UpRiver Adventures offer safe, enjoyable, and family-friendly Peace River airboat tours, swamp buggy tours, horse trail rides, and canoe trips in Arcadia, Florida. Experience the beauty of Florida’s natural environment; observe wildlife such as alligators, deer, wild boar, and turkey, while learning the history of the Peace River.
Scenic and Exciting Peace River Airboat Tours
UpRiver Adventures’ knowledgeable boat captains and crew will share the history of the Peace River and local native Florida wildlife. See alligators, a wide variety of birds, and beautiful natural scenery on an airboat tour.
Airboats are flat-bottom boats propelled by giant fans, which allows them to skim over shallows and grass.
UpRiver Adventures 50-minute guided airboat tours offer thrilling speeds, incredible wildlife encounters, and breathtaking views of Florida’s pristine wilderness, perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers of all ages.
Each tour is personalized based on the group, from an exciting thrill ride, to slow and relaxing.
Swamp Buggy Tours
A swamp buggy is the ultimate off-road vehicle to experience Southwest Florida’s natural landscape because they are outfitted with oversized tires and an elevated platform offering riders a rare 12-foot vantage point.
Traverse through muddy trails, swampy terrain, and thick Florida hammocks in complete safety and comfort while experiencing true off-road adventure at its finest. Observe wildlife like deer, wild boar, turkey, and more while UpRiver Adventure’s experienced tour guides will share their personal knowledge of the area.
Swamp buggy trips are family-friendly, smooth, comfortable, and quiet. Tours last approximately 50-minutes. Tours are presented by Varner Valley Ranch Tours.
UpRiver Adventures offers an airboat and swamp buggy tour combo which includes a swamp buggy tour and an airboat ride!
Peace River Canoe Trips
One of the most popular ways to explore the Peace River is via canoe. Experiencing the serene beauty of the river as you paddle along the relaxed current is a must do for all ages. UpRiver Adventures offers self-guided canoe and kayak trips—from afternoon paddles to overnight camping adventures—that let you connect with nature at your own pace, making for a perfect experience for families, couples, and solo explorers alike.
The Peace River is known for its calm, tea-colored water that winds gently through lush hammocks and beneath majestic cypress trees draped in Spanish moss.
It is common to spot wading birds like herons and egrets, sunbathing turtles on fallen logs, and maybe even a snoozing alligator on a distant riverbank.
Launch upriver and float back at your own pace. The self-guided format means you have the freedom to stop to swim, picnic, or watch for wildlife whenever you wish.
Once you launch, the river is yours to explore at your own pace, giving you the freedom to paddle, float, or pull over to enjoy the scenery as you please.
UpRiver Adventures also offers an airboat ride and canoe paddle combo eco tour. This guided half-day 8-mile excursion is a fun filled adventure that begins with an exciting airboat ride up the Peace River followed by a relaxing paddle down current.
Tours are presented by Canoe Outpost.
Read our blog article about UpRiver Adventures (formerly Peace River Charters) here!
Peace River Horseback Trail Rides
Just like a Florida Cracker (Florida’s colonial-era pioneer settlers and cowboys), you can experience the serene Peace River on a 50-minute trail ride!
Ride along the beautiful Peace River and into the Florida Cypress hammocks. Fully immerse yourself in nature’s peaceful ambiance while spotting diverse wildlife. UpRiver Adventure’s horseback trail rides are safe and fun for all ages regardless of rider experience.
Each guided wilderness trail ride is led by an experienced native Floridian who will provide you and your group with a personalized one on one experience.
Tours are presented by Sweet Southern Horse & Carriage LLC.
UpRiver Adventures On-Site Wildlife Park
Jungle Doria’s Wildlife Park at UpRiver Adventures offers a variety of one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters and photo opportunities. Meet Madagascar lemurs, emus, capybaras, snakes, tortoise, porcupine, alligators, and more.
Learn fascinating facts about each animal’s natural habitat, behaviors, and conservation from their knowledgeable staff. Visitors can feed, touch, and interact with the friendly animals.
The Wildlife Park is free for anyone taking a UpRiver Adventures tour! Tours are presented by Jungle Dorias Wildlife Park LLC.
Wildlife Park admission without a tour is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Animal interactions require an additional fee.
Hands-on, interactive experiences create memorable encounters for visitors of all ages.
Junlge Doria’s Wildlife Park atmosphere combines entertainment with education, making it perfect for families, school groups, and animal lovers of all ages. The Wildlife Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the country store, hold a baby alligator, and meet Dale–the largest gator in Southwest Florida!
Extended trips and custom charter options are also available, call for pricing and availability. Groups of 17 or more receive a special discounted price!
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 863.444.0693.
UpRiver Adventures is located about an hour from downtown Sarasota at the Peace River Campgrounds in Arcadia, Florida off I-75, exit 205/Clark Road.