NOW BOOKING FOR 2021 SEASON! Call to Book: 800-672-3846
  • 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 TRIPS

    OREGON RAFTING TRIPS

    Choose By TRip Area

    • 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!

    Learn More
  • Camping

    RIVERSIDE CAMPING!

    Spice up your rafting adventure with an overnight stay at one of our riverside campgrounds.

    We offer a host of camping options including glamping, tent and RV campsites as well as group sites!

    Explore our Campgrounds

    SOUTH FORK CAMP

    • GLAMPING
    • TENTS
    • RVS
    • GROUPS

    Our home campground in historic Coloma, California. Glamping, Tent Camping and RV's welcome!

    Learn More

    Klamath Wilderness

    • TENTS
    • GROUPS

    Coming Soon. Our newest wilderness rafting basecamp for our upper and lower klamath river trip guests.

    Learn More

    YUBA WILDERNESS

    • TENTS

    Rafting the Yuba? Bring your own tent and gear and sleep beneath the tall pines of Tahoe national forest.

    Learn More
  • Photos

    GET YOUR PHOTOS!

    Did you have an awesome trip? Our action photography partners have your pics ready to go, choose by provider.

    CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO AND PHOTO GALLERY

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  • Resources

    RAFTING RESOURCES

    COVID-19 PREPARATIONS

    Our plans to provide you with a safe, fun adventure

    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
    • marketing@whitewatertours.com
    • 6500 CA-49 Lotus, CA 95651
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East Fork Carson River RAFTING TRIPS

Markleeville, CA – 1 hr south of South Lake Tahoe /

Level: Easy Beginner /

Class 2-2+

  • Minimum Age: 4-5 years old at regular flows
  • Trip Length: 21 miles, 2 days
  • Season: Late April into early July in a big year
  • Elevation: 4900-6000 Ft
  • Trip Pricing: Starting at $339
View Trips
  • View Map
  • Area Info

Spring rafting near South Lake Tahoe!

East Fork Carson River rafting trips are close to South Lake Tahoe and flow east from the Alpine-like mountains of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest into the high Nevada desert. Glimpses of the snow covered peaks are spectacular. This river is a great introduction to California rafting, but it lures veterans back year after year. The unique river-side hot springs are a rare experience. This wilderness section is swift, yet easy going; safe and fun for various levels of experience.

East Fork Carson River rafting trips are free flowing and not dam controlled. The season varies with the snow pack and weather conditions in the spring.

The 10 miles of the East Fork Carson River from Markleeville to the Nevada border, were added to the California Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1988.

We meet for all of these trips in the picturesque old town of Markleeville. Rustic accommodations are available. The Grover Hot Springs State Historic Park is located just out of town. Great camping is available, as well as day use of the springs and meadow hikes. Think about enjoying the local area for a few nights before or after your trip. Alpine County is the least populated county in California, or visit South Lake Tahoe only 34 miles to the north for more recreation and sight-seeing.

Tributary Whitewater Tours operates under permit from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and is an equal opportunity service provider.

Rafting Trips On The East Fork Carson River

East Fork Carson River – 2 day overnight rafting trip

Markleeville, CA /
2 Day
Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)
starting at
$339
- TRIP DETAILS -
Meeting Location

Carson River Resort, 12399 State Highway 89, Markleeville, CA 96120

Location is 3 miles S. of Markleeville

Area Information

Hotels, Motels / Bed & Breakfast

  • Carson River Resort – 2.5 miles S. of Markleeville. Cabins with showers/baths, kitchenettes. RV hookups and tent sites. Our usual meeting location for our trips. (877) 694-2229, (530) 694-2229.
  • Woodfords Inn – At junction of Hwy. 89/88 in Woodfords. (855) 694-2111, (530) 694-2111
  • Creekside Lodge 14820 California 89. 12 rooms, rustic. (530) 694-2411, (866) 802-7335.
  • South Lake Tahoe Hotel Options from kayak.com
  • Sorensen’s – 14255 Hwy. 88, Hope Valley, CA 96120. Located west of Hwy. 89/88 junction in Woodfords, 10 miles from meeting location. Café, sauna. 29 varied cabins, bathrooms, some kitchens & wood stoves. (530) 694-2203 or (800) 423-9949.
  • Alpine County Chamber of Commerce Lodging Category
  • South Lake Tahoe Lodging Options from tahoesouth.com

Cabins / Vacation Rentals

Camping & RV Parks

  • Carson River Resort – 2.5 miles S. of Markleeville. Cabins with showers/baths, kitchenettes. RV hookups and tent sites. Our usual meeting location for our trips. (877) 694-2229, (530) 694-2229.
  • Grover Hot Springs State Park – 4 miles W. of Markleville. 5,900 ft alpine meadow surrounded by 10,000+ ft peaks. Hot springs, pool and hiking trails. 530-694- 2248.
  • Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – Use Carson Ranger District Area. (775) 882-2766.
  • Hope Valley Resort – 14655 Hwy. 88, Hope Valley, CA 96120. Located 4 miles W. of Hwy. 89/88 junction in Woodfords. 7000’ elevation, open end of May. RV & tent sites on West Fork Carson. (800) 423-9949.
  • Alpine County Chamber of Commerce Camping Category
  • South Lake Tahoe Camping Options

Restaurants

Visitor Information

  • Alpine County C.O.C. – (530) 694-2475
  • Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority – (800) AT-TAHOE
  • Carson City Visitors Bureau – (775) 687-7410
  • South Lake Tahoe Visitor Guide

Transportation

Fishing / Biking & Hiking

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

American River Glamping

March 28, 2021

Book Now Pay Later 2021

March 9, 2021

Oregon – here we come!

February 28, 2021

Oregon’s River Democracy Act of 2021

February 6, 2021

keep calm and paddle on