O’Kenny Craft Spirits owns a beautiful 4-acre property on the banks of the Muskrat River. This is where we produce our famous O’Kenny Spirits like whisky, vodka, gin, rum and moonshine. This is our 4th year playing in and learning about the Muskrat River. The Muskrat River is a wild, natural, shallow river that offers the perfect mix of the calm river with some rapids that are very exciting with higher water flaows. It is great for kayaking, however, in some shallow spots, it is too challenging for inexperienced kayakers to get over the shallow rocks. These shallow rocks actually make this river perfect for river-tubing. The tubes just bump into the rocks and it makes for a fun ride instead of a dangerous ride. We knew we couldn’t keep this awesome tubing river a secret so we began renting special river tubes May 2022. O’Kenny River Tubing is keen to provide you with the gear, the services, and the information you need for an awesome and safe self-guided adventure.
CURRENT CONDITIONS: September Tubing is amazing! The sun has warmed up the river nicely to over 27 degrees C. The warm water even makes tubing on a cool day enjoyable. We are running the upper run called Moonshiners run. It starts 3.8 km upstream and you end at our distillery property. Book the shuttle for your driver and your vehicle will be waiting for you at the end. The run time ranges from 1 1/2 hours to 3 1/2 hours. Swimming is great whether it is accidental or intentional. It is common for tubers to try some adverturous ways to jump into their tubes at the launch and many end up missing their tubes and falling into the river. Check out our Facebook or Instagram pages for the most recent runs. The current is very slow currently, so paddles are highly recommended.
The Gear
We purchased a fleet of deluxe river tubes designed for running shallow, rocky rivers. This is the essential gear that we rent to each person in your group. If you have your own life jackets and kayak paddles, we recommend bringing them. We have a limited number of adult life jackets and paddles which we can rent for $3 each.
The Services
We can arrange a shuttle service so that your driver can leave your vehicle at the end of your run. This is a flat $7 per person fee. Parking is free. We suggest that only your driver needs the shuttle.
The Information
We take videos of tubers on the river under various river conditions. We want you and your group to see these videos on Facebook or Instagram @O’Kenny River Tubing. We want you to know what to expect before you book your tubes. Our monitoring station on the river gives us real time data on river flow, river level and water temperature and we watch the weather closely. We provide a briefing on river conditions and directions for a fun and safe SELF GUIDED run on the Muskrat River before you take your tubes.
Booking Options
Booking in advance helps us prepare for your visit, but we will try to accommodate last-minute planners too.
Advance Bookings
Reserve your tubes on the day you choose. For a discount book 30 days in advance.
Same Day Booking
Booking at least 1 to 2 days in advance is highly recommended, but on many days we have tubes and equipment available so we can add your small group to the groups already booked. Book at www.okenny.ca before 11 am.
River Tubing Times: We offer a 1pm run everyday. Capacity up to 80 tubes. When our regular 1 pm run is fully booked, we open the 4 pm or 10 am option. For groups or 10 or more we can arrange a special start time if 1pm doesn’t suit you. Extra shuttle fee may apply.
Step 1 Arrival: Please arrive 30 minutes before briefing on weekdays and 1 hour before briefing on weekends. You will need time to register and get prepared; If you show up late you may delay the briefing and everyone’s start time. You may forfeit your deposit if you don’t arrive early enough to get registered. Arriving early also allows time to get food from Norki’s Snack Shack. They are open everyday except Mondays.
Step 2 Waiver: Fill out your waivers inside the Tasting House. Every tuber requires a signed waiver completed. A parent or gaurdian must complete waivers for tubers under 18.
Step 3 Register & Payment: Payment for the remainder of your fees and additional items can be cash, credit or debit.
Step 4 Start with Briefing: Make sure the whole group is at the briefing just outside our Tasting House at Norki’s Snack Shack. We will show you how to use the equipment and give you safety instructions for the conditions.
Step 5 Shuttle: After the briefing, you will drive your vehicle to the start point up river to drop off all your passengers. Your driver will return their vehicle to our parking lot (free parking) and we will shuttle all the drivers back to the start point up river. Make sure you book this $7 shuttle for just the driver(s) in your group. The group can relax at the river start point while we shuttle all the drivers back up to the start point.
