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Get Outdoors
Lake Tahoe rafting – 8 great rivers within 3 hours of Tahoe
By Wendy Lautner |
Tahoe.com
The high-alpine scenery of the East Carson River makes it a great rafting trip from the Lake Tahoe area.
What you should know about these 8 great rivers
North Fork of the American River, Chamberlain Falls Section
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Length of section: 9 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV
• Season: April – May (sometimes June)
• Outfitters Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $118 per person and up
East Fork Carson River, Markleeville to Minden
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 40 minutes
• Length of section: 21 miles
• Class of rapids: Class I-II
• Season: April – May (very short season, snowmelt dependent)
• Outfitters Contact: Great Basin Sports, (775) 450-3446
• Price: $110 per person and up
Lower North Yuba River, Maytag Section
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 2 hours, 22 minutes
• Length of section: 8-10 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV-V
• Season: April – June
• Outfitters' Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $128 per person and up
Upper North Yuba River, Moss Canyon and Rossasco Ravine
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 2 hours, 22 minutes
• Length of section: 8-10 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV-V
• Season: April – May
• Outfitters Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $154 per person and up
Upper Truckee River, Tahoe City to River Ranch
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 0 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 55 minutes
• Length of section: 3 miles
• Class of rapids Class I-II
• Season: June – September (water levels permitting)
• Outfitters' Contact: Truckee River Raft Company, 530-583-0123
• Price: $35 per raft
Truckee River, Boca to Floriston
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Length of section: 7 miles
• Class of rapids: Class III+
• Season: May – September
• Outfitters' Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846 and Tahoe Whitewater Tours, 530-581-2441
• Price: $69 and up
Middle Fork of the American River
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 22 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Length of section: 16.5 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV
• Season: April – Sept. 21
• Outfitters' Contact: Numerous outfitters, click here for more information
• Price: Starting at around $109
South Fork of the American River
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 51 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 23 minutes
• Length of section: 21 mile full river, 10.5 mile upper and 11 mile lower sections
• Class of rapids: Class III
• Season: Year-round, weekends only Sept. - Feb.
• Outfitters' Contact: Numerous outfitters, click here for more information
• Price: Starting at around $79
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Length of section: 9 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV
• Season: April – May (sometimes June)
• Outfitters Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $118 per person and up
East Fork Carson River, Markleeville to Minden
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 40 minutes
• Length of section: 21 miles
• Class of rapids: Class I-II
• Season: April – May (very short season, snowmelt dependent)
• Outfitters Contact: Great Basin Sports, (775) 450-3446
• Price: $110 per person and up
Lower North Yuba River, Maytag Section
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 2 hours, 22 minutes
• Length of section: 8-10 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV-V
• Season: April – June
• Outfitters' Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $128 per person and up
Upper North Yuba River, Moss Canyon and Rossasco Ravine
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 2 hours, 22 minutes
• Length of section: 8-10 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV-V
• Season: April – May
• Outfitters Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846
• Price: $154 per person and up
Upper Truckee River, Tahoe City to River Ranch
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 0 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 55 minutes
• Length of section: 3 miles
• Class of rapids Class I-II
• Season: June – September (water levels permitting)
• Outfitters' Contact: Truckee River Raft Company, 530-583-0123
• Price: $35 per raft
Truckee River, Boca to Floriston
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 30 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Length of section: 7 miles
• Class of rapids: Class III+
• Season: May – September
• Outfitters' Contact: Tributary Whitewater Tours, (800) 672-3846 and Tahoe Whitewater Tours, 530-581-2441
• Price: $69 and up
Middle Fork of the American River
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 22 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Length of section: 16.5 miles
• Class of rapids: Class IV
• Season: April – Sept. 21
• Outfitters' Contact: Numerous outfitters, click here for more information
• Price: Starting at around $109
South Fork of the American River
• Travel distance from North Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 51 minutes
• Travel distance from South Lake Tahoe: 1 hour, 23 minutes
• Length of section: 21 mile full river, 10.5 mile upper and 11 mile lower sections
• Class of rapids: Class III
• Season: Year-round, weekends only Sept. - Feb.
