Rafting on the Truckee River

The Truckee River forms the backbone of the Truckee Meadows watershed. As the sole outlet for pristine Lake Tahoe’s billions of gallons of water, the Truckee River allows a small portion of this much-needed lifeblood to flood into the desert east of the Sierra Nevada rain shadow, making the Reno area a relatively fertile and habitable region compared to the endless sagebrush monocrop that dominates northern Nevada’s flatlands.

The river itself comes out near Tahoe City, where it meanders alongside Highway 89 toward Truckee, then it picks up speed and forms rapids on and off from Boca toward Verdi along Highway 80. As it closes in on Reno, it slows again, widens in parts, still rushing but not quite as rapidly or rockily, before it narrows through downtown Reno and then goes on toward Pyramid Lake and through canals to Lake Lahontan far past Reno.

With a route like this, the Truckee River offers multiple options for rafting, both with outfitters and guides or just on your own in tubes. Below are some guidelines for rafting the river in different locations.

Photo above: Taking a break on a guided river trip with Tahoe Whitewater Tours

Tahoe City to Truckee

The route from Tahoe City to Truckee is arguably the best for low-key rafting, without too much drama but with some speedy sections, a very scenic and quiet route, and several tour guides and outfitters that can help expedite the rafting experience.

Truckee River Rafting and Truckee River Raft are based out of Tahoe City and have similar offerings. They recommend getting tickets in town ahead of time, rather than by the launch sites where parking is limited. 

The trip out of Tahoe City is a relaxing float downstream, perfect for kids and adults who aren’t prepared for heavy-duty whitewater rafting. If you’re vacationing in Tahoe, this is a great family activity.

Photo: The Truckee River near Floriston

Boca to Verdi

If you want something a bit more serious and adventurous, the route from Boca to Verdi is where you’ll want to look. Here there are dramatic rapids, lots of noise and very powerful and stark scenery. But this is not exactly for the faint of heart.

Tahoe Whitewater Tours has several excellent options within this span of the river. The Truckee River from Boca to Verdi is an all-day, ages 13+ only trip that winds through the downhill boulder gardens from Truckee all the way to the outer edges of Reno in Verdi, Nevada. For a slightly shorter option that allows children 7 and older, they offer the Boca to Floriston half-day run, which has intermediate rapids. Tributary Tours and IRIE also offer a similar route.

Photo: The Truckee River through Downtown Reno

Verdi to Reno and Beyond

Heading into the outer edge of Reno by Verdi, there are numerous places to hit the rapids on your own, with your own tubes. Not many companies serve this area, but lots of locals like to set off in this area and drift downstream toward downtown. Most of the time, the river isn’t too crazy, but there are high-flow time periods when extra safety and caution must be exercised. Near Mayberry Park is a great place to park and start, and the Brewer’s Cabinet Production Facility offers free tube top-offs with a pump inside its facilities.

If you want to hop into the water closer to downtown, Sierra Adventures has tube rentals in downtown Reno by the Century Theater. Some people choose to float down from Idlewild Park toward Wingfield Park and beyond or simply hang out in watery areas right around Wingfield Park. Neither area has exceptional rapids, so even your tubes at home should be sufficient. It always has to be said, though, that river flows can be unpredictable, so pay attention to local news and signs, wear a life jacket, and err on the side of caution.

Whether you want to languidly float or hit the rapids, or do something in between, the Truckee River has something for you.