• 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.

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    This season, skip the stuff... gift the gift of rafting.

    OFFICIAL
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    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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What To Bring Whitewater Rafting

Welcome! We are so excited for you to come and experience one of our amazing river trips! We want everyone to be prepared and know what to expect. Here are some tips on What to Bring, and What NOT to Bring on your white water rafting trip with Raft California!
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Raft California will provide the following gear/items for all our rafting trips:

PFD

Personal Floatation Device/Life-Jacket

Paddles

Don't want to be up a creek without one...

HELMET

So seagulls don't poke you in the coconut!

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Flip Flops

We recommend river sandles or old tennis shoes

No Pets

Unfortunately claws and rafts don't mix

VALUABLES

If you don't want to lose it, don't take it down the river

*A note on cameras and valuables

We urge you to leave your valuables at home. If you wish to bring a camera, please provide a case (preferably waterproof). However, it will not be possible to photograph during rapids.

On our Truckee, Trinity, South Fork American, and Middle Fork American River trip – Professional photographers are positioned along the banks taking photos of us running the rapids. These photos are available for sale at the end of the trip and the companies are in no way associated with Raft California. We do have links directly to their websites. 

Extra money may be needed for meals en route to and from you trip, for souvenir T-shirts and photographs or a guide tip.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

River attire is very casual and you should expect to get wet and dress accordingly. Quick-dry clothing is recommended. Anything cotton gets wet stays wet and does not keep you warm. Following this list will assure you a comfortable and well-prepared trip.

Please remember to tip your guide at the end of your rafting trip! If you forgot to bring cash, just contact our office to use a credit card. Some locations can provide credit card tip processing on a tablet.

  • Watter Bottle for Every Person Rafting
  • Swimsuit or Shorts
  • Tennis shoes or river sandals (Tevas, Chaco’s, Keens…NO FLIP FLOPS)
  • Sunhat or Visor
  • UVF Sunshirt
  • Nylon Windbreaker
  • Head strap for eyeglasses
  • Waterproof Sunscreen
  • Towel, dry clothes and shoes for wearing around camp
  • Extra pair of glasses (Optional)
  • Guide Tips!
  • Items with a Check are available for purchase at our South Fork American River camp store! You can pre-purchase items from our Online Store, please contact us if your trip is within 3 days of your online purchase.
OVERNIGHT GEAR LIST
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad 
  • Pillow 
  • Tent – optional 
  • Ground cloth
  • Flashlight w/ extra batteries
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal toiletries
  • Light jacket/sweater
  • Long pants
  • Dry shoes or sandals
  • Towel/Washcloth
  • Fishing gear/license – optional
  • Spirits (in moderation) – optional
  • Musical instrument – optional
  • Camp Chair – optional
2 Day Wilderness Rafting Trip Notes

These notes pertain to only our Wilderness Rafting Trips – those include the 2 Day Middle Fork American River Trip, 3 Day Lower Klamath River Trip & 2 Day East Fork Carson River Trip.

We include:

  • Dry Bags for your personal gear (we suggest putting in a duffel bag for easy packing)
  • 2 person tent (we include a 2 person tent for every 2 people on the trip)
  • Sleeping Pad (not a bag)
 
Please bring with you:
  • Your own sleeping bag 
  • Pillow, teddy bear etc
  • Refer to the Overnight Gear List above as well
Recommended Spring Rafting Attire

We recommend cool weather clothing (as a precaution) for the months of April, May, and October and for days anytime during the season where rain or cool weather is a possibility. Please avoid wearing cotton since once wet this will just make you cold and wear quick drying materials such as poly-pro. We recommend that you bring the following attire for cold weather white water rafting:

 
  • Wetsuit & Splash Jacket (rent) OR DrySuit
  • Lightweight cap that covers the ears (you will be wearing a helmet so you don’t want anything too bulky)
  • Long Sleeve shirt or sweater
  • Windbreaker
  • Wool Socks
  • Wool gloves

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