One of the most popular tubing creeks on the Front Range is open for floating this weekend.
Runoff from the spring melt has slowed down enough that it's safe to drop the yearly ban on tubing the St. Vrain Creek near Lyons, according to local officials. The ban officially ends at midnight tonight, June 2, though it could be reinstated later.
However, be warned that it's still flowing quite high and cold.
If you're going on your own, please refer to the town of Lyons' tubing safety guide. (No flip-flops, no drinking, wear a helmet. Normal life advice.)
The creek was flowing at about 300 cubic feet per second as of Friday afternoon. That's "advanced" conditions, according to Whitewater Tubing & Recreation, which will rent you a tube. Lifejackets are recommended, especially in these conditions. (Check in on current flow levels here.)
The highest access point to St. Vrain is the Highway 36 bridge over the river, according to the town of Lyons. The lowest recommended takeout is at Bohn Park, just southeast of downtown Lyons. It is not safe to tube beyond the McConnell Drive bridge, per the town. Please refer to the town's river access map. You are tubing at your own risk.
Also, while you're up there, I do love the Middle St. Vrain Trail for hiking. It may still be snowy, though.
