Frequently
Asked
Questions

Safety, Age & River conditions

  • Yes. Tommy B’s is a family-friendly tubing experience for guests ages 5 and older. Families, friends, and groups are welcome, and all guests are expected to be respectful of others on the river.

  • The minimum age to float with Tommy B’s is 5 years old. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult throughout the trip.

  • Yes. Life jackets are provided. Children under age 12 are required to wear a life jacket, and life jackets are strongly recommended for anyone who wants extra support on the water.

  • Our Commercial tubes have a maximum Manufacturer structural capacity of 250 lbs. For your saftey over shallow river rocks and to comply with our insurance policy with our insurance policy, we are unable to launch any individual rider exceeding 250 lbs. Thank you for helping us keep the river safe.

  • The Rum River is generally a shallow, gentle river, but depth and current can vary with rainfall, water levels, and weather. Guests should always stay aware of changing river conditions.

  • Floats may continue during light rain, but trips may be delayed, rescheduled, or canceled if weather or river conditions become unsafe. Trips will not launch during lightning or severe weather.

  • Yes. The Rum River is a natural, scenic waterway, and conditions can change. Guests should stay alert for shallow areas, rocks, branches, fallen trees, and other natural obstacles.

Rules, Policies & River Stewardship

  • Yes. All guests must complete a waiver before floating. The Rum River is a natural waterway, and guests are responsible for understanding the risks before participating.

  • Tommy B’s does not sell, provide, or encourage alcohol on the river. Guests are responsible for following all laws, drinking responsibly if they choose to bring alcohol, and making sure their behavior does not create unsafe conditions or negatively affect other guests.

  • No. To help protect the Rum River, disposable containers are not allowed on Tommy B’s floats. Please pack drinks and snacks in reusable bottles, insulated cups, reusable jugs, or snap-top food containers, and pack out everything you bring in.

  • No. Glass and Styrofoam are not allowed at the river access or on Tommy B’s floats. This helps protect guests, wildlife, and the Rum River.

  • Guests are responsible for lost, stolen, unreturned, or damaged-beyond-repair equipment. Standard river tubes are valued at $65 each. Normal wear and tear does not apply.

    Please treat all tubes, cooler tubes, life jackets, and shuttle equipment with care.

  • Pets are not allowed on scheduled tubing trips. Service animals are not pets and will be handled according to applicable ADA requirements. Service animals must remain under the handler’s control at all times, and handlers are responsible for any damage caused by the animal. Because this is a natural river float with moving water, shuttle loading, tubes, shallow and deep areas, obstacles, and only one exit point, guests with service animals should contact Tommy B’s before booking to discuss trip logistics and safety.

  • Tommy B’s reserves the right to refuse service or end participation without refund for any guest who appears impaired, behaves recklessly, refuses safety instructions, damages equipment, or negatively impacts other guests. If one person in a group is refused service, the group is responsible for making sure that person is safely supervised or transported. No guest who appears impaired may be left alone at the launch, pickup area, or parking area while the rest of the group floats. Rainchecks may be offered at Tommy B’s discretion but are not guaranteed.

Booking and Trip Details

  • All Tommy B’s Rum River tubing trips must be booked online in advance. Choose your float time, reserve your tubes, and complete your booking through the online booking page. Walk-up bookings are not available.

  • Tommy B’s offers public Rum River float times at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer season. All float times must be reserved online in advance.

  • Book as early as possible, especially for weekends, warm weather, and larger groups. Same-day bookings may be available on Saturdays and Sundays, but reservations must be completed online at least 2 hours before your float time.

  • Yes. Groups are welcome, but each float session is limited to 14 participants. Larger groups should book early to get enough available spots in the same float time.

  • Guests park and launch at the Rum River North Park Canoe Put In in St. Francis. Because map apps may route to the wrong side of the river, guests receive an exact parking pin and arrival instructions in their confirmation email.

  • Most Rum River tubing trips take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on river levels, current, and how often your group stops along the way. A recent test float took about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but guests should allow extra time for a relaxed, natural river experience.

  • Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled float are eligible for a full refund minus processing fees. Cancellations within 24 hours may receive a 50% refund, and raincheck or rescheduling options may be available when space allows.

Tubes, Coolers & What to Bring

  • Each tubing reservation includes a premium river tube and shuttle service. Cooler tube add-ons may be available during the online booking process.

  • Tommy B’s provides the tubes used for scheduled floats. Outside tubes are not used for booked floats so we can manage equipment, shuttle timing, and the overall guest experience. Questions can be directed to info@tbrrfc.com.

  • A cooler tube is a separate inflatable tube designed to carry a cooler or approved items during your float. Coolers must latch closed in case they tip, and cooler tubes must stay attached to a guest’s tube during the trip.

  • Yes. Guests may bring snacks and drinks for the float, but disposable containers are not allowed. To help protect the Rum River, please pack drinks and snacks in reusable bottles, insulated cups, reusable jugs, or snap-top food containers. Glass, Styrofoam, cans, plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other single-use items should be left at home.

  • Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet. Secure footwear is required, such as water shoes or secure sandals with a heel strap. Flip-flops are not allowed.

  • You may bring a phone, but a waterproof pouch or case is strongly recommended. Leave valuables and anything you do not want getting wet, damaged, or lost at home or secured in your vehicle.

First Time Floaters

  • Yes. Tommy B’s is designed to be a relaxing, beginner-friendly Rum River tubing experience. Guests should still be comfortable around water, follow all rules, and understand that the Rum River is a natural waterway with changing conditions.

  • Tommy B’s is a locally owned Rum River tubing company offering tube rentals, cooler tube add-ons, and shuttle service from St. Francis, Minnesota. We focus on a fun, family-friendly experience while helping protect the Rum River through responsible outdoor recreation. LEAVE NO TRACE