct 2026)
- Rules First come, first float: no reservations. Ages 4 and up
- Season Opened May 1 in 2026
- Where 8436 Aska Road, Blue Ridge
Rolling Thunder notes that water flow on its stretch is dam-controlled, which changes trip times. Check river conditions with your outfitter on the day.
Paddling the Toccoa River Canoe Trail
Upstream of the lake, the Forest Service’s Toccoa River Canoe Trail runs 13.8 miles from Deep Hole Recreation Area to where the river flows into Lake Blue Ridge. The Forest Service calls it ideal for experienced paddlers looking for a few rapids, smooth pools and scenery. Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area (about 8.5 miles south of Blue Ridge via Aska Road) has a small-boat ramp; day use is $5 per vehicle, and the site no longer takes cash or checks.
Lake Blue Ridge
Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre TVA reservoir near town, open to motorboats, jet skis and non-motorized craft (Forest Service).
Lake Blue Ridge Marina rentals
- Pontoon Half day (4 hours) $475 + tax plus a $30 fuel surcharge and booking fee; full day (8 hours) $625 + tax plus $60 (as listed Oct 2026). Holiday rates differ, full-day only on holidays
- Paddle Canoe, kayak or paddleboard: single $55 or double $75 for 2 hours (as listed Oct 2026)
- Rules Pontoon renters must be 21+ with a valid driver’s license and a major credit card for the damage deposit; life jackets provided
- Hours Open Thursday–Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday; office 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Morganton Point Recreation Area (USFS)
- What The only developed campground on the Lake Blue Ridge shoreline: designated swim beach, picnic areas, lakeside trail and boat launch
- Fees Day use $5 per person (16+); campsites $30–$50 a night depending on hookups (as listed Oct 2026). Camping reservations through Recreation.gov, not on site
- Rules No alcohol in the campground or day-use areas; dogs on leash
- Getting there From Blue Ridge, US 515 north 4 miles to GA 60, then through Morganton to Lake Drive (directions on the USFS page)
Sources
- Toccoa Tubing — Prices ($14 tube, $19 cooler tube, 1.5 miles, 340 Toccoa Ave)
- Rolling Thunder River Co. — Toccoa tubing & kayaking (tubes from $14, kayaks from $25/$55, tandem $75, check-in before 4 p.m.)
- Blue Ridge Tubing — home ($20, ages 4+, no reservations, May 1, 2026, 8436 Aska Rd)
- USFS — Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area (13.8-mile canoe trail, $5/vehicle, no cash)
- USFS — Morganton Point Recreation Area (3,290-acre TVA lake, fees, rules, directions)
- Lake Blue Ridge Marina — Rentals (pontoon and paddle prices, age, hours)