• 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
    • 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
  • 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

    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
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Book Now Pay Later – Free Flowing Spring Trips

CALL TO BOOK | 530.626.7385

Book Now Pay Later

For 2022 Spring Rafting Trips

Since COVID came around in March of 2020 we have been constantly changing how we do business. One positive change was our “Book Now Pay Later” options. When folks were loosing jobs and unsure of travel plans when the pandemic started, we initiated the option for guests to reserve their rafting trips with $0 deposits as trips were not 100% guaranteed. We found this gave people the positivity to plan vacations and think of more “normal” times again.

As we move away from those uncertainties, we still offer a number of white water rafting trips that are still not guaranteed due to flows. Many of our rivers are free-flowing, meaning there is no dam/reservoir feeding the river flows. These free flowing river trips depend on snowpack from the winter and the rate of melt in the spring. Large snowpacks like we saw in 2016 and 2018 were ideal for these river trips, the snow lasted late into the season and springtime temperatures offered a slow melt-off.

These free flowing rivers are often sought after river trips. Maybe your guide suggested the challenging North Fork American River with it’s emerald green waters. Or you’ve been wanting to run a certain section of the North Yuba (Maytag/Goodyears Bar, Moss Canyon, Rossosco Ravine) and just haven’t caught it on the right year. Well we get it, and we get that many of you have already been on the guaranteed options like the South Fork American or Upper Klamath Rivers.

Our Book Now Pay Later payment plan is available for the following river trips:

North Fork American River

1 day North Fork American River Rafting Trip

  • Class 4-4+
  • 11 miles
  • Minimum age is 14+
  • All participants must swim
  • Meets at Crooked Lane Brewing Co. in Auburn, CA
View North Fork American River Trip Dates

North Yuba River

1 & 2 day North Yuba River Rafting Trips

  • Class 4 & 5 runs
  • 9 miles (1 day) / 16+ miles (2 day)
  • Minimum age is 14+
  • All participants must swim
  • Meets in Downieville, CA
View North Fork American River Trip Dates

East Carson River

2 day East Fork Carson River Rafting Trips

  • Class 2-2+
  • 21 miles
  • Min. age 4-8 (this can be a chilly trip)
  • Non-swimmers welcome
  • Meets in Markleeville, CA
  • Please contact us for 2022 trips. As soon as flows permit, our team will be assessing this river trip as there may be changes to the river dynamics after the 2021 Tamarack Fire. We do anticipate running trips in the spring.
View North Fork American River Trip Dates

Kaweah River

1 Day Kaweah River Trip

  • Class 4+
  • 10 miles
  • Minimum age is 14+
  • All participants must swim
  • Meets in Three Rivers, CA
View North Fork American River Trip Dates

We look forward to the upcoming winter months in hopes of lots of snow in the mountains. Not only for the vitality of our rivers, but also to shred some knar!

Ski/Ride the fresh stuff in the winter – Raft/Kayak the flows in the summer!

MORE RAFTING NEWS

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

  Rafting on the South Fork American River The South Fork of the American River

Middle Fork American River Rafting Trips – Summer 2022 Update

Summer Flows on the Middle Fork American River   The Middle Fork American River trips are

How to Become a River Guide

Become a river guide Ah the life of a River Guide – traveling to amazing

We’re Hiring – Join the Tributary Team in 2022

Outdoor Adventure Jobs Entry Level Outdoor Adventure Jobs & Admin Positions Available in California &

Month of Giving – November 2021

Month of Giving 15% of 2022 Rafting Trips & Gift Certificate Sales made in November

SYRCL Donation from 2020 Tributary Employee of the Year

Final Results for the 2021 “Cans for SYRCL” Drive How recycling at Tributary Whitewater Tours

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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Contact Us

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