Why Join Us For A Family Rafting Special Trip
- Kids ages 7-17 are 50% off!
- Family rafting vacations are a great adventure for the whole family bring the grandparents!
- Create memories that will last a lifetime!
- Parents get to relax while kids play in camp and our guides prepare all your meals.
- Our guides are the best in the industry and some have kids of their own!
- Great for all types of families
- Better than Disneyland! said a 9 year old on her first river trip
Come join us on one of our family rafting vacations on the American River. These 2 day white water river trips offer a safe and fun way to create wonderful family memories. You do not have to be a serious camper to appreciate an overnight river rafting trip. Tributary specializes in overnight rafting trips, we believe it is the best way to experience a river trip. Our wilderness trips are incredibly special. Bring your own tent and gear for most of these options, you can also rent a Canvas Tent for a glamping experience!
These are not the only trips we offer that are suitable for kids, just the ones that we offer 50% off on weekdays! There are many white water rafting with for kids that are offered all summer long, so be sure to check out all the options. Regular Group Discounts apply to our regular priced trips for groups of 6 or more rafters.
What Our Clients Are Saying
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I enjoyed everything about this experience, the staff was awesome. I’ll be coming back for sure. I’ve already recommended you guys to several people. Thank you guys!
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Our family of four including our teenagers loved the rafting, it was the highlight of our two week holiday. Safety was clearly important and I was impressed but the talk and the seriousness with which it was given. The rapids were great fun, exhilarating and were interspersed with stretches of calm in which you could enjoy the beautiful countryside. Lunch was great too. We just loved it all. Thank you
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The owner greeted us upon our arrival. All of the food was delicious! Our guide, Christian, was fantastic. Friendly, knowledgeable and funny
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We’ve been rafting on the American River for 20+ years and David is definitely at the top of the favorite guide list. All of the guides that day seemed fantastic and we enjoyed every moment of it.
The Salmon River Central Idaho
With white sandy beach camping, warm water and towering canyon walls the Salmon River is a staff favorite at Rivers & Oceans. We say you feel like you are in the Cabo, Mexico version of Idaho! Rafting the Salmon is an absolutely perfect trip for all it has whitewater that is just exciting enough for thrill seekers to paddle, and mellow enough to relax as your float through the largest wilderness in the lower 48 states, the Frank Church River of No Return.
Sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Idaho, it is the second deepest canyon in the lower 48 states. Its warm water, hot springs, historical sites and Native American pictographs make it one of the best six-day trips in the West. Together the Middle Fork and the Salmon River can be rafted 200 miles, making for an incredible 12-day expedition.
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The Perfect Getaway Awaits
The Raft California riverfront campground in Lotus offers Canvas Tent rentals for the perfect American River rafting& camping experience. Located on the South Fork American River our campground has been upgraded during the past 2 winter seasons to offer so many amazing features including:
- NEW showers & restrooms for the 2021 season
- 10 four person canvas tents on private wood platforms
- Camp Store with our sweet swag and grab n go accessories for rafting & camping
- Trails for hiking around
- Games Galore! Giant jenga, ping pong, foosball, cornhole & horseshoes
The Rogue River Southern Oregon
We love rafting the Rogue for its lush scenery, wildlife, and length at four days is the perfect amount of time. The Rogue is know for its wildlife viewing with birds of prey, turtles, otters and black bear. Kids enjoy the warm water for swimming, and hikes to stunning waterfalls and historical properties. This is a great river for all ages, especially families that can enjoy the class III whitewater rafting and kid friendly camping. Getting to the meeting location is a three-hour drive south from Portland or a 6 hour drive from the Bay Area. There is also a local airport in Medford, Oregon.
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Experiences To Change Your Life
Are you looking to escape, relax, recharge, and spend some quality time with your family and friends?
In the new Covid-19 era American Whitewater Expeditions brings the highest personal protection and safety protocols to the rafting industry by going above and beyond the standard State and CDC Guidelines for Covid-19 rafting operations.
American Whitewater Expeditions is the premier whitewater rafting company in California on the American River. We offer fun, relaxing, and thrilling white water rafting trips on the three Forks of the American River for individuals, families, friends, and groups of all sizes. With three different rivers and three levels of adventure to choose from, we can give anyone from ages 6 to 106 an experience that will last a lifetime.
Try something new, step out of your comfort zone and get ready for an absolutely exhilarating experiencerafting on the American River.
The joy of life comes when we encounter new experiences, especially those that are filled with fun and excitement. Go to bed under a million stars and wake up to the smell of crisp fresh mountain air. Spend the day in the sun laughing with friends and family as you paddle down sensational rapids and experience all the delights and thrills of whitewater rafting.
