Pembina River Tubing
Pembina River Tubing
3.5
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Pembina River Tubing
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
24 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Karen H
Canada131 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We visited the Pembina River with our kids this weekend, and took advantage of the tube rentals & shuttle service from Pembina River Tubing. The staff were helpful, the equipment all seemed to be well-maintained, and we were very thankful for the shuttle ride back at the end! The safety policies in place were appreciated, even if some people chose to disregard them.
Take the time to read up on this trip before you go, and it'll be more enjoyable than if you don't prepare. There's a bit of a hike through the woods to get to the river, and you need to carry your tubes/rafts down there. Some people didn't seem to expect this. Take the advice from the website - wear shoes, don't bring valuables along, and check the water level/speed so you know what sort of ride to expect.
The one negative about this trip was the number of people who were drinking and were pretty intoxicated by the time they got on the shuttle at the end. This has nothing to do with the Pembina River Tubing company itself, as they have done their best to discourage people from bringing alcohol on the river. Please just go have a good time with your friends & family, and don't put your own and others' lives at risk (either by drowning, or driving afterward).
Take the time to read up on this trip before you go, and it'll be more enjoyable than if you don't prepare. There's a bit of a hike through the woods to get to the river, and you need to carry your tubes/rafts down there. Some people didn't seem to expect this. Take the advice from the website - wear shoes, don't bring valuables along, and check the water level/speed so you know what sort of ride to expect.
The one negative about this trip was the number of people who were drinking and were pretty intoxicated by the time they got on the shuttle at the end. This has nothing to do with the Pembina River Tubing company itself, as they have done their best to discourage people from bringing alcohol on the river. Please just go have a good time with your friends & family, and don't put your own and others' lives at risk (either by drowning, or driving afterward).
Written August 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen G
Calgary, Canada55 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Very long lineups , very slow to get the waiver signed.
We brought ou own tube so we sis not have to line up for that.
Access to the river is very steep, not so good for young children or older people, could be quite dangerous.
Rafting was quite bit of fun and very relaxing, scrapping your back on rocks not so much....thus the waiver ...... rocks should be identified more than they are in the rapids. Very primitive. Bus ride back was fine, a bit sardinish for 6 foot people, short school bus. One really aggravating thing wa after we deflated our four person float and washed it in the river the crew put it on top of the bus. That part was ok, but throwing it into the dirt when we returned was not appreciated one bit and i told that to the driver, she just looked at me. Hopefully no holes int it from hitting the ground from the top of the bus.
We brought ou own tube so we sis not have to line up for that.
Access to the river is very steep, not so good for young children or older people, could be quite dangerous.
Rafting was quite bit of fun and very relaxing, scrapping your back on rocks not so much....thus the waiver ...... rocks should be identified more than they are in the rapids. Very primitive. Bus ride back was fine, a bit sardinish for 6 foot people, short school bus. One really aggravating thing wa after we deflated our four person float and washed it in the river the crew put it on top of the bus. That part was ok, but throwing it into the dirt when we returned was not appreciated one bit and i told that to the driver, she just looked at me. Hopefully no holes int it from hitting the ground from the top of the bus.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments. We will take them under advisement. Not sure what to do about the rocks in the river though.
Written August 29, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
K W
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Lots of fun for minimal cost. For about $30 (depending on which tube you choose), you get the rental of a tube, a life jacket, parking, and a ride back to your car at the end. Had a great time, we were 70, 68 and 62. Even though the river was lower than I would have liked, it took 4-1/2 hrs to mostly float gently down the river. We did spend some time getting around rocks (mostly small), but a higher river will make that much easier. We went way past the day use area, where we were supposed to get off, but luckily a camper spotted us and gave us a ride back to our car. A big sign would have been much better, as there are few options once you get past the campground. We went 3 times in 3 weeks and will be there as much as we can when they reopen next year. We bought paddles after the first trip, much better than the frisbees they provide. Also learned to wear leggings to guard against sunburn and rocks, a good hat that ties on, sunglasses with strap, and a water bottle cause 3-1/2-4-1/2 hrs is a long time to be without water. Had a blast and it was the most fun we’ve had in years The scenery is wonderful, the staff incredibly helpful and friendly, but they should talk slower if it’s your first time, especially when explaining where to exit.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wafer b
Edmonton, Canada9 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
While the river itself is enjoyable, the tubing rental company is completely disorganized. We waited on a line of 50 people for 120 minutes to sign a waiver to use the shuttle at the end of the float. On the shuttle there was a sign saying you could pay 20$ and get on. ( no waiver needed). I have no idea why we had to sign a waiver to ride a school bus. In order to sign the waiver you had to listen to a worker explain the procedure and the floating route.
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t hand out clipboards with waivers on them so you could review and sign them in line. As well, you couldn’t listen to the speech with several random people. You could only go in with your own group of friends. So sometimes it was 6 people and sometimes it was 2 which slowed it down immensely.
Here is the best way to enjoy your day…..take 2 vehicles. Park one at the end of the float at Pembina River Provincial Park. Get in second car and drive up to the Starting area. Bring your own tube. They charge 35$ for rental. You can buy your own for cheaper than that. This will save you the rental and shuttle costs.
