Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!

NACK landscape Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via North Alabama Canoe and Kayak on Facebook

Whether you’re looking for a canoe adventure or a relaxing float on an inner tube, cooling off at the river is some of the most fun you can have during a Birmingham summer. We’ve got five places to check out within two hours of downtown. Keep reading to find your next weekend expedition!

Let’s Float, Alabama

It’s no secret that Alabama is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the nation. The weather is heating up here in Birmingham, and you may not be too keen on the idea of a weekend hiking trip. Never fear! You can still enjoy a journey through our stunning forests while staying cool. Rent a canoe, kayak, or inner tube, grab your cooler and get to floatin’!

1. Limestone Canoe and Tube

Limestone Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via Limestone Canoe and Tube on Facebook
  • Address: 1531 Limestone Pkwy. Brierfield AL, 35035
  • Hours: Mon.-Sun. | 9AM-4PM
  • Prices: $10 per person | $5 cooler tube

2. Terrapin Outdoor Center

Terrapin Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via Terrapin Outdoor Center on Facebook
  • Address: 4114 County Road 175 Piedmont, Alabama 36272
  • Hours: Tue-Wed. 9AM-5PM | Th.-Sun. 8AM-5PM
  • Prices: $30 solo kayak | $50 tandem canoe

3. Talledega Creekside Resort

Dega Creekside Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via Talledega Creekside Resort on Facebook
  • Address: 760 Lake Whitland Dr. Talladega, Alabama 35160
  • Hours: Thurs-Mon | 9AM-3PM
  • Prices: $25 kayaks | $15 tubes | $10 cooler tubes

4. Canoe the Cahaba

Hunter Nichols Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo by Hunter Nichols, via Canoe the Cahaba on Facebook
  • Address: 2370 Highway 52 Helena, Alabama 35080
  • Hours: By appointment – call for a reservation
  • Prices: $50/canoe or $35/kayak for 5-mile trip | $65/canoe or $45/kayak for 10-mile trip | guided trips available

5. North Alabama Canoe and Kayak

NACK sunset Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
North Alabama Canoe and Kayak (NACK) offers twilight floats on Tuesday evenings. Photo via NACK on Facebook.
  • Address: 1143 Moontown Rd. Brownsboro, Alabama 35741
  • Hours: Mon-Fri call for reservations | Sat. 8AM | Sun. 10AM
  • Prices: $45 single kayaks | $35.00/person canoes, canoe-kayak hybrids, tandem kayaks | $25 kids kayaks

6. Coosa River Adventures

Coosa Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via Coosa River Adventures on Facebook
  • Address: 415 Company St. Wetumpka, Alabama
  • Hours: Daily 8AM-5PM | call for reservations
  • Prices: $29/one-person kayak | $55/two-person kayak | $39/paddleboard | $59/canoe

7. Coosa Outdoor Center

Screen Shot 2019 07 10 at 3.00.19 PM Looking to beat the Birmingham heat? Here are 7 ways to cool off at the river this summer—tubing, kayaking and more!
Photo via Coosa Outdoor Center on Facebook
  • Address: 172 River Rd. Wetumpka, AL 36902
  • Hours: Wed.-Sun. | 9AM-6PM
  • Prices: (prepaid) $25 small | $30 medium | $40 large +fishing | $50 double + canoe

Find all of these awesome places within 2 hours or less of downtown Birmingham!

Floating Not Your Thing?

Float trips certainly aren’t the only way to cool off in the summer, though! If you’re looking for another option, Bham Now is here to help!

Tag us on social @BhamNow with all your summer adventures!

Beth Cunningham
Beth Cunningham

A Birmingham transplant who can usually be found hitting a new hiking trail or restaurant opening when she's not writing stories and snapping photos for Bham Now.

Articles: 349