If youve been rafting before and are looking for a safety conscious, friendly, high quality rafting company overflowing with personality and fun, then join us for an experience of a lifetime.
Meeting Place: Raft California 6500 State Highway 49 Lotus Ca 95651
Please note that cell phone reception in our remote area is not guaranteed, although it is getting better. Therefore we suggest you print out the directions or save for offline on your phone.Please be sure to check drive times when booking your rafting trip and allow for additional time on Holidays and weekends.
About Tributary Whitewater
Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running white water rafting trips in Northern California & beyond since 1978. The company was originally founded by Dan Buckley, an integral player in the development of white water rafting in California. Dan Buckleys love to share the excitement, wonder, and natural beauty that rivers have to offer with others lives on with the current owner, Jeremiah Copper.
Tributary continues to be an industry leader in the west coast rafting industry. We offer more rivers than any other outfitter, giving us the ability to accommodate younger kids down to ages 4 . Our team is one a kind, and everyone in our staff, from guides, to drivers, to the folks answering the phones we all have a passion for what we do.
The rivers call to us for different reasons, be that extreme white water, fishing, enjoying nature or just experiencing new things & places. There is magic in every river trip. For some, you may first see a bald eagle in flight for the first time, or maybe conquer your first Class 5 rapid. We are here to help you choose your perfect adventure, for any excitement level.
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What To Bring On Your American River Rafting Trip
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Once you have your awesome crew, the next thing to ask is.
What should I bring on my American River rafting trip?
Whitewater rafting is a fun and exciting sport! Being properly prepared can make sure the day is enjoyable and leaves you fulfilled and happy when you lay down that night, not just tired and sunburned.
Breakfast: The most important meal of the day.One of the most important things to remember is that you will be outside most of the day paddling, laughing, swimming, and hiking all activities that burn loads of calories. Although it is something you will not bring along in a dry bag, having a good breakfast is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for the day.
Sunscreen, everyones best friend:Next in line is plenty of sunscreen. Make sure you get some that is waterproof and high SPF. Even SPF 50 will only cover an eighth of your time in the sun, max! You can also bring SPF lip balm if your lips are prone to getting burned or chapped.
Clothing, be comfortable while having fun:What should I wear is usually high up on the list of questions people ask, and dressing for your day can make the trip a lot more comfortable. Swim trunks and a shirt are a good place to start. The shirt provides protection from the sun and the swim trunks can make sitting on the rubber raft a lot more comfortable. Light long sleeve shirts and pants are available from outdoor retailers and will block the sun without overheating or restricting movement.
Forest Service Closures Halt Rafting Trips On Themiddle Fork American River
Commercial rafting outfitters who hold permits on the Middle Fork American River were handed amazing and and then crippling news to follow.
We were first informed by PCWA that they would be releasing raftable flows from the Oxbow dam 7 days a week starting Monday August 23rd. Since the 2021 season started mid-May, we have been limited to 4 days a week of running trips, with a release of water on Wednesdays & Fridays-Sundays. We were excited to get more days of rafting and possibly some more of our favorite 2 day wilderness trips in before the season ended.
Later that same day the Forest Service announced closures of many National Forest systems including Tahoe National Forest. Outfitters and State Parks worked on getting an exemption for us to use the road to access the put in for the Middle Fork American River unfortunately the exemption was denied.
We are unable to run our Class 4 rafting trips on the Middle Fork American River. Both the 1 day and 2 day trips are highly sough after trip, especially on Holiday Weekends, when folks want to get out and have fun. The closure means no Middle Fork American River trips for Labor Day Weekend.
We will still be running trips on other sections of the American River near Sacramento , Upper Klamath near Medford, Oregon, and the Wild n Scenic Deschutes in Maupin, Oregon.
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American River Rafting Trips
Traveling farther north? Located about 1-hour east of Sacramento, the South Fork and Middle Forks of the American River offer some of Californias most popular rafting trips. Upstream reservoirs provide consistent rafting flows from mid April through mid September. Single day and multi day excursions are available. 1-day trips include lunch, multi-day trips include meals and riverside camping. Need camping gear? No problem, you can rent a package. American River rafting trips are conducted by our esteemed associate outfitter, Raft California.
Colorado River Through Grand Canyon National Park Northern Arizona
The Colorado River is unquestionably on everyones best rafting and camping trips in the world! There is huge whitewater, amazing sandy beaches for camping, and incredible hiking to scenic vistas and lush grottos. The human history of the area is fascinating and the guides are typically well seasoned and knowledgeable. These trips run from 2 to 18-days. The question is which is the best trip and when to go.
