2026 Multi-Day Rafting Trips Now Available

History & Timeline

Tributary Whitewater Tours

Old photo of a group of people in a rafting boat paddling down a whitewater rapid where the river is flowing over large boulders. Rock walls in the background.
Dan Buckley guiding on the North Fork American River - Class IV Bogus Thunder Rapid – Spring 1984
A rafting boat filled with people is partially submerged in a whitewater rapid. The guide is standing up in the back of the boat. Another rafting boat is behind them on the river.
Jeremiah Copper guiding on the Middle Fork American River - Class IV+ Chunder Rapid - Summer 2020

Running rivers since 1978…

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. This formed one of the largest American River outfitters and we rebranded as RaftCalifornia.com. Over the next few years, Tributary acquired more companies and river permits, including rivers in Oregon & Idaho. The name Raft California was no longer applicable to those locations, thankfully we had kept our official name as Tributary Whitewater and in 2023 have re-branded as our original name. 

 

February 2023
Rogue River Trips Added
A very special addition to our river rafting offerings, in 2023 Tributary began running whitewater trips on the Rogue River. The 4 day, 3 night trips float through the Wild and Scenic section of the Southern Oregon River.
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February 2023
January 2023
New Year - New Tributary!
Tributary comes full circle - after many years of acquiring other companies and river permits, Tributary Whitewater remains strong. Focused on the goal of combining the businesses with a strong brand, Tributary focuses on strengthen its brand and operation across all rivers.
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January 2023
Fall 2022
Snake River Trips Added
Hells Canyon rafting trips on the Snake river added to the list of permits for Tributary Whitewater after purchase of Canyon Outfitters in the fall of 2022.

Canyon Outfitters was founded by George Hauptman in 1980, after his first rafting trip on the Rogue River, he decided that river life was the dream to follow. George met his bride to be, Lynette, on a Rogue River trip. George and Lynette created a partnership and an amazing company, like family with rafting trip on Hells Canyon and more for over 40 years.

In late 2022 Tributary Whitewater acquired Canyon Outfitters, adding the trips personally curated by the Hauptmans to our incredible river experiences. Tributary, and owner Jeremiah Copper, are looking forward to continuing these trips.
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Fall 2022
Fall 2021
New Office in Lotus, CA
In the fall of 2021 Tributary's office was upgraded providing more space for our expanding business - staff and gear. Located in Lotus, it is less then 5 miles away from our private American River campground.
Fall 2021
Jan 2021
Raftoregon.com Addition
In early 2021 High Desert Outfitters, based in Oregon, was purchased by Tributary Whitewater allowing for rafting on the Deschutes, Oywhee and North Santiam Rivers.

High Desert River Outfitters was a well-trusted and family-owned rafting outfit since 1990. The dream was started by brothers Gary and Larry out of Portland, Oregon. During the summers, they would spend their weekends in Maupin, OR guiding rafts and excited clients down the Deschutes River. Throughout the decades High Desert River Outfitters has held permits and ran trips on many rivers including the Rogue, Owyhee, Deschutes, McKenzie, North Santiam and more.
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Jan 2021
March 2018
Adventure Connection & Tributary Merge to Form RaftCalifornia.com
One epic merger - In the spring of 2018 Adventure Connection rafting company and Tributary Whitewater merge to form RaftCalifornia.com (a dba of Tributary Whitewater Tours LLC). This formed one of the largest American River outfitters and resulted in rebranding to RaftCalifornia.com.
March 2018
March 2018
Tributary New Ownership
In March of 2018 the founder of Tributary, Dan Buckley, sold the company to Jeremiah Copper, a young river guide, father, and entrepreneur with similar aspirations.
March 2018
May 1978
First Commercial North Yuba River Rafting Trip
After pioneering rafting trips on the North Yuba, Tributary owner, Dan Buckley, runs his first commercial white water rafting trip on the North Yuba River as Tributary Whitewater.
May 1978