For about eight years now, a rather unique image has floated around in the back of our minds – a picture Justin stumbled upon in a magazine while we were making vision boards: people floating serenely down a river in what looked like a repurposed stock tank. It seemed utterly whimsical, perfectly quirky, and immediately landed on our “someday” adventure list. Year after year, life happened, other trips took priority, and the dream of “tanking” the North Platte River in Nebraska gently receded. Until now! This year, we finally remembered, made the plan, and brought that long-held vision to life.
We purchased our excursion through Dusty Trails, based in North Platte, Nebraska. Their “river float trips” offer a variety of ways to experience the tranquil North Platte, and for us, the choice was obvious: it had to be the tank.
Arriving at the meeting point 25 minutes early, we wondered, would we be tanking today? It was lightning and then heavy rain. We kept watching the sky and what direction the clouds were moving and where we would be. One other car was in the parking lot, having arrived earlier than us. At 11:30, there was still no guide or van/truck. The other couple called and left a voicemail. Hopefully they were late just waiting for the weather to clear. Soon, but late, the van arrived and a lady got out and opened the doors and just stood there, on the backside out of sight, I think waiting for us. No greeting. No welcome. I went over, introduced myself (in case she had a check off list) and asked if we were to bring our own chairs for the tank or if there was seating. She said there were benches in all the floats. Happy we had less to carry, we gathered our small cooler and day bag and got into the van. The other couple, from Denver, had their two dogs and kept conversation going for our 15 minute ride to the drop off point. In the van, the lady started to explain when to de-tank, but in the back seat I couldn’t hear any of it and thankfully the other couple relayed the message.
Upon arriving at the drop-off, there was a toilet (there was also one near the parking lot/end point). We were instructed to grab a life jacket and ore and lady started to roll one of the tanks to the river. Justin, excited, decided to start rolling the other tank. These aren’t your typical inflatable rafts. Imagine a large, round, galvanized stock tank, usually used for watering livestock, now repurposed with benches inside and an open top.
Sliding into the tank and pushing off into the gentle current of the North Platte River was incredibly satisfying. It was exactly as we had imagined – a slow, peaceful drift, offering a unique perspective of the Nebraska landscape. The portion we were on was about 2 miles. The sun kept trying to peek out of the clouds, the water glinted, and the only sounds were the soft ripple against our tank, birds chirping (including the American Goldfinche) and the occasional rooster. We saw a few deer cross the river, making us smile.
What makes tanking so special is the utter relaxation it provides. There was no frantic paddling, no navigating rapids (at least not on this stretch of the North Platte!). It’s pure, unadulterated floating. We did have to navigate a few sandbars (the other couple kept getting stuck on them) but that was easy — and actually you could get out on them to enjoy the river, which was tempting. We chatted, laughed, watched the clouds drift by, and simply soaked in the quiet beauty of the river banks. The North Platte, while not dramatically scenic in the same way a mountain river might be, offers its own subtle charm with its sandy banks, cottonwood trees, and abundant birdlife.
The tank proved to be remarkably stable and comfortable, a perfect little floating lounge. So simple. We brought a few beers/drinks and some crackers, turning our river journey into a lazy picnic (although we didn’t eat our snack, so maybe it was more like a happy hour). Our float time was close to 1 hour 20 minutes, a bit shorter than I would have liked.
Nearing the end point (the bridge as a landmark), we made our way to the right side so we can get out at the small boat ramp, we reluctantly climbed out of our floating sanctuary. There was no one to welcome us on the return or collect our supplies, as floating time can vary greatly, so we had to move the tank to the side, out of the way of the ramp. Flipping the tank on its side was a wee bit harder than expected, but it was easy to roll to the side. We dropped off our life jackets and oars, changed in the bathroom so we can go for lunch.
The tanking experience was the realization of a long-held, quirky travel dream. It perfectly blended relaxation with novelty, proving that sometimes, the simplest ideas make for the most memorable adventures. It’s an ideal activity for friends, families, or couples looking for a unique way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors – although I think it would be more fun with a group. The 5 mile float seemed too long but the 2 mile was too short. Dusty Trails wasn’t anything special; they transported us one way and gave us the supplies we needed, and that was that. Any outfitter would do. If you’re ever looking for a uniquely Nebraskan way to beat the heat and embrace a bit of slow-paced fun, you should grab a tank and float down the North Platte.
Watch our float: