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Tributary Whitewater Tours - Incredible River Experiences Logo

2 Day Rafting Trip
Live Fiddle Music On The River + Soak in Hot Springs

Choose Your River

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  • Location: Markleeville, CA / Lake Tahoe
  • Level: Class II, Easy,
  • Dates: April - May
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  • River Miles: 21 miles
  • Trip Time: 9:00am day 1 – 5:00pm day 2
  • Ability:
  • Meals: 4 included
  • Camping: 1 night included
  • Min Age: 4+ years
Prices Starting At

$389 per person

Pricing Note: Price does not include the fee for your vehicle to be shuttled to take out. For more details click here.
April 25 & 26, 2026
More East Fork Carson River Trips

TRIP OVERVIEW

White Water Rafting, Hot Springs, and Live Fiddle Music Near Lake Tahoe!

Experience the magic of spring rafting near Lake Tahoe with a unique twist: natural hot springs on the river and live fiddle music under the Sierra stars!

Our exclusive 2-day East Fork Carson River rafting trip offers 21 miles of gentle adventure with mellow Class II+ rapids. It’s the perfect multi-day escape for groups, friends, and young families, starting at ages 4+.

What makes this trip unforgettable?

  • Soak & Relax: We camp on a large gravel bar, allowing plenty of room to spread out and enjoy soaking in the natural Carson River hot springs throughout the evening.
  • Live Fireside Fiddler: As the sun sets, be serenaded by the sounds of fiddle player Holly Sternberg Kozan (Fiddlers2), a five-time Nevada State Fiddle Champion and Hall of Fame member.
  • Explore: Enjoy a great hike right from our camp spot, offering fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

This free-flowing spring rafting trip usually provides us with plenty of water for a spectacular run. Note that this river doesn’t run every year (due to water levels), so be sure to grab a spot when this special musical experience is available!

About Fiddlers2

Holly Sternberg Kozan has been playing the fiddle since she was a small child when she discovered her grandmas violin in a closet while playing hide and seek. From that moment on, she knew she wanted to play it. Holly loves all kinds of folk music and now performs a variety of music inspired by the six Celtic Nations, as well as Canadian, Appalachian, and Scandinavian music. Occasionally you can even catch her playing classical music with her quartet.

She has performed across the United States, as well as overseas in Scotland, Norway, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Holly is the five time Nevada State Fiddle Champion and has also won the California Western Open and is a member of the National Old Time Fiddlers Hall of Fame. Holly’s fiery playing breathes life into music – poignant and dynamic, vibrant and spirited. You won’t be able to stop your feet from tapping!

Fiddlers2 Official Website
Check Out Fiddlers2 on Facebook!
Follow Fiddlers2 on IG

Watch on YouTube
Fiddlers2 Frog Set
Fiddlers2 Inspired Set
Ciana Willie Taylor
Ceol A’lainne Video

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

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Soak in natural East Carson River hot springs along the river
  • Live Music by Fiddler Holly Sternberg Kozan (Fiddlers2)
  • Class II waters, prefect for young families, ages starting at 4+
  • Free flowing river, not dam controlled, and only available in the spring. (Rafting this river section is based on water height not available every year.)
  • Close to Lake Tahoe, a perfect experience to add to your Tahoe vacation.
  • High elevation river located in the northern end of the Eastern Sierras
  • Beautiful side hike from camp
  • Fantastic fishing including Lahontan cutthroat trout
  • We are one of two companies that have a permit to raft the East Fork Carson
Fiddlers2_1
A rafting boat floating down the Carson River with red rocks behind it.
Fiddlers2_3
Fiddlers2_2
A hot spring pool next to a calm river in a desert landscape. A group of people are standing on shore in the background next to rafting boats.
Group of people sitting in a hot spring surrounded by rocks and green grass. A calm river and green forest in the background.
A rafting boat on a river with several people in it. Red rocks in the background.
People hanging out around a campfire at night. Forest is lit up underneath stars and the Milky Way.
The nose of a rafting boat points down a river with whitewater waves. Snowy mountains are in the distance.
Two people rafting in a boat with another boat in the background.

River Map

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Itinerary

We meet you at 9:00am at the Carson River Resort in Markleville, CA. We will provide you with dry bags for your overnight gear.
  • Trip prep and orientation @ Hangmans Bridge put-in
  • Rafting!
  • Stop for riverside lunch
  • More rafting!
  • Arrive @ camping location and assist with rafting gear / night prep. We camp at a large gravel bar a short distance from the hot springs where we have room to spread out, good access to the river and we are usually able to have a fire depending on the weather. 
  • Camp set-up, soaking in the Hot Springs and exploration!!
  • Appetizers and drinks followed by a delicious dinner
  • Campfire hangout / more Hot Springs soaking till bedtime.

Day 2 Itinerary

Coffee & Tea available will be available early in the morning
  • Breakfast in camp
  • Pack up / clean up camp…maybe one more dip in the Hot Springs;)
  • Trip prep and orientation (yes you heard it the day before, but it doesn’t hurt to have a refresher!)
  • Rafting!
  • Stop for riverside lunch (sometimes we just head to take out for lunch, depends on what our clients prefer)
  • More rafting!
  • Take out at BLM Boat Ramp near Gardnerville, NV

 

Traveling to the

Where to Meet

Carson River Resort
Markleeville, CA

 

 

Where To Stay

Accommodations are available in the town of Markleville at our meeting point, Carson River Resort.

The Grover Hot Springs State Historic Park is also a great place to stay if you are interested in camping, and is located just out of town.

What Should I Bring

For Rafting

  • Required Items
    • Shoes (no flip flops)
  • Suggested Items
    • Water and reusable water bottle
    • Sunglasses (with a strap)
    • Baseball hat
  • Do Not Bring
    • Cell Phones
    • Wallets
    • Expensive jewelry

For Camping

  • Linens
    • Blankets
    • Pillow
    • Sleeping bag
  • Flashlight/Headlamp
  • Change of clothes
  • Towel

 

Click here for a full detailed list of what to wear and what to bring.

Rafting shuttle coordination included. Additional fees may apply. For more information on trip shuttles click here.

What Does Tributary Provide

Included with Rafting

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft

Included with this Overnight River Rafting Trip

  • Tent
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Cot
  • Camping chair
  • Dry Bag for your gear
  • 1 night camping
  • 4 meals
    • Day 1 –  lunch & dinner
    • Day 2 – breakfast & lunch

From The Blog

From The Blog

An overhead photo of a campsite set up next to a calm river with small whitewater waves. Green trees surround the camp including chairs, a tent and a rafting boat tied to shore.

Hot Springs in Nevada

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Mar 15, 2025
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A campsite next to a river with green rafting boats tied on shore. There are people standing under a pop up tent and chairs set up around a fire pit.

The Best Tahoe Hot Springs

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Mar 15, 2025
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A rafting boat on a river with several people in it. Red rocks in the background.

East Fork Carson River Hot Springs

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