Tahoe City · RedAwning

Truckee River RaftingA self-guided 5-mile float from Tahoe City to River Ranch — Lake Tahoe's only outlet river

A 5-mile self-guided raft float on the Truckee River — the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe — from Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City down Highway 89 to the River Ranch Lodge dock at the foot of Alpine Meadows Road. Class I water with five sets of mild rapids, 2–3 hours start to finish, fed by lake-clear water at 65–70°F. Run by two side-by-side family-owned outfitters: Truckee River Rafting (operating since 1973, the "Riverman" with bright yellow flags) and Truckee River Raft Company. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; ages 2 and up; dogs under 50 lbs welcome on leash.

Hours today8:30 AM – 6:00 PMMonday hours
TicketsFrom $70Adult raft seat
LocationTahoe City, California175 W River Road
Official sitetruckeeriverraft.comPlan your visit

5 miFloat distance
2–3 hrsTrip duration
1973Operating since
2 yrsMin age

The Truckee River is the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe — every drop of water that leaves the lake leaves through this channel, beginning under Fanny Bridge in downtown Tahoe City at the Lake Tahoe Dam. The 5-mile rafting stretch from Tahoe City to the River Ranch Lodge has been the marquee summer-day-trip in North Lake Tahoe since the early 1970s, when Truckee River Rafting opened the first commercial concession in 1973 with a fleet of yellow-flagged rafts run by founder Jim "the Riverman" Phelan. A second family-owned outfitter, Truckee River Raft Company, operates next door — both run identical 5-mile floats with the same put-in and takeout, and both charge in the $70-adult / $40-child band.

The float is Class I water — five sets of mild rapids spaced along the run, with the most challenging set right before the River Ranch takeout. Most of the river is waist-deep at 3–4 feet, with a handful of swimming holes that drop to 20 feet. Water temperature holds at 65–70°F all summer, fed straight from the lake. The corridor parallels Highway 89 and the Truckee River Bike Trail the entire way — you'll wave at cyclists from the raft and see them again on the shuttle ride back. Optimal flow is 300 CFS; below 200 the float drags and you'll bump bottom in the meadow stretch, above 400 the rapids stiffen but the trip stays inside Class I.

Plan a 3–4 hour window door-to-door — 30 minutes for parking and check-in, 2–3 hours on the water, 15 minutes for shuttle pickup. Both outfitters include free parking, the return shuttle from River Ranch back to Tahoe City, paddles, and Coast Guard life vests (mandatory for under-12). Soft coolers are welcome — beer and wine permitted except during the 4th of July alcohol ban. The trip ends at the River Ranch Lodge patio, where the post-float nachos-and-beer crowd packs the deck from 1 PM onward all summer. Truckee Tahoe Airport is 20 minutes north on Highway 89; Reno-Tahoe International is 60 minutes east via I-80 and 89.

The 5-mile self-guided float
Launches from the Tahoe City put-in just below Fanny Bridge and the Lake Tahoe Dam, follows the river along Highway 89 through meadow stretches and forested bends, and exits at the River Ranch Lodge pond at the foot of Alpine Meadows Road. Five sets of mild rapids; the last set just before River Ranch is the most challenging. 2–3 hours on water, slightly longer at lower flows.
Truckee River Rafting — "Riverman" outfitter
Family-owned since 1973, the original commercial concession on the river. Look for the bright yellow flags at 175 W River Road, closest to the stoplight in Tahoe City. Kids 2–5 raft free with a paying adult. 4-, 6-, and 8-person commercial-grade rafts; River Grill onsite for post-float dinner; small lockers and waterproof bags for sale at the launch shop.
Truckee River Raft Company
Family-owned operation next door at 185 River Road — adults $70, children $40. Hidden Valley parking lot at 2200 River Rd directly across from River Ranch; their shuttle bus runs you to the launch site, and the takeout shuttle returns 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Only outfitter that exits directly onto the River Ranch patio.
Class I water — family-friendly by design
Five sets of mild Class I ripples, no whitewater. Most of the channel is 3–4 feet deep with a few 20-foot swimming holes for a mid-float dunk. Pregnant women, very young children under 2, and elderly riders are advised against by both outfitters; everyone else paddles. Water holds at a refreshing 65–70°F — straight from the lake.
DIY launch at 64 Acres Trailhead
Public put-in at the 64 Acres Trailhead next to the Tahoe City Transit Center. Free public parking, no reservations. Bring your own inflatable, paddle, and life vest — and arrange your own shuttle back from the River Ranch takeout (the outfitters' return shuttles are reserved for paying customers). The Tahoe City Trolley runs the corridor in summer for $1.75.
Bike-path parallel — the Truckee River Trail
The Truckee River Bike Trail tracks the entire 5-mile float on the south bank, providing emergency exits at half-mile portable-restroom stops and a scenic ride for anyone shuttling cars. Many families combine the float (morning) with a bike ride back the same corridor in the afternoon — bike rentals at the Tahoe City Transit Center.
River Ranch Lodge takeout patio
Both outfitters land rafts at the River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant pond on the right bank. The lodge's outdoor patio overlooks the takeout — nachos, burgers, local IPAs, and Sierra Nevada drafts are the post-float standard, and the deck packs from 1 PM through sunset all summer. Open year-round (the rafting season is Memorial Day → Labor Day).
What to bring (and what to leave)
Soft coolers, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water shoes or flip-flops (footwear is mandatory). Leave behind: glass, styrofoam, metal coolers, personal floaties, valuables you don't want wet. Both outfitters sell waterproof phone bags at the launch desk for $15. Dogs welcome — under 50 lbs, on leash, no extra charge.

Open hours

Operating season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, weather and water-flow permitting (closed in winter and shoulder seasons). Both outfitters check rafters in starting at 8:30 AM. Optimal river flow is 300 CFS — below 200 is slow and groundy, above 400 is swift and the rapids stiffen.

MondayToday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Note · Last shuttle pickup at the River Ranch dock between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM — most rafters launch by 2:30 PM to clear the takeout in time. There is a strict 24-hour cancellation policy at both companies.

Ticket pricing

Per-person admission. Buy in advance to skip the gate line.

Adult raft seat$70Includes raft, paddles, life vest, parking, and return shuttle to Tahoe City
Child raft seat (ages 6–12)$40Same inclusions as adult; life jacket required for under-12
Riverman kids 2–5FreeTruckee River Rafting (yellow-flag outfitter) seats kids 2–5 free with a paying adult
DIY tube launch from 64 AcresFreePublic launch at 64 Acres Trailhead next to the Tahoe City Transit Center; bring your own raft and arrange your own takeout shuttle

Both Tahoe City outfitters charge in the same band ($70 adult / $40 child). Reserve online — peak summer Saturdays sell out by Friday afternoon. Soft coolers only on the river; no styrofoam, glass, or metal containers; alcohol allowed except during the 4th of July river ban. Footwear is mandatory (water shoes best, flip-flops accepted). Each raft is reserved for your party only — 4-, 6-, and 8-person rafts assigned by the outfitter.

Reserve a raft

Where to stay