Elora Gorge Tubing 2026: Tickets, Dates, Rules
Written by Chloe Bennett • Published September 5, 2026 • Last verified September 5, 2026
What you need to know:
Tubing runs from June 26 to September 7, 2026, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last rental at 4 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance; no walk-up sales. You can buy up to 3 days ahead.
Cost: $21.50 per person without equipment; $55.50 per person with full rental (includes registration). Day-use admission is extra.
A $75 security deposit is required for equipment rentals, and all rented gear must be returned by 7 p.m. the same day.
Bring an approved tube, helmet with chin strap, and PFD, or rent them. A 1.3 km walk each way is required between entrance and exit points.
Tubing at Elora Gorge Conservation Area opens Friday, June 26, 2026, and runs through Monday, September 7, 2026. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) operates the tubing season daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last registration and equipment rental at 4 p.m. sharp. You'll need to buy tickets online in advance through the GRCA's ticket system; walk-up sales are not allowed. Tickets go on sale up to three days before your visit, so plan ahead if you want a specific date.
The cost for tubing registration without equipment is $21.50 per person. If you need gear, the complete equipment rental package is $55.50 per person, which includes the registration fee. On top of that, you'll pay the conservation area's day-use admission fee when you enter the gate. A security deposit of $75 is required for all equipment rentals, and you'll get it back when you return the gear.
You must have an approved tube, a helmet with a chin strap, and a personal flotation device (PFD). You can bring your own or rent all three as part of the package. GRCA-owned equipment must be returned by 7 p.m. on the same day you rented it. The GRCA enforces these rules for safety, and tubing can close without notice if river levels rise above eight cubic metres per second. Heavy rain can cause rapid increases, so check the river flows page before you head out.
Getting to the river involves a walk. Tubers must walk along the roadway for about 1.3 kilometres each way between the entrance and exit points. That's a 2.6-kilometre round trip on pavement, so sturdy footwear is strongly recommended. You'll also need to complete an online waiver before you arrive; the GRCA requires it for all participants.
Elora Gorge is one of 11 conservation areas in the Grand River system. The river runs past 22-metre-high cliffs, and the gorge is deep with steep walls. Hikers can use the marked riverside trails and scenic overlooks, but staying on those marked paths is essential for safety. Kayakers and tubers navigate the rapids below, and the views from above are striking.
If you're planning a trip, book your tickets online as soon as they become available, especially for weekends and holidays. The online system is the only way to secure a spot, and it prevents the disappointment of arriving to find the day sold out. Remember to factor in the day-use fee and the deposit when budgeting your outing.
One thing to know: the GRCA updates river conditions on its website, and tubing may close with little warning. Check the water levels for Elora (West Montrose) on the River Flows page before you leave home. If levels are high, the gorge will be closed to tubers, but the trails and overlooks may still be open for hiking.
So, mark your calendar for June 26. Buy your tickets online up to three days ahead, pack your own gear or rent it in advance, and arrive early enough to complete the waiver and get to the river by 4 p.m. at the latest. With the right preparation, you'll have a day of floating through one of Ontario's most dramatic river gorges.
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