Truckee River: Boca to Floriston Run (Class III Whitewater)

Experience thrilling Class III rapids and serene swimming pools on the Truckee River. Perfect for all rafters. Book your adventure today!

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lake Tahoe (California) - Embark on the ultimate river adventure on the Truckee River’s Boca-Floriston Run, perfect for both novice and experienced rafters! This half-day journey combines technical intermediate rapids, serene swimming pools, and breathtaking views of the Tahoe National Forest.

As the pioneers of commercially guided trips on the Truckee, our unparalleled expertise guarantees an exhilarating experience. The adventure begins with gentle, slow-moving waters through boulder gardens, making it an excellent start for beginners. Then, enjoy expansive, flat swimming areas ideal for cooling off on a warm summer day.

The thrill intensifies as you tackle the rapids, culminating in an exciting finish in the Floriston Gorge. Whether you’re new to whitewater rafting or seeking a thrilling adventure, this tour offers an unforgettable experience for everyone in your group. Join us for an incredible day on our most popular run and create lasting memories on the Truckee River!

  • Truckee - This trip is located just outside the historic town of Truckee, California, a delightful destination celebrated for its rich history and vibrant culture. Truckee has a captivating past, having been pivotal during the California Gold Rush and the building of the transcontinental railroad. Today, its charming downtown area showcases preserved 19th-century buildings, unique boutiques, art galleries, and a variety of dining options that echo its historic legacy. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Truckee provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor adventures, making it the ideal starting point for your memorable rafting experience on the Truckee River.
What's Included
  • Wetsuits and Splash Jackets included with cold weather
  • Price includes PFD, helmet and transportation from meeting place
What's Not Included
  • Price does not include any photography offered by 3rd parties.
Additional Information

The Boca-Floriston Run on the Truckee River offers everything both first-time and seasoned rafters could want! Enjoy technical intermediate rapids, relaxing swimming pools, and the stunning scenery of the Tahoe National Forest.

As the first company to offer commercially guided trips down the Truckee, our unmatched experience ensures an exceptional adventure.

This half-day tour begins at the historic town site of Boca. The run starts with easy rapids through boulder gardens, providing a perfect introduction for first-time rafters. Between the rapids, long flat swimming areas offer a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. The excitement builds with Class III+ rapids, culminating in an exhilarating finish in the Floriston Gorge.

Join us for an amazing day on our most popular run. It’s the perfect adventure for everyone in your group! Experience the best whitewater rafting on the Truckee River in the Lake Tahoe region.

