Truckee River

Truckee, CA /

Class 2-3+

Rafting in Truckee, near North Lake Tahoe!

Half-day Class II-III Rafting Trips on the Truckee River

The Truckee River is open for the 2023 season and conditions are all time! The steady river flows are allowing us to run both the Verdi and Boca sections this year.

Fun, family-friendly river rafting in North Lake Tahoe. Truckee River rafting trips are suitable for non-swimmers and kids.

 

Truckee River - 1/2 Day Rafting Trip

starting at

$89

TRIP INFO

The Truckee River is Open for Guided Rafting!

Update June 5, 2023: The Truckee River is open and we are running rafting trips! You may have heard that rafting trips on the Truckee near Tahoe City are not running – we are!

Our trips are often available when the raft rentals in Tahoe City are closed, which is the case this summer. Sections of the Truckee River sometimes close near Tahoe City due to high or low water only coming out of Lake Tahoe which effect raft rental companies in that specific area.  Our guided Truckee River rafting trips leave from Truckee which is north of Tahoe City by 20 miles.  We are able to run trips due to different water supplies to the river with our section being supplied from reservoirs and lakes such as (Boca, Donner and Stampede).

Be sure to call us if in doubt, as unfortunately, some seasonal hotel workers are not always so well informed.

Rafting the Truckee River

The Boca and Verdi sections of the Truckee River flow east from Truckee towards Reno. The river travels from the higher elevation pine forests and flows into the High Sierra desert, with cottonwoods lining the banks.

RESERVATIONS ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED on this popular trip, so please book well in advance. During peak season and particularly around July 4th, the afternoon trips can fill up weeks in advance. Space is limited.

Reserve well in advance for and Holidays and Saturday afternoon trips – don’t miss out !

This is NOT the raft rentals out of Tahoe City, which is often not open when we ARE running.

FAQ's

Where does the Truckee River end

The Truckee River ends at the Floriston take out for commercially guided white water rafting trips.

There are also some sections of Truckee River suitable for self guided floats at certain times in the summer.

How long is the Truckee River?

The Truckee River is 7 miles long between the Boca reservoir raft put in and the Floriston take out. There are mainly Class II rapids with a mile of several Class III rapids in the last mile including Bronco and Jaws rapid.

How to float the Truckee River

The best way to float on the Truckee River is with a guided white water rafting professional outfitter. The section from Boca reservoir to Floriston features many technical rock gardens and large Class III rapids towards the end of the run.

There are also some sections of Truckee River suitable for self guided floats at certain times in the summer.

Meeting Location

Truckee River RV Park
10068 Hirschdale Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

There are always roadworks in the Reno and Tahoe area throughout the summer, so PLEASE allow extra time. We suggest coming into the Truckee area for breakfast or lunch so you are in the area ahead of time. The meeting location has an onsite deli open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!