Treasure Island in Troy is becoming a destination for a large variety of activities thanks to upgrades and additions to the park in recent years. Float Troy is accepting reservations for the 2023 season. More information can be found online at www.float-troy.com.
Courtesy | City of Troy
TROY — Those interested in a unique camping weekend or evening should check out Float Troy, a one-of-a-kind event where participants can camp out on the river. Not next to it, on it.
In specialized, floating tents manufactured in Troy, you can enjoy a night under the stars as the gentle current of the Great Miami River lulls you to sleep.
The annual event was created in 2018 by then Mayor Mike Beamish in an attempt to create a unique experience that would draw people from all over to Troy. The city purchased Shoal tents, manufactured by Troy company Smithfly, that are comprised of a raft and inflatable tent and employed them at Treasure Island Park in Troy.
Assistant Director of Recreation Carrie Slater said. “It has been very well received.”
“The weekends tend to fill up first,” she said, “then the weekdays are usually filled.”
Located at Treasure Island Park, Float Troy offers a total of nine floating tents that are available for overnight rental on designated nights throughout the summer. Tent rental includes the use of a kayak that campers can use to get back and forth from the shore.
Outdoor enthusiasts can rent these tents for $95 per night. In addition to the tent, campers are provided with a watercraft (kayak or raft), life vests, and oars. Additional watercraft can also be rented for the evening.
Four people can stay in each tent, and restrooms are available 24-hours a day for campers at Treasure Island Park. More information can be found online at www.float-troy.com.
Registration fills up quickly for Float Troy’s the one-of-a-kind camping experience, so make your reservations now. Reservations must be cancelled seven days prior for a refund. Tents can hold a maximum of four adults or two adults and two children. Pets are not allowed.
“We typically recommend two adults and two children,” Slater said. “Four adults do fit in there, but it’s kind of a tight squeeze.”
The recreation department started renting the floating tents in the summer of 2020. A truly one-of-a-kind attraction, Float Troy draws visitors from across the country.
“I believe we are the only public floating tent experience in the United States,” Slater said. “We’ve had many people coming from Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.”
“The Float Troy program definitely attracts many families from outside of the area,” she said. “Not only are they staying in the Float Troy tents, they are also exploring our city, and utilizing the bike path and visiting our downtown merchants.”
Float Troy has more to offer than the waterway camping. Treasure Island Park is a part of the Great Miami Riverway, of which Troy is a partner. It features 99 miles of river and paved bike and walking trails. Campers can spend their days exploring the trails and their nights floating on the Great Miami River. Registration is open now.
