A whitewater rafting trip is the perfect adventure for a weekend with your kids, or the whole extended family! Not only will your family have a blast tackling rapids on some of the most beautiful rivers in the country, you’ll also leave with lasting memories and a stronger bond with your loved ones.
Tributary has a river for every family, whether you are 4 years or 84 years old, a non-swimmer or an open-water triathlete. We have half-day trips for a quick family experience, all the way up to 4-day wilderness rafting and camping adventures for some true bonding time. And, with white water rafting trips near Sacramento, San Francisco, Gold Country, and Lake Tahoe, your whitewater adventure can be combined with many other activities to round out your family vacation.
With so many different rivers to choose from, picking the perfect whitewater rafting adventure for your family may seem like a daunting task.
One of the main considerations when choosing a river for your family adventure is what class rapids are on the river. Whitewater rapids are rated on an international scale, from Class I to Class VI. Tributary runs trips on rivers Class II to Class V, and the youngest or least capable swimmer in your group will determine the level of whitewater you choose. Class II rivers are generally okay for kids ages 4 and up and non-swimmers, whereas Class III is for 7 and up, and Class IV is for ages 14 and up. You always want to err on the side of caution when choosing a class of river– we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience on the river!
The Lower Middle Fork American (Class II, +4 years), South Fork American (Class II +4 years and Class III +7 years), and Truckee River (Class III, +7 years) are our most popular rafting trips for families with kids. If you have a wide range of ages and abilities, we suggest our American River trips, as they offer the most flexibility for groups to base camp together and then split up on different river sections. There are Class II, III, and IV options all in the same area of the American River.
To pick the right river for your family adventure, check out our Choosing Your Rafting Trip Page.
For the best deals on white water rafting trips with children 13 and under, we recommend checking out our Family Special Trips page, featuring our 50% off South Fork American River rafting discount. Kids (ages 4-13) raft for 50% off Monday through Thursday on several rafting trips!
We also offer discounts of up to 20 percent off for groups! Group discounts begin as low as 6 people and apply to any type of group including families, scouts and other youth groups. Pricing will depend on the trip, time of year, and number of participants. For more information on group discounts visit our group rafting page.
Ages 4+| Non-Swimmers Welcome
These beginner rapids are great for first-time rafters and young children. The waves are small, fun, and splashy, and there are usually opportunities to swim, play, and explore the river. These trips are great for multi-generational family adventures.
Ages 7+ | Non-Swimmers Welcome
We call this “Class Fun”! These rafting trips are ideal for non-swimmers who are looking for a little more excitement and adrenaline. Class III trips are great for large groups, and many of our Class III rivers offer overnight, wilderness camping options.
Ages 14+ | Swimming Skills Required
Class IV rapids are big, and these river trips often have big drops and technical turns. We recommend prior Class III rafting experience before kids take on Class IV, but some of our trips may be suitable for adventurous beginners
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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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.
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