• Choose Your Trip

    Let's go Rafting!

    We offer a wide variety of California Whitewater Rafting trips. We suggest choosing by location, duration, or difficulty.  Need A little more help making your choice?

    LET'S GET STARTED

    CALIFORNIA RAFTING

    OREGON RAFTING

    GUIDE SCHOOL!

    Choose By TRip Area

    • American River
    • Gold Country
    • Lake Tahoe/Reno
    • Northern California
    • Oregon
    • Sacramento
    • San Francisco Bay Area
    • SoCal / Los Angeles
    • Yosemite

    Choose By DIFFICULTY

    Low Spice Beginner Trips (Class II
    Medium Spice INtermediate Trips (Class III)
    Full Spice Advanced Trips (Class IV)
    Too Hot Advanced Trips (Class V)

    CHOOSE BY LENGTH

    Single Day Trips Great for first timers!
    2 Day Trips Make it an overnighter!
    Half-Day Trips Fast n' Fun!
    Multi-Day Trips The ultimate experience
  • Rafting Prices

    RAFT TRIP PRICING

    We offer a wide variety of rafting trip pricing that can fit any budget! From half-day quick runs to multi-day overnight adventures, we’re looking forward to getting you on the water.

    DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    VIEW ALL PRICING

    GROUP DISCOUNTS

    We offer the following group discounts for our California white water rafting adventures. You can also check out some of our most popular group rafting trips:

    • 5% off with 6-11 people
    • 10% off with 12-17 people
    • 15% off with 18-23 people
    • 20% off with 24-29 people
    • 25% off with 30+ people
    Learn More

    FAMILY RAFTING SPECIALS

    20-50% off Overnight vacations on selected weekday summer dates. Options for American River, Klamath, Carson and more!

    Learn More
  • Camping
  • Photos
  • Resources

    About Us

    Who are these Tributary Whitewater folks anyway?

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about our rafting trips.

    WHAT TO BRING

    Rafting, camping, or both? Check out our gear guide.

    GIFT
    CERTIFICATES

    This season, skip the stuff... gift the gift of rafting.

    OFFICIAL
    BLOG

    Keep up with the news on our official blog.

    Contact us.

    • 800-672-3846
    • Contact Us
    • 6500 CA-49 Lotus, CA 95651
    SEND US A MESSAGE

2017 Season Wrap Up

CALL TO BOOK | 530.626.7385

WOW, 2017 was an epic year for Whitewater rafting!

Our California rafting season began with high water on most rivers due to large snowpack in the mountains. Thank you El Nino! We started operations on April 7, 2017 and closed down after 168 days on numerous rivers, on September 22, 2017. Here’s a recap of our crazy rafting season…

The South Fork American River started with huge whitewater in the spring. The tamer Class 3 rapids transformed into Class 4 challenges which were constantly changing! We had to raise our minimum age on this and many other rivers. Flows mellowed back down to the typical 1800 cfs in late June.  

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”27″ exclusions=”199,200,201,204,205,183,194,198,184,192,195,180,197,206″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_slideshow” image_crop=”0″ image_pan=”1″ show_playback_controls=”1″ show_captions=”1″ caption_class=”caption_above_stage” caption_height=”20″ aspect_ratio=”1.5″ width=”60″ width_unit=”%” transition=”fade” transition_speed=”1″ slideshow_speed=”4″ border_size=”2″ border_color=”#1e5ebf” ngg_triggers_display=”always” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

Many of our Spring River trips do not have reservoirs feeding them and flow naturally from the snowpack in the mountains. These rivers all had extended rafting seasons! Our guides were just as excited as our clients to spend more time on these gems. The North Fork American and Cal Salmon lasted well into the end of June. Our favorite rafting trips on the North Yuba and East Fork Carson lasted thru the beginning of July! 

Families with kids were still in for a treat when they were not able to get on the South Fork American in the Spring. We offer trips on the Lower North and Lower Middle Forks of the American River which were ideal for anyone under 13. These wilderness trips are often forgotten by other outfitters who had to turn away families with younger rafters. 

