The Truckee River begins near Carson Pass and flows into Lake Tahoe, where water is released through a dam at Tahoe City.
Truckee River Rafting: Easy Floats
Most people who raft the Truckee River take the scenic float from Tahoe City to River Ranch. These tips will help you make the most of your day.
- Take your time. The river is beautiful, and you can take all day if you want.
- Wear hats and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
- Practice steering before you get to the rapids.
- We rented our raft from the Truckee River Raft Rentals. They charge for parking across from their office in Tahoe City, but you can park at River Ranch and take their bus for free.
Truckee River Rafting Companies: Easy Floats
Truckee River Rafting: Whitewater
Below River Ranch, you'll find miles of river that are fun for kayakers or small rafters, but the most exciting section starts where the Truckee and Little Truckee Rivers meet below Boca Reservoir, which is mostly Class II and III with one Class IV rapid. The water is liveliest when the snow melts in May and June, but rafting is usually possible until early October. These companies run trips on this part of the river:
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was
provided with a complimentary rafting trip for the purpose of reviewing it. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