Full Group Shuttle can be arranged but your group will be shuttled after the drivers. Book this $7 shuttle for every person.
Duration: (1 ½ – 3 1/2 hour float time) There are 2 factors. The river’s flow is dependent on the season and recent rainfall to decide how fast it will move you. You decide on how much paddling you want to do. You can relax and let the water take you slowly or paddle at any rate you wish. On the same day we had a group take 1 1/2 hours and another group take 3 1/2 hours.
Last Step Check In: Return to the Tasting House with your tubes and equipment to check in with us when your entire group has returned. Report any missing or damaged equipment. If you have interesting pictures or feedback you can enter to win a prize. Cheers,
Stuff To Know
Location
O’Kenny River Tubing operates at the 4-acre O’Kenny Craft Spirits property at 2 International Drive, Pembroke, ON. We are approximately 90 minutes from Ottawa. We are 200 meters off the Trans-Canada Highway on the beautiful Muskrat River.
Accommodations
Relax and extend your stay: You can book one of our new rough tent campsites along the river or a parking lot site for your RV. We also have a hotel beside us and a hotel across the road.
Food (3 Terrific Options)
On-site, Norki’s Snack Shack is cooking amazing food truck fair every day from 11 to 7 except Mondays. Their amazing food has developed a loyal following for their smash burger, fish ‘n chips, and specialty poutines. See their full menu on Facebook.
More amazing meals are available a short walk across the road at Westwinds Restaurant or The Big Stop Restaurant.
Additional Details

Fun Additions
Spirit Tastings
We offer tastings for groups at $9 per person. It is the best way to try all the O’Kenny Craft Spirits and learn all about distilling spirits. You can book this once you get you tubing time 1 week prior to your trip.
Amazing Food
Norki’s Snack Shack has developed a loyal fan base that loves the attention they put into their food such as fish ‘n chips, smoked meat, specialty poutine and smash burgers and more.
RV Camping
2 unserviced RV sites, 1 serviced RV site on the pavement with 20 amp electrical and municipal water.
Hot Tub, Swimming Pool, Sauna and Showers
Drop In for a visit to the Pembroke Fitness Centre across the road. $8.85 gets your access to the Fitness Centre and all the perks.
Tent Camping
Extend your experience by booking a campsite along the river. 6 sites available @ $39/night; Coming July ‘22
Yoga Tube
Resuming June 2023. Special Yoga designed for relaxation before your tubing run.
Axe Throwing
Coming Fall 2024: Pembroke is known as a lumber town. The Pembroke Lumber Kings represent us in valley hockey rinks. It makes sense to offer the best axe throwing experience in the Ottawa Valley.
If you have more questions, please contact me.
Andrew Kenny
O’Kenny River Tubing
2 International Drive, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W5
613 281-1825 or email andrew@okenny.ca
River Tube Rental Prices
Let us know you are coming and your tubes will be reserved for the day you choose.
May Tube Rental
- $14.95 Early Booking
June Tube Rental
- $19.95 Early Booking
July/August Tube Rental
- $23.95 Early Booking
September Tube Rental
- $19.95 Early Booking
October Tube Rental
- $16.95 Early Booking
*book 30 days in advance to get early booking price.
Same Day Show Up & Go
Base price unless we have a promotion, depending on the availability of gear.
Booking 24 hours in Advance
Make sure your tubes are reserved and you have a shuttle for your driver. Base Price
Booking 30 Days in Advance
Make sure your tubes and shuttle are reserved. Early Booking Price
Shuttle Service for Drivers
$7 flat fee per driver. We shuttle your drivers 5km so your vehicle is waiting at the end of your tubing run. Free Parking
Group Shuttle Service
$7 flat fee per person: You must book at least 1 week in advance. Free Parking
**Rental equipment is not used on O’KENNY property, so we can’t supervise how it is used. It is your responsibility to use the equipment safely and legally. We will provide information that will help you make wise choices.