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”27″ exclusions=”199,200,201,202,203,204,189,183,196,194,198,197,184,192,195,180″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_slideshow” image_crop=”0″ image_pan=”1″ show_playback_controls=”1″ show_captions=”1″ caption_class=”caption_above_stage” caption_height=”20″ aspect_ratio=”1.5″ width=”60″ width_unit=”%” transition=”fade” transition_speed=”1″ slideshow_speed=”4″ border_size=”2″ border_color=”#1e5ebf” ngg_triggers_display=”always” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

Trips on the popular Middle Fork American River were not available until the end of June. Even though it is a dam controlled river, flows were far too high for anyone to raft. We usually get on this river in May, but luckily we had other great Class 4 options. 

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”27″ exclusions=”199,200,201,202,203,204,205,206,189,183,196,184,195,180″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_slideshow” image_crop=”0″ image_pan=”1″ show_playback_controls=”1″ show_captions=”1″ caption_class=”caption_above_stage” caption_height=”20″ aspect_ratio=”1.5″ width=”60″ width_unit=”%” transition=”fade” transition_speed=”1″ slideshow_speed=”4″ border_size=”2″ border_color=”#1e5ebf” ngg_triggers_display=”always” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

The mighty Truckee River had a spring season starting in May as usual. Flows were higher than normal until June so we ran trips on the Verdi section until the Boca run became raftable just in time for the 4th of July holiday. 

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”27″ exclusions=”199,202,203,205,206,189,196,194,198,197,192,180″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_slideshow” image_crop=”0″ image_pan=”1″ show_playback_controls=”1″ show_captions=”1″ caption_class=”caption_above_stage” caption_height=”20″ aspect_ratio=”1.5″ width=”60″ width_unit=”%” transition=”fade” transition_speed=”1″ slideshow_speed=”4″ border_size=”2″ border_color=”#1e3ebf” ngg_triggers_display=”always” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

We want to thank everyone who came out rafting with us this year. Special thank you to all who tagged, mentioned and posted about your river experience with Tributary. We had so many wonderful clients this year, including families, bachelor & bachelorette parties, corporate groups, birthday celebrations, and vacationers from all over the world!

Check out some blog mentions and client videos from the 2017 rafting season:

(Tributary not responsible for any of the content on these external links):

  • Kermit & Trinity Travel Blog on their Middle Fork American River Trip
  • Run Wild Whitewater Rafting Special Feature of Tributary Guide Margaret Diehl
  • North Fork American River YouTube Video
  • Middle Fork American River Instagram Video

Sign up for our Newsletter for 2018 season predictions, updates and special discounts!

MORE RAFTING NEWS

Middle Fork American River Rafting

Opening weekend on the Middle Fork American River The scheduled releases from Oxbow Dam in

50% Off Return Rafting Trips

How to save money and have more fun! Once you get off the river, the

Going Green Blog: Episode 4 “2021 Employee of the Year selected non-profit”

  Rafting on the South Fork American River The South Fork of the American River

How long does it take to raft the South Fork American River?

  Rafting on the South Fork American River The South Fork of the American River

Middle Fork American River Rafting Trips – Summer 2022 Update

Summer Flows on the Middle Fork American River   The Middle Fork American River trips are

How to Become a River Guide

Become a river guide Ah the life of a River Guide – traveling to amazing

About Tributary Whitewater

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running white water rafting trips in Northern California & beyond since 1978. The company was originally founded by Dan Buckley, an integral player in the development of white water rafting in California. Dan Buckley’s love to share the excitement, wonder, and natural beauty that rivers have to offer with others lives on with the current owner, Jeremiah Copper.

Tributary continues to be an industry leader in the west coast rafting industry. We offer more rivers than any other outfitter, giving us the ability to accommodate younger kids down to ages 4 (thru our own experience as parents). Our team is one a kind, and everyone in our staff, from guides, to drivers, to the folks answering the phones – we all have a passion for what we do.

The rivers call to us for different reasons, be that extreme white water, fishing, enjoying nature or just experiencing new things & places. There is magic in every river trip. For some, you may first see a bald eagle in flight for the first time, or maybe conquer your first Class 5 rapid. We are here to help you choose your perfect adventure, for any excitement level.

Get In Touch
Tributary Whitewater Tours
6500 CA-49 Lotus, CA 95651
800-672-3846
Facebook Instagram Youtube
Contact Us

RAFTING NEWS

Middle Fork American River Rafting

June 2, 2022

50% Off Return Rafting Trips

May 28, 2022

Going Green Blog: Episode 4 “2021 Employee of the Year selected non-profit”

May 27, 2022

How long does it take to raft the South Fork American River?

April 3, 2022

keep calm and paddle on