• Outfitters' Contact: Numerous outfitters, click here for more information
• Price: Starting at around $79
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As the Sierras shed their winter blankets, rivers swell and options abound for rafting trips from the Lake Tahoe area. Check out these eight great reasons to get wet this spring and summer.
Spring Flings
North Fork of the American River, Chamberlain Falls Section
Originating from Granite Chief Wilderness, the North Fork of the American is the melting pot of Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley ski resorts. This aquamarine, free-flowing river features plenty of fun, Class IV, pool-drop rapids in a beautiful, densely forested canyon. Each week there’s a new wildflower or fragrant tree in bloom, but rafters have to hurry to catch this gem before the snow melts completely.
Spring Flings
North Fork of the American River, Chamberlain Falls Section
Originating from Granite Chief Wilderness, the North Fork of the American is the melting pot of Sugar Bowl and Squaw Valley ski resorts. This aquamarine, free-flowing river features plenty of fun, Class IV, pool-drop rapids in a beautiful, densely forested canyon. Each week there’s a new wildflower or fragrant tree in bloom, but rafters have to hurry to catch this gem before the snow melts completely.
East Carson River
The 21-mile stretch of this high-alpine rambling river makes a great two-day family trip. Starting from Hangman’s Bridge just outside of Markleeville, the East Carson’s chocolate waters cut quickly and smoothly through the Toiyabe National Forest and provide excellent views of snowcapped peaks along the way. No doubt the trip highlight is a collection of hot springs about half way through before the river gives way to high desert, giant Cottonwoods and volcanic rock formations.
Lower North Yuba River, Maytag Section
The North Yuba and its many sections offer springtime rafters a Mecca of opportunities. Just south of Downieville, the popular Maytag Class V rapids gets the heart pounding and whitewater thrills don’t let up until take-out. An optional Class IV wilderness rafting add-on is available upon request and water levels permitting.
North Yuba River
Above Goodyear’s Bar the North Yuba River features a couple of demanding, technical and thrilling sections. Rafters ride through Moss Canyon and the notoriously gnarly Rossasco Ravine before taking out at the put-in to the Maytag section. A variety of trip combinations and discounts are available.
Summer Specials
Upper Truckee River, Tahoe City to River Ranch
When the mercury rises in the mountains, floaters flock to the Upper Truckee River released from Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City. This lazy section of river meanders slowly along Highway 89. Once known as “the place to booze cruise” Fourth of July floaters might have to wait until taking out at River Ranch before “cracking a cold one.” Alcohol is permitted during non-holiday periods. Raft rental is available in Tahoe City, this section is usually not commercially guided.
Truckee River Rafting
Catch one of two express trips (morning and afternoon options) departing daily through the summer on this section of the Truckee River which begins northeast of the town of Truckee. Highlights include Jaws and Bronco rapids near the end of the section.
Middle Fork of the American River
With just a little bit of driving, Lake Tahoe visitors can access great Class 4 rapids on a remote river canyon deep into the heat of the summer months. Just outside of Auburn, in Foresthill, rafters ride the dam-released waters of the Middle Fork of the American through the summer. This long day of rafting features unforgettable drops like the Tunnel Chute, Kanucka, Chunder and Texas Chainsaw.
South Fork of the American River
Coloma, on historic Highway 49, is the heart of California Gold Country and also the heart of California rafting country. An upper and lower section on the South Fork of the American River provides rafters with a variety of fun and exhilarating rapids. Hundreds of outfitters run trips from Coloma and offer everything from half-days to overnight trips. Season runs daily through the summer, weekends only starting in September.
Kids' special
Want to take the kids rafting but they're not big enough to hit the real rapids? Take them a mellow float down the Lower Middle Fork of the American. Find more details here!
Making the trip to Lake Tahoe? Find your perfect home away from home for the ultimate in vacation relaxation - a Lake Tahoe vacation rental here.
Comment below for a chance to win! Top
Want to know more about our commenting contest? Click here for details.
Want to take the kids rafting but they're not big enough to hit the real rapids? Take them a mellow float down the Lower Middle Fork of the American. Find more details here!
Making the trip to Lake Tahoe? Find your perfect home away from home for the ultimate in vacation relaxation - a Lake Tahoe vacation rental here.
Comment below for a chance to win! Top
Want to know more about our commenting contest? Click here for details.
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