Shooting the Hooch in Helen
Float the Chattahoochee through downtown Helen, with outfitter prices, season dates and what to bring
The short answer
The two outfitters
Both handle tubes, shuttles and waivers. Pick by price, parking and how long you want to be on the water.
| Outfitter | Price | Float | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool River Tubing | $14 Mon-Fri; $16 Sat-Sun and holidays (2026), shuttle included | Short: 1 to 1.5 hours. Long: 2 to 2.5 hours. Same price. | Chattahoochee Outpost, 590 Edelweiss Strasse (706-878-2665); Headwaters Outpost, 112 Poplar Stump Rd (706-878-9471); Main Street ticket booth | Ages 2 and up. Tubes have bottoms and headrests. Free life jackets (required for kids 12 and under). Dogs are welcome. Online tickets recommended. |
| Helen Tubing | Check their site; a back-to-school special was $10 Mon-Fri late in the season | Not listed on their site | North Office, 9917 Hwy 75 N (706-878-7465); South Office, 685 Brucken Strasse | Tickets sold through their online system; waivers are required. Group rates for 20 or more. |
Prices change by season, so confirm on the operator's site. Where you park matters on busy days; see the parking guide.
When to go
Cool River says its official season starts Memorial Day weekend and runs seven days a week through Labor Day weekend. It also opens select weekends in April, May and September, depending on weather, and asks you to call ahead for off-season dates. On the day this page was checked (October 8), the site listed Thursday and Friday, October 8 and 9, as open and warned that the water was low and push sticks were strongly recommended.
Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Low water in late summer and fall can mean more bottom-scraping and a slower float, which is when a push stick earns its price. Both outfitters handle the logistics, but conditions drive the schedule, so check before you drive.
What the float is like
You check in, sign a waiver, get your tube, and ride a shuttle to the put-in. From there the current does the work. You drift through downtown Helen past the Bavarian storefronts, then out into quieter, wooded stretches of the Chattahoochee. The river is cold even in July, and it's shallow enough in places that you'll touch bottom, so wear shoes with backs.
Cool River's shuttle brings you back to your car. Helen Tubing's North Office has parking, and a shuttle returns you there. Details of the river itself are in the Chattahoochee River guide.
What to bring
Shoes with backs
Cool River "highly recommends" them. Water shoes or sandals with a heel strap protect your feet on the rocks.
A push stick
Allowed at Cool River and strongly recommended when the water is low. You can rent one in their shop or bring your own.
Your own drink, no cooler
Cool River doesn't allow coolers. Each person may bring one 32-ounce plastic drink container, no alcohol.
Waterproof phone case
Cool River suggests a waterproof case for cameras and phones. Leave the car keys somewhere secure.
A life vest if you like
Outfitters provide life jackets. Personal Coast Guard-approved vests are allowed at Cool River.
Dry clothes and a towel
Leave them in the car for the ride home.
Know before you float
The small print is where a float goes right or wrong. Per the Cool River FAQ, tubers must be 2 or older, and there is no hard weight limit, but the recommended limit is 250 to 280 pounds. Restrooms, changing rooms and showers are open to paying customers. Fill out the waiver online ahead of time for a faster check-in, and on busy days use the outdoor gazebo at the Chattahoochee Outpost while you wait.
Low water changes the work, not the price. When the river drops you may be pushing, walking or getting out to move your tube if it hangs up, so go with people who are fine with that.
Quick questions
Is Helen tubing open in October?
The daily season is over. Cool River runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and may open on warm weekends in the off season, weather and staff permitting. Check its online booking calendar and call ahead.
How much does tubing in Helen cost?
Cool River's 2026 prices are $14 Monday to Friday and $16 on weekends and holidays, shuttle included. Helen Tubing's site advertised $10 per person Monday to Friday late in the season; check its ticket page for current prices.
What's the minimum age to tube?
Cool River says tubers must be 2 or older. Life jackets are free with a tubing ticket and are required for children 12 and under.
Can I bring a cooler or my dog?
Cool River doesn't allow coolers; each person may bring one 32-ounce plastic drink container, no alcohol. Dogs are welcome, but the outfitter doesn't provide life jackets for them.
How long is the float?
Cool River lists a short float of 1 to 1.5 hours and a long float of 2 to 2.5 hours for the same price.
Where do I park?
Cool River's shuttle brings you back to your car. Helen Tubing's North Office at 9917 Hwy 75 N has parking, with a shuttle back. Downtown lot details are in our parking guide.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
