When it comes to cheap summer fun, you really can't beat floating a river. Sitting in a big rubber tube meandering down a channel whilst having the cold beverage of your choice may not sound super exiting, but it could be the best way to waste away an outdoor weekend on the cheap. The only question is, where can you do it?

Naturally, most people in Oklahoma automatically default to the Illinois River Float near Tahlequah. It's practically famous for the 100% full service you get when you float that stretch of river. Take-off from one point, someone is always there to bring you back, nothing but good times in between. It's naturally thought of as the best, but that's not the only place to float in Oklahoma. Here's a quick list of closer options.

Probably the closest place to float a river, according to Google, is River Bottom Camp Ground and Tubing over in Davis. Everybody that has left reviews of the floating there has nothing but good things to say. A nice leisurely float down a meandering river, doesn't take any effort at all. That being said, the negative type reviews tend to mention a rather high cost of camping. Normal tent camping sites around the state average about $15 per camp site for one night, the reviews suggest it's $10 per night/per person. If you have an average family, the cost could get up there. But if you're just driving over to float and come home for the night, it seems right in line with what everybody else charges.

Red River Float Trips is another reasonably close float trip, it's just outward bound from Lake Texoma. While they don't offer tubes on their website, they do offer three other fun methods of hitting your float goals. Kayaks are $40/day, canoes are $80/day, and paddle boats are available also to let you float with your besties beside you.

Riversport Rapids in OKC offers not only world class white water rapids and an Olympic training course, they also have a fun float everyday open to almost any age. Of course, with corporate anything comes restrictions. Mandatory protective gear and it's technically floating the same area a few times like a water park lazy river, but it's all built in and taken care of for you. A float trip in a box if you will. For some, that is ideal.

If you really want to experience the famous Oklahoma float trip, you might have to make the drive to Tahlequah and float the Illinois River. Tubes are offered up for rent along side big inflatable boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, stand up paddle boards, etc... If there's a way to float, you can rent it there. The waters are pristine down this 145 stretch of river, and I've known a bunch of guys that float, fish, and wild camp their way down it every year. As the rains dry up and the water levels steady, it might be prime time for you to find your float destination and experience a little outdoor Oklahoma.

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