  • Minimum age: 7 years old
  • What to wear:
    • Clothes you are comfortable getting wet in. We recommend a swimsuit or quick-drying shorts/t-shirt.
    • One of the most important aspects of  ‘what to wear’ rafting is footwear. All of our guests are required to wear shoes that strap or tie securely to their feet. Water shoes, a sturdy sandal with a heel strap, or tennis shoes work well for rafting. Flip-flops, crocs, or bare feet are NOT allowed.
  • Whitewater rafting is an active, outdoor, adventure sport.
  • All participants must be in good health and weigh no more than 250 lbs. If anyone in the group is over 250lbs or has any medical conditions, please call (530) 587-5777 to discuss your booking.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(104 Ratings)
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Barranonf
Aug 2, 2024
Amazing family experience! - Amazing experience. Our guide, Adam, was awesome and helpful. My children 8 and 10 had a blast and will be talking about it for a long time. A great family experience- highly recommend and make sure to get the photos as well!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristina_s
Jul 22, 2024
Great family adventure - We had a great time on the river with Tommy. He was a great guide and made us all feel safe while enjoying the rapids.
Review provided by Viator
Kathihanks
Jul 14, 2024
Must do if you’re in the area - We had so much fun. Skylar is an excellent guide and knows so much of the local history and about the wildlife I learned a lot as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vanessa_v
Jul 11, 2024
Our guide Adam was... - Our guide Adam was incredible! His knowledge of the river is unmatched and he gave perfect instructions for us to conquer the river! Add in the beautiful landscape and some great rapids and it was a perfect trip! I would definitely recommend this adventure to anyone looking for a good time!
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_r
Jul 10, 2024
Breathtaking experience - WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! - The weather and scenery couldn't have been better. This was a well-organized and well-run tour. The guides all looked out for each other, and you could tell they liked their job and each other. Hats off to Kai B who as a great guide, very knowledgeable and instructed us on what was about to happen. He knows the area and the history of Truckee well. Would definitely do this trip again. Spend the extra $70 on the pictures! They have a professional photographer who follows the groups around and he took some incredible shots. This tour was well worth every penny and then some.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_c
Jul 9, 2024
Wonderful Family Activity - Wonderful! The team of people running this company looks out for each other and their guests incredibly well. I’m so grateful for their thoughtfulness and priority to ensure a safe, fun time for families. It was our (me, my younger sister, and my younger brother, ages 13 year old to 22 year old) first time whitewater rafting. It sets in motion for many more to come! We want to give a special shoutout to our guide Nate. We rode class I to class III rapids and Nate was an excellent guide. The guides are prepared for spins, falls, bumps, and splashes no matter how big or small. You’ll learn about the history of the river and get to see so many surprising, epic sights. There are moments to catch a breath in midst of the fun. There’s an option to buy photos taken by a professional - TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. It’s an additional about $70, yet worth the great shots that are taken.
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_h
Jul 31, 2024
First timers - It was mine and the rest of my party’s first time water rafting and it was a lot of fun! It was great that there were opportunities to jump into the water at the safest spots when it was just a lazy river. Our tour guide was great and definitely kept us prepared for the whitewaters. It was unfortunate though that they couldn’t sit my party all in one raft so we did have to separate.
Review provided by Viator
Ronald_b
Aug 1, 2024
Couldn’t find the place,... - Couldn’t find the place, Mapquest took us to the wrong location. Finally found it, the sign for the business was about the size of a vehicle license plate. Parked our car, we saw two business but still couldn’t find the location. Walked up a driveway and found a trailer park then slightly off to the left I saw a booth made out of wood. Not sure if they had an actual physical address. The bus to go to the river was still there..but they wouldn’t let us go. They said we were too late. Drove an hour and a half to get there just to end up losing my money ($300). The worker was argumentative and rude, she said I should have went to my email and clicked a link for directions, but they never sent me an email (booked on viator), only a text message (no link) She also said we couldn’t reschedule or get our money back, but then later agreed to reschedule us for $75 for the next day, but we had other plans. I would take my business elsewhere, terrible experience.
Review provided by Viator
Waylon120
Jul 30, 2024
Brink of Death - We went on the Truckee river raft with another couple. We were told that it was very safe and if we did get thrown from the raft, float on our back with our legs up and the guides would either throw a rope or extend an oar for us to be pulled to safety or swim towards the bank of the river. The staff also told us to be part of our rescue. Well on the last section of the river called the "Pin Ball", our raft dropped about 10 feet straight into the river. Our friend Rick was ejected straight into a giant boulder (head first) and found himself completely underwater and going down the river. The other three of us were being dragged down the river, hitting every giant boulder possible. At one point our raft came in front of my husband and we grabbed on for dear life. We were being tossed as if we were in a washing machine filled WITH ROCKS AND WATER! As we were going down the river, guides and people kept screaming for us to swim, but the problem was the current was so strong, it was not possible. Take into consideration that my friend Annie is an excellent swimmer and my spouse surfed and was a diver also. It was like horror story us screaming, PLEASE HELP US, WE ARE DROWNING!!!, and nobody (not even the river guides) tried to help us. At one point our raft drifted over to another one so I let go and somehow managed to grab on to another raft with a guide on it. I took a lot of water internally and kept vomiting up water. Finally one guide came up to me and helped me up the stairs to our awaiting bus. Another guide mentioned to us that THEY DID HAVE BANDAGES AT THE OFFICE FOR US IF WE NEEDED THEM!!!! Through this whole time, I didn't know if my husband and friends were still alive. I understand that we did sign a disclaimer that the company was not liable if something did happen to us. BUT I have a few problems with this. 1) In the orientation the staff asked if everyone knew how to swim, if not that would not be a problem. 2) The water was unusually high, so we should have been told that BEFORE we got on the raft 3) My husband height is 6'4 and is 260 pounds. The staff gave him an adult life jacket but it looked like it was for a five year old! We did notice that one of the guides was a large man and he had a TOTALLY DIFFERENT LIFE JACKET ON. You might be asking yourself "where was our guide?" Through the whole time we were being dragged down the river, she was hanging on for dear life also. If you ever value your life or someone you care about, don't do these river rapid trips as they are extremely dangerous and we under estimated the power of water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_p
Jul 29, 2024
Zero experience. Paid $400 for nothing. - It was too cold for the trip (below 50 degree) and the company would not adjust to a later time. We did not go on trip since they could not adjust. I called the company hoping to get the later time along with Viator and no one could help.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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