Episode 007:
Farmington River Tubing
New Hartford, CT
Even though it's the middle of winter, there's no reason you can't enjoy thoughts of summer, or start planning your daytrips for 2014! In this episode, we talk about our experience at Farmington River Tubing in New Hartford, CT, which is a very refreshing way to spend an afternoon!
Where is this place...
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Farmington River Tubing is located at Satans Kingdom State Recreation Area on U.S. Route 44 in New Hartford, CT. Just Follow U.S. Route 44 West out of Hartford, or from Torrington take U.S. Route 202 until it merges with U.S. Route 44 and turn left (West).
The Basics...
Tubing Hours:
Memorial Day to mid-June - Weekends, 10am to 5pm and some Weekdays, 11am to 4pm.
Mid-June to late-August - Every day, 10am to 5pm.
Late-August to Labor Day - Weekends, 10am to 5pm and some Weekdays, 10am to 5pm.
Tubing Cost:
Tubing + Bus Ride - $18-$20
Additional Bus Rides - $10 Each
Bus Rides Only - $10 Each
CASH ONLY
The Details...
The Farmington River Tubing is located in Satan's Kingdom Recreation Area, which is a small picnic area on the bank of the Farmington River, just off of U.S. Route 44 in New Hartford, CT. Even if you are not going to go tubing, this is a great spot to bring a picnic lunch. There are some tables, but they are located in the middle of the park, not by the river. This is because there is a pretty steep embankment down to the Farmington River. If you are feeling bold and can get a good grip of the trees, you might be able to find a nice place to sit on the riverbank.
Having been here several times, we have developed our routine. After arriving in the parking lot, we get ourselves together and change into our swimsuits. Water shoes are also recommended for this adventure! Make sure to bring your keys and your cash. You can leave everything else locked safely in your car.
At the main desk, you will have to sign a waiver and pay the tubing fee. You will then be provided with an inner tube and a life jacket. Make sure you take a life jacket from the back, as these will probably be the least used and the least smelly. Also, make sure your inner tube is properly inflated. Lastly, don't forget to ask when the last bus pick-up is scheduled.
Then, it's off to the river! We have found that actually getting on the tube can be the hardest part. You can either stand in the water with the tube behind you and fall into it, or put the tube in the water and try to back crawl onto it. If you need help, ask one of the staff member or a friend!
The entire 2.5 mile trip tubing down the Farmington River, including the bus ride back, takes about an hour and a half to two hours. The river has three small rapids, one right at the beginning underneath the U.S. Route 44 Bridge, one in the middle and one towards the end. We think the middle one is the best. Make sure to hold onto your tube! Most of the rest of the time, the river is fairly slow moving and will send you at a relaxing pace downstream. Make sure to avoid large rocks, tree boughs and bushes. If you are getting to close, get a friends to grab you or just paddle out of the way. The water is not too deep in most places and there are areas you can stand, so don't worry too much about falling out of your tube. However, some areas are deep or are rocky and difficult to stand. It is recommended that you do not stand up in the river. If you do fall out of or stand up from your tube, you can always get a friend to help you back onto your tube. The water is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.
The river is very scenic. You will probably run across people on the side of the river fishing, camping or drinking. You may also encounter some people kayaking.
At the end, you get out of the river and ride the bus back. The bus ride takes about 7-10 minutes, but you may have to wait up to 20 minutes to catch the bus. Don't forget to bring towels, a change of clothes, and some body spray for when you get back to your car. Back in the parking lot, you will most likely find some people cruising as people change their clothes going in and out of the river.
If you are looking for actual whitewater rafting, you will be able to find it on the Housatonic River in April. The rapids on the river are caused by melting snow upstream. The Housatonic River valley can be extremely scenic with lush greenery, plenty of wildlife and even a covered bridge. However, it can be a bit pricey and the rapids are not for the faint of heart.
Gays at Play! Rating:On the Low
You don't want to be loud here or put on a show, but you know there are some spots around the back... Playing it straight will help to avoid trouble from watchful eyes.
Recommended for: Gay Friends
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
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