1-Day River Rafting Trip

Choose Your River

BOOK THIS TRIP!
  • Location: Somes Bar, CA / Northern California
  • Level: Class V, Expert,
  • Dates: April - May
BOOK THIS TRIP!
  • River Miles: 15-18 miles
  • Trip Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm
  • Ability:
  • Meals: Lunch Included
  • Camping: Not Included, but available at Forest Service Campgrounds
  • Min Age: 14 years
Prices Starting At

$199 Adults (14+)

More Cal Salmon River Trips

TRIP OVERVIEW

A full day of Class 5 white water action on the Cal Salmon River! This is a sought after river trip for experienced paddlers. The season is usually short as flows are dependent upon snowpack/melt.

The Nordheimer Run provides non-stop action featuring many Class 3+, 4 & 5 rapids. There are 3 iconic Class V rapids called Cascade, and Last Chance with Freight Train right after that!

A well deserved lunch is included with the trip and prepared by your amazing river guides.

The last few miles of the trip are mellow and we have some time to catch our breath from all the action as well as reminisce over our journey.

Tributary Whitewater Tours operates under permits issued by the Six Rivers National Forest and is an equal opportunity service provider.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Raft Wild & Scenic the California Salmon (Cal Salmon) and Scott River
  • Must do section for experienced rafters
  • Challenging Class IV and V rapids with non-stop action
  • The Cal. Salmon River is free-flowing, so entirely dependent on snow-melt. Check our Predictions Page for expected flow conditions.

River Map

Trip Itinerary

Meet your guides near the Nordheimer Campground put-in in the morning. We will head to the river from there.

After pre-trip instruction and a swim test we launch for a day of action packed white water rafting! The trip has a mellow beginning and end giving us time to warm up and wind down.

 

The first rapids begin at mile 4 and are non stop for almost 10 miles! These challenging rapids include Portagee Falls, Achilles Heel, Whirling Dervish, Gaping Maw & more! There are 3 big Class V rapids named Cascade, Last Chance immediately followed by Freight Train.

Lunch is served riverside and the afternoon mellows out before our take out location at Somes Bar.

What Should I Bring

  • Required Items
    • Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle
    • Shoes (no flip flops)
  • Suggested Items
    • Sunglasses (with a strap)
    • Baseball hat
  • Do Not Bring
    • Cell Phones
    • Wallets
    • Expensive jewelry

 

Click here for a full detailed list of what to wear and what to bring.

Rafting shuttle services and fees included. For more information on trip shuttles click here.

What Does Tributary Provide

Included with Rafting

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Lunch

From The Blog

From The Blog

Four Whitewater Rafting Trip Gift Ideas for Every Adventurer

Blog, Rafting Specials
READ NOW
Whitewater rafting boat in the foreground with misty river canyon in the background.

Snake River Canyons Park: Nature, Adventure, and Relaxation

Rafting Locations
READ NOW
A couple of boats on the shore of a river. Calm river water with reflection of mountain peaks

Rafting Hells Canyon Idaho: A Whitewater Experience Like No Other

Rafting Locations
READ NOW
Deep river canyon with water flowing through it and tall mountain peaks surrounding it.

Snake River Expedition: An Adventure Through Hells Canyon

Rafting Locations
READ NOW
River view of stunning canyon walls and blue skies above.

Kayaking the Snake River: A Guide to Paddling Through Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon

Rafting Locations
READ NOW

Deepest Canyon in North America: Exploring Hells Canyon’s Hidden Wonders

Rafting Locations
READ NOW
Get In Touch
530.626.7385
Tributary Whitewater
Incredible River Experiences

We launch trips on many different rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. For questions give our main office a call – we would love to talk with you about our trips and rivers.

Contact Us
Whitewater specials, news & river trip updates

Subscribe to our newsletter to all the latest news from the river, info about our specials and more!

Follow us
Facebook Instagram Youtube Tiktok Twitter
the Rivers we run

Our vision is to create a sustainable and equitable reality where our rivers are enjoyed and protected, a place where families and friends can be inspired and challenged.

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running rivers since we were first founded in 1978. Since we opened 40+ years ago we have expanded to include Adventure Connection, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, High Desert River Outfitters, Canyon Outfitters and are the parent company of Raft California and Raft Oregon. While some things have changed over the years, Tributary remains a family-run small business with the same passion for the river and the mission of leading others to experience it.

 © 2024, Tributary Whitewater LLC, All Rights Reserved

Tributary Whitewater Tours is a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service, the CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Nevada County, El Dorado County and Bureau of Land Management. Tributary Whitewater Tours is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.
BOOK THIS TRIP
Take 10% Off
Any Whitewater Rafting Trip

Sign up for our email list and take 10% off your whitewater rafting trip.

Discount is not valid with any other offer and is limited to one use per customer.