BOURBON RIVER TUBE FIELD GUIDE
One Mile on the Meramec: The Tube Loop at Blue Springs Ranch
A family-friendly, 1-mile tube float on the Meramec River from Upper Beach to Blue Springs with shuttle service and a typical float time of about 1–1.5 hours.
One Mile on the Meramec: The Tube Loop at Blue Springs Ranch.
Set on the Meramec River near Bourbon, Missouri, the Tube Loop at Blue Springs Ranch is a short, accessible float from Upper Beach to the Blue Springs take-out. The run covers roughly one mile, is offered daily with shuttle service, and is pitched as a relaxed outing suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A compact Meramec drift
A one-mile float down the Meramec from Upper Beach to the Blue Springs take-out — short enough for a half-day outing but long enough to feel like a proper river run.
Daily departures, shuttle included
Runs are available daily with a shuttle service; put-ins run from first departures through the last put-in at 3 pm, making it easy to fit into a day trip.
Tubes only; wristbands required
This offering is tube-based only and requires wristbands for participants — a simple setup that keeps the program accessible and family-oriented.
What the day feels like
What the float feels like
The Tube Loop is a leisurely, roughly one-mile drift that typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on river flow and time of year. Guests launch at Upper Beach and float downstream to the Blue Springs take-out, with a shuttle provided to return people and vehicles to the meeting point.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this float suits — and when to exercise caution.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a tubes-only offering; wristbands are required for participants. Parents of children under 5 must bring a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket for the child and be prepared to sign a waiver.
The program runs daily with shuttle service; the last accepted put-in is at 3 pm. Average float time is about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on river flow and season.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the float?
The float covers approximately one mile and typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending on river flow and time of year.
When can I go on the Tube Loop?
Runs are available daily, with put-ins offered through the last put-in at 3 pm.
Is a shuttle provided?
Yes — shuttle service is included to return guests and vehicles.
Are tubes provided or required?
This offering is tubes only and requires wristbands for participants.
What is the policy for children under 5?
Children under the age of 5 must be approved through the office depending on river levels and heat index; parents must sign a waiver and provide a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket for the child.