Float the Deschutes and Become a Steward: Join Tumalo Creek’s Green Tube Program for Free!

The Deschutes River, an iconic natural landmark in Central Oregon, flows through Bend’s Old Mill District. For nine months of the year, it’s a peaceful, scenic waterway with the occasional sight of all-season paddlers as you walk, run, or bike along its adjacent Deschutes River Trail paths.

The scene dramatically shifts from around Memorial Day to Labor Day when the stretch of river between Riverbend and Drake parks transforms into a vibrant social scene! It’s common to witness a sea of leisurely moving tubes, paddleboards, kayaks, and more. It’s estimated that over 250,000 people annually partake in this Bend summer tradition.

While we all love the float, we cannot ignore that the amount of river traffic down our community’s beloved Deschutes comes with a significant environmental impact. At Tumalo Creek, our community and the environment are always top of mind. We are active, year-round stewards of the beautiful Deschutes River that flows through our community, ensuring its health and cleanliness for all who enjoy its waters. One way we manifest this commitment through our Green Tube Program, an initiative dedicated to river cleanup and education.

Float the River in Tumalo Creek’s Green Tubes

Throughout the summer, Tumalo Creek rents a large fleet of  orange river tubes from Park and Float located at 1000 SW Bradbury. These tubes provide endless fun for locals and visitors alike for families, friends, and anyone looking to float down the scenic Deschutes River.

We also have a special fleet of green river tubes alongside the iconic orange tubes. While these green tubes are identical in design to the orange ones, their purpose is unique and vital—they are used for river cleanup efforts. And, the rental cost is free!

How to Participate in the Green Tube Program

Participating in Tumalo Creek’s Green Tube Program is an excellent way for corporate and volunteer groups to bond while giving back to the environment. Contact Tumalo Creek to schedule a green tube float for your team. On the day of your outing, bring your group to the Tumalo Creek-operated Park and Float site at 1000 SW Bradbury, near the Bend Parks and Recreation Pavilion. Let our expert staff know you’ve scheduled a green tube float, and you’ll receive free green tube rentals along with mesh bags to pick up litter as you float down the river corridor. This program offers a fantastic opportunity for staff or volunteer outings, fostering teamwork and environmental stewardship.

Individuals are also welcome to participate in Tumalo Creek’s Green Tube Program. At Park and float you can request a green tube. You’ll receive a free green tube rental and a mesh bag to help clean up the river as you enjoy your float. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing solo adventure or a meaningful group activity, this program allows you to enjoy the beauty of the river while contributing to its preservation. Please note, during high volume days/times when the river is extremely crowded we reserve the right to schedule for a more impactful day.

Enjoy, Protect, Respect: Tips for Safe and Responsible River Use

We want all river users to enjoy the Deschutes safely while helping to keep it clean. Here are some tips:

☞ Enjoy the river by recreating safely:

• Footwear: Wear secure-fitting and protective footwear.
• Sun Protection: Use river-safe sunscreen and wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
• Hydration: Stay hydrated with plenty of water. Opt for reusable bottles that can be secured to your tube. We offer reusable containers and environmentally friendly canned water for sale.
• PFDs: Wearing a PFD (life jacket) is highly recommended for everyone. It is especially encouraged for non-swimmers and mandatory for children 12 and under. PFDs are available to everyone for free, even if you are not renting from us!
• Water Safety: Avoid standing in deep or swift water to prevent foot entrapment. If capsized, use the defensive swimming position: keep your nose up to see where you’re going, keep your toes up to avoid hazards, and point your feet downstream to push away from obstacles. This way, you can navigate back to your tube or shallow water.
• Tube Safety: Avoid tying tubes together to prevent entanglement and improve navigation.
• Sobriety: Refrain from using drugs or alcohol on the river; alcohol is illegal in this section and poses a danger.

☞ Protect the river by securing your belongings and keeping your trash:

• Secure Footwear: Flip flops tend to float away. Instead, wear more secure-fitting and protective shoes.
• Belongings: Secure your belongings with a drybag to prevent littering. We sell drybags, phone cases, sunglass retainers, and other products to keep your items safe.
• Containers: Keep cans and bottles secure, either by attaching them to the tube or placing them in a drybag or other suitable container.

☞ Respect the river by entering and exiting at designated points and being considerate of others:

• Habitat Protection: Avoid trampling or walking through fragile riverside habitats. The riparian zone is crucial for river health, providing a home for wildlife, keeping the river clean, and securing the banks.
• Launch and Exit Points: River Bend Park, McKay Park at the Bend Whitewater Park, and the  SE end of Drake Park near the Drake Park Buss Stop, provide the best launch and exit points for river tubes.
• Courtesy: Be considerate of others, yield to fellow river users, and stack tubes away from pathways.

Outreach and Education at Bend Park and Float

Education is a crucial component of our Stewardship efforts. We strive to reach as many river users as possible through our rental service at the Tumalo Creek operated Park and Float site, open beginning June 22nd. This location serves as the bus stop for the Ride the River shuttle, which is instrumental in managing river traffic. It allows river users to park in a less congested area, catch a ride to the put-in point, and get a ride back from the take-out point after their float.

Through Park and Float, we engage with our renters, those renting from other companies, and the general public, sharing important information about river stewardship and responsible usage. Our goal is to educate river users on how to minimize their environmental footprint and encourage them to participate in our green tube floats.

Supporting the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council

Tumalo Creek is also proud to support the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (UDWC) through annual donations. For every tube rented from Tumalo Creek, we allocate $1 to the UDWC, funding restoration and improvement projects within the river corridor where our tubes are used. This initiative has enabled us to donate over $81,000 to date (2023), significantly enhancing river health and recreational opportunities in Bend and Central Oregon.

Join Us in Protecting the Deschutes River

We invite you to be part of our efforts to maintain the beauty and health of the Deschutes River. Whether you rent an orange tube for a day of fun or a green tube for a cleanup float, you’re contributing to a cleaner, healthier river. Together, we can ensure that the Deschutes remains a cherished resource for generations to come.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Tumalo Creek. Let’s make a difference together—one float at a time!

 

Image courtesy of The Bend Bulletin.