• 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

About Tributary Whitewater Tours

CALL TO BOOK | 530.626.7385
Dan Buckley guiding a raft thru Class IV Chamberlain Falls Rapid – North Fork American River Spring 1984

Tributary Whitewater Tours was founded by Dan Buckley in 1978. He wanted to share the excitement, wonder, and natural beauty that rivers have to offer with others. Since then he has been an integral player in the development of Whitewater Rafting in California.

In March of 2018 Dan sold the company to a young river guide who holds similar aspirations. Jeremiah Copper purchased not only Tributary Whitewater Tours, but also Adventure Connection (who had purchased Mariah Wilderness Expeditions in 2017). Combining the 3 companies was no easy task, but we have re-branded as Raft California.

Both Dan and Jeremiah are fathers and have taken their kids on the river before their first birthdays. In the 40+ years of running river trips, we have learned first hand about taking children on the river. Although Tributary offers some of the toughest whitewater in California, we have a deep understanding about family rafting trips.

Jeremiah Copper with his sons Rolla & Ezra (and friend Tao) on the South Fork American River – Summer 2019

We believe that rafting trips bring out the best in people. We feel that people respond to the beauty and challenge of the river, and in doing so, discover the best in themselves. In this hectic world, it becomes even more important to “get away from it all”. Come and experience the the best California has to offer in a way you will never forget. No road can take you where we do, your cell phone may not be able to either! Our trips can take you deep into the splendor of the forests and mountains, just like the tributaries of rivers. Let Raft California show you a better way while you forget about work, traffic, emails, and crowds.

Stay in Touch!

Sign up for our Newsletter and be the first to know about special deals and river news!

  

 

Or Follow us on one of our many Social Media Channels!

Our Amazing Staff:

Our owner and our guides & other staff often spend their vacation time exploring other rivers. Their love for rafting and being on the river is infectious. They share their enthusiasm for the rivers and their knowledge of surrounding environments and ecology on our trips. Raft California prides itself on the excellence of its well-qualified and personable employees. If you are looking to join our team please check out our employment page. 

We were “Green” before it was fashionable:

Tributary has always practiced the reuse, recycle mentality, and Raft California is continuing to progress in ways to protect our environment. Here are many of the efforts we are making to stay green:

  • No single use water bottles – we encourage our guests to bring their own insulated water bottle, if they don’t have one they can purchase one from our store or borrow one from our stash
  • Reusable dishes & utensils – plastic plates and metal utensils are used to all our river trip
  • Digital waivers – we try and avoid printing paper waivers and urge or guests to utilize our online waivers that can be signed prior to your rafting trip
  • Less paper in the office – employee schedules and time cards are digital and we offer direct deposit

Affiliations:

Since its inception in 1978, Tributary has been actively involved in conservation and environmental issues. Our business & professional affiliations and memberships include America Outdoors, California Outdoors, Sierra Business Council and many Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Bureau’s. We support the following organizations and urge our guests to follow and give when you can.

  • Friends of the River (FOR)
  • American River Conservancy
  • Protect American River Canyons
  • Planning and Conservation League
  • American Rivers
  • South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL)

Philanthropy:

We are dedicated to our staff and like to keep their work consistent throughout the season. We are members of numerous conservation and environmental groups. Every season we donate nearly $10,000 in gift certificates for fundraising events hosted by Rotary, Big Brothers & Sisters, Kiwanis, March of Dimes, and many other philanthropic organizations.

California Rafting Permits:

Tributary Whitewater Tours / dba Raft California operates under permits from:

  • Bureau of Land Management (South Fork American River, East Carson and Upper Klamath River)
  • United States Forest Service (Klamath, Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, Tahoe and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests for the North Yuba River, Klamath, Cal. Salmon, Scott River, Upper Sacramento, Burnt Ranch Gorge, Trinity and Truckee River)
  • CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation (Middle, North and South Fork American Rivers)
  • Nevada County (Truckee River)
  • El Dorado County (South Fork American River).

Non-Discrimination:

Tributary Whitewater Tours / dba Raft California is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

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