How to Tube the Brandywine

Tubing is a recreational activity for persons of all ages which uses an inner tube or similar floating device that requires each person to float along a river on an inflated tube along a river. In Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Brandywine River can be traveled on by tube as the river is classified a class 1 stream. The Brandywine between these two U.S. states is gentle and meandering, allowing recreational parties to gently float down the river to observe nature on the banks of the Brandywine. Activities such as canoeing, kayaking and float tubing are popular activities on the Brandywine.

Things You'll Need

  • Inner Tube
  • Transportation
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Instructions

  1. Tubing

    • 1

      To begin a day of tubing on the Brandywine each person taking part in the float must purchase or rent an inner tube to float on down the Brandywine. Sporting goods stores sell inner tubes and local activity centers and service station sell and rent inner tubes for floating trips. Inner tubes must be inflated to float.

    • 2

      An access point that allows people to enter the river safely must be found. As the Brandywine enters northern Delaware, an access point at Smith’s Bridge Road in Wilmington is available.

    • 3

      Each person must enter the river and board their float to begin the tubing trip. The slow current of the Brandywine pushes each float along the river at a slow pace during the summer months allowing a slow ride along the river.

    • 4

      Once the tubing trip has reached its desired location another access point allowing a safe exit point from the river must be found. As the Brandywine enters the Delaware State Park at Thompson Bridge an access point can be used to exit the river. Thompson Bridge is approximately two hours' float from Smith’s Bridge Road.

    • 5

      After exiting the Brandywine the tubing participants must return to their entry point to find their vehicles for transportation from the river. A vehicle can be left at the exit point of the river or local sporting and canoe stores can provide transportation back to the participants' transportation for a fee.