More Truckee River Trips

Truckee River - 1/2 Day Rafting Trip

Truckee, CA /

PRICES STARTING AT
Weekdays
  • $99 – adults (ages 14+)
  • $89 – kids (ages 10-13)
Weekends
  • $99 – adults (ages 14+)
  • $89 – kids (ages 10-13)

Rafting in Truckee, near North Lake Tahoe!

Our trips are often available when the raft rentals in Tahoe City are closed, which was the case in the summer of 2023. 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).

About Whitewater Rafting the Truckee River

Our Truckee River rafting trips are a guided whitewater trip featuring Class 2-3+ rapids suitable for ages 10+ and non swimmers. In peak season we run 2 trips a day, 1 in the morning and another in the afternoon. Trips usually start mid-May and run thru the 3rd week of September. The Truckee River Rafting trips on the Boca to Floriston run offer peak summer rafting with guaranteed flows! In high snowpack years, trips on the Verdi section are also available during the snowmelt/spring season. This is a must do for visiting Lake Tahoe. Trips do fill within 2-3 weeks so be sure to book well in advance.

We meet at the Truckee River RV Park, located off I-80 in North Lake Tahoe. It is an easy day trip from Reno, Carson City and many Lake Tahoe Locations including Incline Village, Kings Beach & South Lake Tahoe.

2023 Rafting Trips:

The 2023 season is bringing back the Verdi Run! This season Tributary will be running trips on the Verdi section in the spring and Boca section in the summer when flows are within our “normal” cfs range. There is a lot of snowpack in the Sierra Mountains, which means that snow is going to melt and raise the Truckee River (along with all other rivers like the North Yuba and American) when the weather gets warmer.

Spring/Early Summer Verdi Section Rafting Trips:

The Verdi section on the Truckee River is not always available, and is a rare an often sought after river trip. This unique experience takes you from Crystal Peak Park to Mayberry Park on the Truckee River. Most of the trip is mellow with some Class II rapids along the way, with some big drops over fish flow as you meander thru the High Sierra desert, with cottonwoods lining the banks. Several miles downstream you will encounter a series of Class 3+ rapids going over fish flow dams.

Summer Boca Section Rafting Trips:

This Truckee River rafting trip will start with several fun Class 2-2+ rapids as you meander thru the High Sierra desert, with cottonwoods lining the banks. Several miles downstream you will encounter a series of Class 3+ rapids including Jaws & Bronco!

For all Truckee River Trips:

Professional photographers are typically located at these big rapids to capture your images as you come thru! These are available for purchase/view online after your trip.

Raft capacity is 5-6 depending on flow. For Class 3 trips suitable for younger kids or if you have a group of 6-8 you really don’t want to split into 2 rafts, then consider a drive to the American River.

This is NOT the raft rentals out of Tahoe City, which is a mellower self-guided float trip.

Trip Information

  • Great for families, groups, and first timers
  • All summer long! From Mid-May thru the end of September
  • Exciting rapids
  • Convenient meeting location in Truckee, California
  • Boca run and Verdi run (section will depend on flows
  • Unique scenery of volcanic canyon, craggy eroded cliffs formed by ancient lava flows from Mt. Pluto.
  • Arrive at the Truckee River RV Park
  • Meet and greet your guides and load the shuttle for a quick ride to the put in
  • At put in you will be outfitted with PFD, helmet and paddle, and a safety talk will be given before you get on the river
  • Rafting!
  • Class 2-2+ rapids like Wake Up (AKA Menace Rapid), Airplane Turn and Railroad Rapid (AKA Lower & Upper Rock Garden)
  • Last mile drops into the Floriston Gorge starting with the Class 3+ Jaws rapid. Just around the corner the river drops into a long boulder garden called Pinball Machine. This is followed by the Class 3+ Bronco Ledge and Lower Bronco.
  • At take out the guides load the equipment and we shuttle you back to the meeting location!

Coming Soon!

  • Kids ages 10 and up
  • non-swimmers
  • first time rafters

Included with this trip:

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Shuttle to/from the Truckee RV Park

Required Items:

  • Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle (filled with ice water)
  • shoes (no flip flops)

Suggested Items:

  • sunglasses (with a strap)
  • baseball hat
  • sunscreen
  • Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink)

DO NOT BRING:

  • Wallets
  • Expensive jewelry
  • Pets

Directions

Meeting Location:

Tributary – Truckee Outpost @ the Truckee River RV Park
10068 Hirschdale Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours from South Lake Tahoe, 30 minutes from Reno and 10 minutes from Truckee.