Helen Tubing and Helen Water Park

Save your money and go to the water park in Gainesville. It's 15.00 bucks a person. And that's too much money for 4 slides. I can see paying 10 or maybe 12. But not 15. I only gave it 1 star cause it wouldn't let me do 0 more

I visited the Helen Water Park this past weekend. When we boarded the bus to take us upriver for tubing. Despite every seat in the bus being filled, the driver, Merle Long, who is also the owner of Helen Water Park, inexplicably stopped at the end point on the river to pick up about two dozen other people who had finished tubing before he drove those who us who were going tubing. There was no seating room and and as a result, some 20+ passengers were forced to stand (which is against the law, as this bus was of a school bus design). Wouldn't it have been easier to first drop off the passengers who were going tubing at the starting point and then pick up those who had finished tubing? During the ride up to the starting point, Mr. Long noticed that several adolescent passengers were in possession of open containers of alcohol. He confiscated the alcohol, which these passengers handed over to him without resistance. However, Mr. Long wouldn't "let it go." While driving the bus, he continued to lecture the adolescent passengers about how they were wrong to be carrying alcohol, etc., provoked a response from these adolescents, thus inciting a verbal exchange. Mr. Long then abruptly pulled the bus over to the side to kick the adolescent passengers off. Obviously forgetting that we were all packed in like sardines, he abruptly opened the door which slammed against a female passenger's arm, injuring her. Mr. Long then called the police and refused to let any of the other passengers off the bus. Merle Long is an embarrassment to his water park. He's a stubborn, judgmental individual, who's very set in his ways and should not be interacting with the public. more

I agree with another reviewer. Merle Long is a complete douche bag. For a business owner, he is disrespectful, rude and ignorant. Lost our keys in the river and had a spare in the vehicle. Locksmith was on their way and he tried to force us out. I'm not leaving my car at your crappy fleamarket. Nonetheless, he called the law (for what though). I hear he does it frequently. Avoid the crazy old man and pay the extra $2 and tube at cool river. more

We lost our keys in the river. However, they were found and turned into a Helen Tubing employee. However, that employee lied and said she never had them. However, the next day, after a confrontation with the owner, they "somehow" showed up at another place of business nearby. But hey! It only cost us a meager $250!! Please never give these liars your money. Thanks! more

Good: The value of tubing for 3$ for 3 hours really can't be beat. I did notice my pink tube was slightly smaller then the green tubes going down the river but they still floated down the river just the same. The bus service to the dropoff was alright though I was a little concerned when the driver, the owner, took off while people were still standing and all the seats had been filled. I couldn't believe he would leave.. Bad: Oh my word, the bathrooms. The bathrooms (womens) were disgusting. We didn't take advantage of the Water Park but the kids and I needed to use the restroom before we got on the bus. I couldn't believe how nasty the bathrooms were. Water, muddy water, all over the floor, toilet paper stuck to the seats and on the floor. Garbage overflowing. The farther down the line of sinks you went the less pressure. The changing area looked just as bad if not worse. I literally felt like puking. It even stunk of urine.. Improvements: A little maintenance and a custodian would go a LONG way.. more

Good: the river and snack area. Bad: merle long (owner) was very rude to me and everyone on the bus the day we visited :(. Improvements: too bad for the longs maybe he needs a vacation. Other: seek medical help for the obvious nervous disorder you are faceing. more

LOOK FOR THE HOT PINK TUBES. They offer a 1 1/2 hour trip or 3 hour trip. And they have 3 locationsto choose from. Tubes are available with or without bottoms, changing rooms, FREE Shuttle Service, restrooms, picnic tables, FREE Parking. It was a SUPER day! It was the first time we've ever been & we were ready go come back but we will have to wait until next spring. Its a fun day for everyone! more