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    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?

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    Choose By TRip Area

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

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  • 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.

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    Contact us.

    • 800-672-3846
    • Contact Us
    • 6500 CA-49 Lotus, CA 95651
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American River Rafting trips

California’s #1 white water rafting destination.

Class 2 American River Rafting Trips

Fun outdoor rafting trips for kids on the American River
Beginner Rafting Trips for Families | Ages 4+

These rafting trips are ideal for non-swimmers who want some fun and exciting rapids! Overnight trips with camping and meals are available on most rivers making them a great option for youth groups looking for an outdoor experience!

Lotus Run - South Fork American
Lower Middle Fork American River

Class 3 American River Rafting

Beginner / Intermediate| Ages 7+

These rafting trips are great for groups and first time rafters! The South Fork American offers lots of options from half day to overnight adventures. Combo with a day of Wine Tasting or Ropes Course. 

South Fork American River Trips
South Fork American River Rafting

Class 4 American River Rafting

Middle Fork American River Rafting with Raft California
Intermediate/Advanced Rafting Trips  | Ages 14+

Challenging rapids and wilderness canyons. Class 4 American River Rafting trips are fun and exciting. Make it an overnight combo with the South Fork for a Class 3 warm up day 1.

Middle Fork American River
North Fork American River

American River rafting trips for all ages

We offer a wide range of American River whitewater rafting trips located in the Gold Country just east of Sacramento, California but also near Lake Tahoe.

Many of these white water rapid rafting trips are available with guaranteed flows from April through September. These rivers offer something for all levels of ability, experience, and age. Our guides have extensive knowledge and unmatched experience navigating every mile of the American River, ensuring that you and your family experience one of the safest river rafting adventures around.

The easiest American River rafting trips are suitable for children ages 4 and up. Intermediate rafting is perfect for most kids (ages 7-8+) and suitable for non-swimmers and first timers alike. No experience is necessary for those lower difficulty adventures. There are also whitewater rafting trips for the most experienced and for the adventurous first time rafter. Be sure to check on our weekday Family Rafting Specials  where kids raft with discounts of 50% on selected two day trips.

Pick an American River rafting trip from just a few hours or a few days. We also offer Canvas Tents for a little more glamping on the South Fork American. Facilities also include hot showers and flush toilets. We also offer wilderness style rafting trips where we take the gear on the river and pull over at secluded trip locations.

The South Fork American River and Middle Fork American River have the most reliable flows and longest season for whitewater rafting in California. The three forks of the American River (South Fork, Middle Fork and North Fork) are truly an exceptional resource. Whitewater rafting trips are located close to Sacramento, California, Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area. Escape the city into the wilderness. River rafting is one of the greatest adventures you will ever experience. We hope you and your family join us for some memorable whitewater rafting trips on the American River. 

If you have any questions or would like to book about one of our whitewater rafting day trips, give us a call at the phone number above. Also, before booking a day trip, please check our Resources tab at the top of the page. It will help you properly prepare for your water rafting trip along the American River. There’s also our FAQ page that will answer every question and/or concern you may have about your upcoming rafting trip. We look forward to helping you and your family & friends begin the first of many whitewater rafting adventures! We can’t wait to see you out on the American River!

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
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RAFTING NEWS

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

April 3, 2022

Middle Fork American River Rafting Trips – Summer 2022 Update

March 17, 2022

How to Become a River Guide

January 14, 2022

We’re Hiring – Join the Tributary Team in 2022

January 7, 2022

keep calm and paddle on