Ask the Midwest

We just called it tubing in Wisconsin.

I’ve done tubing day-trips in WI and MN. There are a few really popular spots near the border of both states.

Drinking is a must. The rental/shuttle services count your beers ahead of time, count your empties upon return, and issue a small fee for each missing can.

I've always understood a float trip to be a large group of people going down rivers in rafts or canoes while consuming large amounts of alcohol. I haven't been on one since 2010 and honestly it's not my thing.

I know what you're referring to, but we don't call it a "float trip" here (Iowa). There's no specific term for it. You just ask if you want to go tubing down the river and camp for the weekend. The drinking is implied of course.

In IA. I've heard it called tubing, I've also heard it not called a name, just "take some tubes".

I've never heard float trip, but we do it.

The rivers in western Washington tend to be cold and fast, full of rocks and rapids. As they widen and slow closer to the ocean they start winding through cities or industrial parks. Nobody's taking a casual float out there.

We called it cabrewing here in Ohio.

People do it in Michigan, but I can't remember what it's called. I avoid water like the plague.

My friends call it cabrewing. The mode of floating is pretty flexible. We’ve had tubes, canoes, kayaks, and large rafts on our trips

We called it tubing or canoeing. Find a slow river and some alcohol drop in and just float. Be sure to have someone downstream to pick you up. Also, don't even try to swim in the Ohio River. I was young drunk and stupid.

Edit: Forgot to mention this is Southern Indiana.

Common in central Illinois. Good times.

Does Seattle have rivers you could easily float down? You gotta have lots of flat land to get a nice calm river.

Anyway, it's a thing in Illinois, I know that.

Fairly standard rural activity in parts of Iowa, though with our water quality it isn't exactly wise.

I knew what you were talking about, and I'm from the city. It's not suuuper popular but people do it. I'm in eastern PA. I did one when I was a kid.

I live near the river now, and there's trips organized and people probably float down on their own. I just go for a swim. Too much sun, otherwise.

I did one in Indiana with college friends. It was a ton of fun, but you have to be mindful of both the river level and your BAC.

"Float trip" could be canoes or tubes. "Tubing" just inner tubes.

I've done sorta this in OhIo, but never with anyone who wants the ruckus part 😭 It's been fun nonetheless

From Michigan, have never heard anyone use this term before. I'm not even sure I've heard of someone doing this. Normally folks just go out on their boats.

Northwest Indiana, never heard of it. Sounds amazing though!

I live in Indiana and used to live on a river in between two lakes. We would drive down and leave a car at the end of the river, then drive back up to the top and float down all day.

Grew up and still live in Eastern Oklahoma. We definitely call it a float trip around. Illinois River is the popular one for it with canoe and raft rental places all along it. I don't really drink alcohol so I'm mainly there to swim and maybe try to tip over my friend's canoes. Don't take anything with you on the river you don't mind losing.

It’s a thing in Texas. But only in the hill country (near Austin) that I’m aware of. I’m guessing it’s just dependent on locations that support a natural “lazy river” which isn’t everywhere. It’s has to be long and calm enough.

I do and I love them. Last year there was one organized on the North branch of the Chicago river. Didn't go, but I may consider it this year. My favorite spot though is near Iron Mountain, MI on the Pine river. There is a natural oxbow and put in and take out are about 4 blocks from each other. And it's about a 3-4 float of all completely undeveloped nature. Lazy river! Going next week!

Tubing the kish(waukee river) is what we called it. We once strapped a keg in inner tubed and floated with a tap. I got so drunk I lost the only hat I've ever loved...

I've never been on one, but I can say that in KCMO, STL, and Rolla they're pretty well known. I've worked at companies which have sponsored float trips before.