PaddleBrave Tubing Adventure – 4th of July on the Au Sable

🌊 PaddleBrave Tubing Adventure – 4th of July on the Au Sable

Date: July 4th Weekend

Location: South Branch of the Au Sable River, Roscommon, Michigan

Hosted by: PaddleBrave Camp & Canoe

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🚣‍♀️ A Perfect Summer Escape on the River

On a picture-perfect Fourth of July weekend, we traded fireworks for flowing water and found a slower kind of celebration: a 4-hour tubing trip down the Au Sable River with PaddleBrave. Nestled in the woods near Roscommon, PaddleBrave offers a laid-back, old-school river experience — the kind that makes you breathe a little deeper and laugh a little longer.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this wasn’t a commercial zoo. This was community, calm, and cold drinks floating beside you in an inner tube. What more could we want?

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🟣 First Impressions: Friendly Faces & Flawless Setup

Check-in at PaddleBrave was quick and easy. The staff handed us our tubes — bright purple with built-in cupholders — and helped us load into the shuttle van for a short ride upstream. The vibe was festive but relaxed: big families, couples, friend groups, and even solo floaters were all in the mix.

Once we hit the water, time melted away. The river was calm and shallow, perfect for kicking back and letting the current do the work.

📸 A Few Highlights From the Float

• Scenic Surroundings:

Towering pines, sunny clearings, and a peaceful canopy of green surrounded us the whole way. At times, we were floating through cathedral-like corridors of trees, dappled sunlight flickering on the water.

• Great Company:

There were just enough people on the river to keep things fun without ever feeling crowded. Tubes were tied together in clusters, coolers were floating beside us, and conversations drifted downstream with the breeze.

• Pure Relaxation:

Feet up, drink in hand, tunes softly playing from a nearby group — this was the summer break we didn’t know we needed. Kellie laid back in her floral swimsuit and sunglasses while I propped my legs on her float. Total bliss.

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🏕️ After the Float: PaddleBrave's Hidden Perks

The float ended at the campground, making it super convenient to dry off and relax. PaddleBrave offers rustic cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups — all surrounded by nature. Their little camp store had essentials, and the staff was full of local tips.

If you’re not staying overnight, there’s still access to showers and picnic areas. It’s the kind of place you immediately start planning to return to — next time maybe with a group and a couple more days to hang out.

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❤️ Why We Recommend PaddleBrave for Tubing

What We Loved Why It Mattered

Friendly staff Made check-in smooth and the vibe welcoming

Beautiful river Shallow, scenic, and beginner-friendly

4-hour float Just the right length to unwind without rushing

Great holiday crowd Lively but respectful, even on a busy weekend

Optional camping Easy to turn the trip into a weekend getaway

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🗣️ Final Thoughts

This was one of those rare holiday weekends where everything just clicked — sunshine, nature, good company, and nothing on the schedule except to float, laugh, and relax. PaddleBrave kept it simple, safe, and absolutely memorable.

If you're looking for an easy, joyful way to spend a summer day (or the whole weekend), we can’t recommend this experience enough. Whether you're local or coming up from downstate, PaddleBrave is worth the drive.

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📍 Plan Your Trip

🛶 PaddleBrave Camp & Canoe – Google Maps

📞 (989) 275-5273

🌐 paddlebrave.com