St Vrain Creek Tubing Info

EXPERIENCE ST VRAIN CREEK SAFELY

The St Vrain Creek flows through the heart of Lyons, offering scenic beauty, recreation opportunities, and is a tremendous natural resource. In recent years, many visitors have started visiting Lyons and its public parks and open space to enjoy tubing, kayaking and fishing activities along the St Vrain Creek. Visitors and residents also enjoy cycling, walking, and the public amenities along the St Vrain Creek and trails in Lyons.

Lyons strives to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for all. Please practice responsible recreation and be mindful of safety and your surroundings to help protect this natural resource and ensure everyone has both a safe and enjoyable experience. 

The Town of Lyons  does not rent tubing or kayak equipment or manage an online reservation system for tubing. We do have a local outfitter who offers tubing rentals during safe conditions. If you are interested, we encourage you to contact Ray's River Rentals, the official local outfitter for tubing rentals and safety equipment in Lyons.


St Vrain Creek Safety Status

St Vrain Creek warning flags indicate safety of creek for recreators, from red flags, which closes the creek, to yellow (use caution), and green (creek is open, flows are moderate, use caution).

August 6, 2025 Tubing Information:

Green Flag: St Vrain Creek is open to all uses. Please use regular caution in the water.


Tubing is not allowed when the St Vrain Creek is more than 450 CFS (cubic feet per second). To see the current flow in Lyons, click here.

Double-Red Flag: Closure – St Vrain Creek through Lyons is closed to all uses. This may be due to a combination of high flows and other unsafe conditions, such as low temperature or debris in the water, that makes St Vrain Creek unsafe for all uses. (This is rare and usually weather related.)

Red Flag: High Flow – St Vrain Creek is closed for swimming and tubing. Only experienced kayakers and other vessels should be in the creek. Users should also wear protective gear and be able to rescue themselves in the water. High caution should be used in the water. ( This is typical in the early summer season with run-off and high water flows.)

Yellow Flag: Moderate to High Flow –Not recommended for children under 18. St Vrain Creek is open to all uses. Please exercise heightened caution while in the water and be mindful of hidden obstacles.

Green Flag: St Vrain Creek is open to all uses. Please use regular caution in the water.


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Safety Tips for Tubers


Tubing in the St Vrain is at your own risk.
Tubing in cold, swift moving water is unwise for children under 14.
Tubing can be very dangerous when the water is high and very fast moving.
Always wear a life vest/personal flotation device.
A personal flotation device (lifejacket/PFD) is REQUIRED for those under the age of 13 through July 15 each year.
For traction, wear aqua shoes or old sneakers and NOT flip flops.
Don't carry a wallet, phone or anything you do not wish to lose.
Tie your car key tightly to your bathing suit or shorts. It may be difficult to untie, but better than losing your key in the river.

 
Cold water (less than 70 degrees F) presents a serious risk factor if you fall in and are unable to stand up and get ashore.
Button Rock Reservoir, which flows into the St Vrain can register as cold as 53 degrees in summer.