If you only have 1 car, only have 1 person take the shuttle back. I was amazed how many groups paid extra for the shuttle when you only need 1 person to ride the shuttle 5 min back to the parking lot to get the car.
The staff blamed all the problems on being short staffed. Only had 4 instead of 20 employees show up. Based on all the rentals and shuttles they were hauling in $10-20k per day in revenue. PAY YOUR STAFF!
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t hand out clipboards with waivers on them so you could review and sign them in line. As well, you couldn’t listen to the speech with several random people. You could only go in with your own group of friends. So sometimes it was 6 people and sometimes it was 2 which slowed it down immensely.
Here is the best way to enjoy your day…..take 2 vehicles. Park one at the end of the float at Pembina River Provincial Park. Get in second car and drive up to the Starting area. Bring your own tube. They charge 35$ for rental. You can buy your own for cheaper than that. This will save you the rental and shuttle costs.
If you only have 1 car, only have 1 person take the shuttle back. I was amazed how many groups paid extra for the shuttle when you only need 1 person to ride the shuttle 5 min back to the parking lot to get the car.
The staff blamed all the problems on being short staffed. Only had 4 instead of 20 employees show up. Based on all the rentals and shuttles they were hauling in $10-20k per day in revenue. PAY YOUR STAFF!
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri V
St. Paul, Canada2 contributions
Jul 2021
We have gone there for the last 5 years. They have new protocols and they are ridiculous. Yes they will charge you $2.00 to walk across the parking lot, and the security lady is a serious hag. We arrived in a large group this weekend and she was so angry she was shaking, as we tried to leave because she was so awful she frightened the 6 year old who was with us. I will never step another foot on this property and I will advise every else not to support a business that will employ such a tyrant. This is not the only access to the river.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicchr333
Edmonton, Canada4 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Money Grab!! They charge you to use the river but offer no assistance or direction on what to do. The river was low therefore the tubes hit the rocks and ours popped. There was no warning of this. We had to paddle most of the time with our shoes to move. (They don’t offer paddle rentals) . There was no floating involved. There is one area that the rocks are the same level as the water. This was not fun nor relaxing. A lot of work involved. I understand that the river level is out of their control but warnings should be given. Will not be returning. Very disappointed.
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodi W
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Friends
I have been river tubing at Pembina for 6 years. I love it so much! It is my absolute favorite thing I look forward to every year. So tragically the fire destroyed it last year, but I am thrilled that it's up and running again! The staff is amazing and thorough, and the river can throw some surprises in as Nature does, which is part of the adventure!
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim C
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada86 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Floated down the 3 hour river with husband on a air bed, lol! It was nice and relaxing with the entire scenic view of the river bed.
There were other people too which makes it not so scary. We went on a hot hot day.
There were other people too which makes it not so scary. We went on a hot hot day.
Written September 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CassCurr
Morinville, Canada93 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We had never tubed down the Pembina, so we decided to rent the tubes and take the shuttle. Was about $27 a person for a tube and ride from the get out point back to the vehicle. This also included life jackets. The float was a few hours, nice scenery, jumped out a few times for a dip. We packed a lunch and picked a spot to get out and enjoy out lunch on the shore. We went as a group of 5 , two adults, two teens and 1 child. We all had a great time, and everyone wants to go back.
The directions from the staff of the tubing company were very clear on where to get in and where to get out. The trip ended at a nice beach area with a few rope swings, we spent an hour there just playing in the river.
The directions from the staff of the tubing company were very clear on where to get in and where to get out. The trip ended at a nice beach area with a few rope swings, we spent an hour there just playing in the river.
Written August 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrii D
13 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
It was a really enjoyable experience. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Floating down the river was quite relaxing as well as the scenery was beautiful. We made a couple of stops along the way so we could have a swim and in the end had a nice picnic. Highly recommended.
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When you arrive at Pembina River Tubing, you walk the trail to the river from the parking lot. If you go to the Pembina River Provincial Park, you park in day use area and walk the trail to the river. Please only use Google Maps or Apple Maps for directions to Pembina River Tubing. ALL other Apps take you to the wrong place. Also if you choose to float the river, remember the get out point is at the Pembina River Provincial Park Day Use Area Only.
Written September 4, 2018
if you can’t swim is floating down the river in a tube a problem? or is it shallow enough?
Written July 23, 2018
Hello Tatum, If you cannot swim, you really need to have a lifejacket on. We provide them with all rentals or you can rent one. The river varies in height and will be from ankle to over your head. Many people float the river who do not swim and had no problems because they wear their lifejackets.
Written July 25, 2018
The river does not required a guide as it is rated at the lowest class for rivers and everyone who rents tubes get life jackets with them. Age restrictions are posted on the website if required.
Written June 18, 2018
On average with Tube, Life Jacket, Ties, Paddles, Shuttle included for $31 per person.
Have More questions? Call 780-515-1754 and leave a message. Will Return you call tomorrow.
Written June 5, 2018
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