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South Fork American River Class 3
Rafting on the South Fork American River is exciting and lots of fun, with many memorable rapids. Its one of the most popular and reliable California Rafting trips. Suitable for adventurous youths from 7-8 years of age. Riverside private camp, hot showers, games.Departures: Selected Mondays & Thursdays
California Family Rafting Special Restrictions:
- 50% off youth rate is applied for every full paying adult on the reservation
- Youth rate above is discounted rate and applies to above listed trips/dates only
- All trips subject to availability
- Group discounts do not apply to these prices
- A 8% Government river use fee is added to the invoice on all rafting trips
About Tributary Whitewater
Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running white water rafting trips in Northern California & beyond since 1978. The company was originally founded by Dan Buckley, an integral player in the development of white water rafting in California. Dan Buckleys love to share the excitement, wonder, and natural beauty that rivers have to offer with others lives on with the current owner, Jeremiah Copper.
Tributary continues to be an industry leader in the west coast rafting industry. We offer more rivers than any other outfitter, giving us the ability to accommodate younger kids down to ages 4 . Our team is one a kind, and everyone in our staff, from guides, to drivers, to the folks answering the phones we all have a passion for what we do.
Get In Touch
Whitewater Rafting Camp On The Banks Of The South Fork Of The American River
The centerpiece of our operation is a 40-acre private base camp on the banks of the South Fork of the American river. The camp features hot showers and flush toilets, and an extensive irrigation system that keeps the camp green and lush throughout the hot summer months. We even have motion sensors in the restrooms and showers that automatically turn the lights on as you approach for those sometimes unavoidable middle of the night visits. Riverside camping facilities for one night are included on all two-day river trips. Camping is available the night prior to, or after your trip. Charter transportation packages include camping the night prior to your trip.
Camp Store
Located at our South Fork of the American River camp, our store is stocked with those often-forgotten items such as sunscreen, lip balm, eyeglass retainers, film, single-use waterproof cameras, sun visors, and inexpensive sunglasses. Also available are a wide selection of hats, t-shirts, sweaters and other souvenirs of your rafting adventure. Most store items can be obtained on all river trips.
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Additional Items For Overnight Trips
On South Fork American overnight trips, we stay at campsites where your car is conveniently parked close to your site and bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets, and electricity make your stay easy and comfortable. Therefore, you can bring as many items as you feel necessary for camping. Your river attire should be packed separately so you can change into it at the Meet Place or put-in.
Packing List
Big Rapids & Wilderness Camping On The American River
Meet Raft California in the heart of Gold Country for a 2 day / 2 night rafting & camping vacation on the Middle Fork American River. The Class 4 action starts early on the first day of rafting as you will encounter the biggest and longest Class 4+ Tunnel Chute. We stop to scout this iconic rapid which was created during the California Gold Rush by miners who blasted thru the river rock in the search for gold. The Tunnel creates a unique experience to guests to raft thru a tunnel .
There is no road access between the put in and the take out so the really great thing about this trip is the beauty and solitude of the canyon no cars, no traffic, no wi-fi and no worries! Well be rowing all your gear down the river and youll get that all-to-rare chance to escape from everyday life. We will take the extra time we have on this 18 mile section of river to explore side creeks to waterfalls and natural wonders. This is a true wilderness adventure!
The minimum age for this journey is 13-14 as we want to make sure everyone is strong enough to paddle the big rapids and will have a fun experience. Rafts can fit up to 6 guests and groups of 8-12 are ideal.
Once you arrive as our guest please know you are now what we consider River Time. This means we try and stick to a schedule, but times are merely a guideline and may not be exact once we start our adventure. Times below may vary, but not much!
The night before your rafting adventure begins:
Directions
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Camping While River Rafting On The American River
Camping while river rafting had been a major drawback for a lot of folks. Just thinking of throwing a sleeping bag on the hard ground and toughing it out for the night, has kept many avoiding this super relaxing and fun experience. For many years now, river trip camping on the American River, has been upgraded to almost a luxury experience. Deluxe outfitter-styled canvas tents located right next to the river on wood decks. Wood beds and pads have changed the face of camping. For instance, Honeymoon Tents with real beds, night stands, and real pillows have entered the scene. These create real options to those who desire that extra level of comfort.
Yampa River Northwestern Colorado/utah
As the last free flowing river in the Colorado River system, rafting the Yampa River is wild and special. Flowing through Dinosaur National Monument like the nearby Lodore, the Yampa sees exciting flows during spring runnoff, particularly in the famous Warm Springs rapid. The campsites on the Yampa are stunning, with lush box elder trees, sandy beaches and surrounded by incredible sandstone walls. Side hikes are a daily optional activity up creeks and to scenic views. This trip meets in Vernal, Utah, giving visitors the option to explore more of Dinosaur National Monument.
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