raftcalifornia

california rafting trips & vacations

CALL TO BOOK | (530) 626-7385

Trips Close to Sacramento and San Francisco

- Now Booking 2025 Rafting Trips! -

Middle Fork American – Run the Famed “Tunnel Chute”

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50% Off Kids on Weekdays

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Whitewater Rafting Trips on the American River

Only 30 Minutes from Sacramento and close to San Francisco

Group Discounts

We Make Group Coordination Easy

Middle Fork American River

Raft the Famed Tunnel Chute

Family Rafting Trips

1/2 Day, 1 Day and Multi-Day trips Starting at Ages 4+

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LET'S GO RAFTING!

We offer more white water rafting trips and experiences in California than any other outfitter and harness over 40 years of rafting experience on the American River!

Join us on one of our spectacular white water rafting adventures & we will show you the magic the river has to offer!

Join us for a premier American River white water rafting adventure! The South, Middle and North Forks of the American River offer a wide variety of rafting options for all ages and skill levels. We have something for everyone including large groups! Camping is also available at our private South Fork American River Campground in Lotus, CA.

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As one of the first California rafting companies to offer a special series of family rafting experiences, these trips are designed to bring the whole family together on the river! These trips feature time together in the outdoors, sharing the thrills of the river, meals, campfires, and sleeping out under the stars.

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Whitewater rafting trips are the perfect medium for building teamwork and camaraderie for you and your group. Working with our team of highly trained guides, or even in conjunction with your own facilitator, we can help you develop a trip custom tailored to fit your needs, while rafting the best rapids in California.

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Lotus, CA
/ Half Day
/ Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)

South Fork American River – ½ Day PM Gorge Rafting Trip

Half Day Afternoon Adventure!

starting at
$99
- TRIP DETAILS -
Auburn, CA
/ 1 Day
/ Full Spice: Advanced (Class IV)

North Fork American River - 1 Day Rafting Trip

Class 4 Spring Action! Swimming skills required.

starting at
$149
- TRIP DETAILS -
Lotus, CA
/ Half Day
/ Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)

South Fork American Discovery Run - short 1/2 day

Perfect for Young Kids!

starting at
$79
- TRIP DETAILS -
Lotus, CA
/ 2 Day
/ Full Spice: Advanced (Class IV)

Middle Fork American River - 2 Day Wilderness Rafting Trip

Class 4 Secluded Wilderness

starting at
$369
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VIEW ALL TRIPS!

OVER 40 YEARS OF CALIFORNIA RAFTING EXPERIENCE

Raft California is a collaboration of some of the original white water rafting companies in California. Our company is a combination of some legendary white water outfitters and boaters. Originally 3 different companies; Adventure Connection, Tributary Whitewater Tours and Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, we are committed to providing amazing experiences, family vacations, team building events, bachelor/bachelorette party celebrations, reunions and special events.

CHOOSE FROM OUR EVER GROWING LIST OF RIVERS!

OVER 20 RIVER RAFTING TRIPS TO CHOOSE FROM — From 1/2 day trips to mulit-day wilderness adventures we have an American River rafting trip for you! We have California white water rafting trips perfect for all ages (4+) as well as large groups, and adrenaline junkies!

Can’t quite find what you are looking for on the American River? Check out our parent company, Tributary Whitewater, for trips on rivers throughout the west coast including the Rogue River and Snake Rivers. 

CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE RIVERS

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Jess
I recently went on my second trip with Raft California for a 2-day trip with my coworkers. Some of us decided to step it up a notch and did the South Fork/Middle Fork American River combo to try our hand at the class 4 rapids on the second day. We had a complete blast with Ryan and Shelby (I got a chance to experience both when I fell out of Ryan's raft and got picked up by Shelby!). Even though it was near 100 every day, it was really comfortable on the river. I felt totally safe the entire time (even floundering around in the water when I fell out), enjoyed all the food, and am looking forward to going back next year.
James
The folks at Raft California do it right! Very professional and fun! The guides are true masters of their crafts! Shout out to Liz who guided us on the south fork American. It was my wife’s first time she loved it so much she booked another trip with the whole family! This time we had Anna she was a great guide!
Savannah
Loved it. We did the South Fork American River Full Day and it was such an amazing experience. If you have a good guide then it makes the trip that much more memorable. Casey did a great job and is highly skilled. 10 stars for Casey!
Paul
Had an excellent time. This was my first WWR experience and I was very thankful that we got Dan (Danimal) as our guide. Very experienced and knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. He expertly navigated each rapid and we made it through without any incidents. As a first time rafter, having an expert like Dan set me at ease and made the experience very enjoyable. Good experience from start to finish. All of the staff members and guides seemed to be kind and knowledgeable.
Megan
Super people and a super day. They had great gear, an incredible guide and paid great attention to small details that really set this outfit above the any other we've rafted with in the past.
READ MORE REVIEWS

CALIFORNIA RIVER RAFTING NEAR ME

Wondering “where is the closest white water rafting near me?” Here are our California Rafting Location Guides to help!

RAFTING NEAR

American River

RAFTING NEAR

Gold Country

RAFTING NEAR

San Francisco Bay Area

RAFTING NEAR

Tahoe/Reno

RAFTING NEAR

Northern California

RAFTING NEAR

Sacramento

OTHER RAFTING TRIPS YOU'LL LOVE

From our Parent River Company, Tributary Whitewater

Snake River / Hells Canyon Rafting

The Deepest River Gorge in North America, on the Idaho / Oregon border
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Rogue River Rafting

Lush green forest canyon in the Pacific Northwest
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Owyhee River Rafting

Multiple Naturally Fed Hot Springs to Soak in on the 4-Day Trip
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Lake Tahoe River Rafting

Raft the Truckee River near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Learn More
Get In Touch
(530) 626-7385
Tributary Whitewater
Incredible River Experiences

We launch trips on many different rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. For questions give our main office a call – we would love to talk with you about our trips and rivers.

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the Rivers we run

Our vision is to create a sustainable and equitable reality where our rivers are enjoyed and protected, a place where families and friends can be inspired and challenged.

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running rivers since we were first founded in 1978. Since we opened 40+ years ago we have expanded to include Adventure Connection, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, High Desert River Outfitters, Canyon Outfitters and are the parent company of Raft California and Raft Oregon. While some things have changed over the years, Tributary remains a family-run small business with the same passion for the river and the mission of leading others to experience it.

 © 2022, Tributary Whitewater LLC, All Rights Reserved

Tributary Whitewater Tours is a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service, the CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Nevada County, El Dorado County and Bureau of Land Management. Tributary Whitewater Tours is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.