Disclaimer: The accuracy of the CFS data provided cannot always be guaranteed. Please verify conditions before heading out.

Boulder Creek: Lower Broadway (Medium - Easy)

Safe: <200 CFS

Moderate: 200-300 CFS

High: 300-700 CFS

Dangerous: >700 CFS

Access

Easy. A bike path parallels the creek the entire way. You can get in and out anywhere along that path. There are numerous cross streets where you can find parking. You can start as high as Eben G. Fine park and float to the east side of town at 55th street. Use caution anytime you are on the creek. Conditions change daily. Don’t tube upstream of Eben G. Fine whitewater park. Steep, rocky, class V rapids exist. That is where people most commonly get hurt.

Flow Range

40cfs to 100cfs is a good mellow to moderate level for tubing in the Eben G. Fine whitewater park. 100-200cfs is a great level for tubing from Eben G. Fine all the way through town. 200-300cfs is great for floating from 6th street down to 30th or from 55th to 75th. The Whitewater Park gets pretty stompy, and getting flipped off the tube is almost guaranteed, unless you are a professional tuber like Rolf Kelly or Sean Lee. 300-700cfs: Whoa! Tubing is great from Boulder High School down to 30th. You better be a good swimmer and wearing a lifejacket in this flow range.

Water Temperature

During May and June the water is typically pretty cold. When the water is over 300 cfs, it’s usually in peak snow melt time. That means, you guessed it, cold water. The water usually starts warming up when the snowmelt is winding down.

When is it running?

Usually floatable from April through August. Weather and snow pack are different every year, so there is no guarantee. You don’t need much water to float in Eben G. Fine whitewater park. The whitewater park has man made features that help channelize and pool up the water, making it fun even at very low water.

Difficulty

<200cfs = easy ; >200cfs = intermediate/advanced ; >300cfs = advanced

Kids

Over 13 and good swimmers are okay. Younger kids are okay at lower water levels. Good swimming ability and lifejackets and helmets are a must.

Transportation

We don’t offer a shuttle service (yet). Most customers transport the inflated tubes themselves using twine we provide to strap the tubes to their cars. During the tubing season, parking is usually available at Boulder High School, which is adjacent to the creek.

Closures

When the creek surpasses 700cfs, the Sheriff’s department closes the creek to tubers. Please obey these closures. They are made for a good reason. If Boulder Creek is closed, the Saint Vrain in Lyons may be a great alternative.

How do I get Back?

After your float, just follow the well-maintained footpaths running alongside Boulder Creek back upstream. It’s a short, scenic stroll—no shuttle needed—and you can repeat the run as often as you like!

How long does the float take?

The prime Boulder Creek stretch usually takes about 30–45 minutes on the water, plus a quick 10-minute walk back upstream—perfect for doing multiple laps. If you’re up for the full run to Scott Carpenter Park, plan on 1½–2 hours, with smooth footpaths all the way.

Is this a lazy-river float?

Nope—this is whitewater tubing. While some stretches are calm, you’ll encounter fun rapids and a bit of adventure rather than the gentle drift of a traditional lazy river.