There’s nothing more relaxing than leisurely floating down a lazy river on your back or in an inner tube, letting the lapping waters guide you along. But do you know what would add to your lazy river ride’s serenity? Striking scenery to admire as you float by.

A bit of softscaping can take your hardscaping to the next level. If you need tips for perfecting your backyard lazy river with landscaping, read on—we have great ideas to suit various style preferences.

Island Paradise

Is your idea of relaxation lounging on a sandy beach? Transform your lazy river into an equatorial escape by incorporating tropical plants—such as palms, pampas grass, and hibiscuses—into the landscaping. Don’t go overboard on tree cover, though; you want sunshine to filter through freely.

And do you want to mimic the shore? We don’t recommend flooding your entire yard with sand, but you can install a tranquil dry garden along the river to subtly incorporate the coast’s soft white grains.

Babbling Brook

If you love the untamed, natural look of forests, why not transform your lazy river into a babbling brook running through a grove? To pull this design off, you’ll want to keep artificial elements to a minimum. Landscape with diverse types and species of plants, from trees to bushes to flowers. Intersperse with craggy rocks and boulders of varied sizes. If you want a lounging deck, fashion it from sylvan natural stone or wood.

Rocky Retreat

If you want to feel like you’re on top of a mountain, a gruff, rocky design is up your alley. If this is the kind of look you’re going for, you’ll want to keep greenery to a minimum. Consider paving the area surrounding your lazy river in cobblestone. For added texture and dimension, you can use rock gardens and decorative boulders, along with simple, subtle plants like brittlebush and agave.

Hopefully, these tips for landscaping around backyard lazy rivers have spurred your creativity. The right landscaping can complete your lazy river’s design and turn it into the oasis you dream of. So think hard about the kind of aesthetic you want, then put your thoughts to action.

If you need help designing or installing a lazy river, get in touch with American Aqua Designs. We’ve been manufacturing, designing, and installing residential lazy rivers for over 30 years. Whether you want your lazy river to feel like a tropical paradise or a forest retreat, our experienced team can help bring your vision to life.