07/09/2026
Tubing the Caddo River in Arkansas is one of the most memorable summer experiences in the state…and with Caddo River Rats Kayak & Tube Rental in Caddo Valley, it’s an easy day to plan. This local outfitter takes folks to the Lower Lake boat ramp below DeGray Lake Dam, where you start a peaceful float on a pretty stretch of the river near Arkadelphia.
The route runs about 3 miles and usually takes close to 3 hours, but plenty of people stretch it out by pulling over on gravel bars to swim, snack, or just sit in the sun. The water is cool, clear, and gentle, making it a good pick for families, first-timers, and groups who want a laid-back float without rough whitewater.
The Caddo River is a spring-fed Ouachita Mountain stream named for the Caddo people, and this lower section gives you a calm look at one of southwest Arkansas’s best river spots. Upstream, the river begins in the Ouachita Mountains and eventually feeds into DeGray Lake, which is home to Arkansas’s only resort state park. Along the float, you’ll pass wooded banks, rocky edges, shallow places to stop, and quiet swimming holes that make the trip feel relaxed from start to finish.
Caddo River Rats rents tubes, kayaks, canoes, and cooler tubes, with shuttle service included so you can float back down and finish near where your vehicle is parked. Their setup also includes restrooms, a shaded picnic area, and a dock with stairs that makes getting out of the river much easier. Since water conditions depend on dam releases, it’s smart to check their page before heading out, especially during the hotter summer months.
