Top 5 Spots To Float The Truckee River | Presented By Mountain Hardware Sports

The Truckee River is an amazing recreational resource that runs through the heart of Truckee and many neighboring communities. We’ve compiled this list of our favorite floats.

Before you venture out onto any river be sure to brush up on your River Safety.

1. Tahoe City to River Ranch – This is no hidden gem but it is the most floated section of the Truckee for a reason. Start with breakfast in Tahoe City and end with Lunch at River Ranch. There are sections of mild rapids and long meandering stretches of deep water and sand bars for swimming and relaxing. This is the most family friendly section due to its mild nature and the numerous rafting companies that also service the area. This can easily be done in a raft or tube and you can expect to do it in 3.5 – 4 hours depending on stops and water flow.
2. Boca to Floriston – This is the only other section of the Truckee that is consistently floated by commercial rafting companies. A few companies offer guided trips on this stretch and a guide is highly recommended as this part of the river is much closer to “whitewater” rafting than a casual float. With class 2 and 3 rapids and the infamous “Jaws’ rapid run right as you come into Floriston, this float is good for some thrills. The 3.5 hour trip is suitable for non-swimmers and children over 10 when doing a guided tour. It is not recommended for tubers or self-guided rafts.
3. Regional Park to the Glenshire Bridge – A popular tubing spot for locals, this section offers a bit of everything. You can easily put in at Regional Park and there is plenty of room for parking at the Glenshire Bridge. Just past the 267 overpass you will encounter a set of rapids renowned for dumping tubers. The rest of the float is highlighted by some deep slow sections and many faster shallow sections. Tailbones beware when the water is low! This part of the river is recommended for older kids with life vests and adults who are comfortable in the water and have some general knowledge of river safety. This float can normally be done in around 3 hours.
4. Mayberry Park to Downtown Reno – This first one on the list not in Truckee, this float is the most popular in Reno. It is normally done by tubers or amature rafters and is safe for children with life jackets and adults who are comfortable in the water. Putting in at Mayberry park is easy, with plenty of parking. You will then work your way into Reno. There are numerous fun rapids, some deep holes and plenty of spots to get out and regroup. Best of all, you finish right in Wingfield park in downtown Reno where it is easy to exit and there are restaurants and bars waiting for you. This is best done with someone who has experience floating this section as there is a little spillway just past Dorokstar Park and another one just before Chrissie Caughlin Park that are more easy (and safer) to navigate with experience. This float takes 3.5 – 4.5 hours depending on stops and water flow. For a more family friendly, and shorter float, try putting in at Chrissie Caughlin Park and getting out downtown. This should take closer to 2 hours and offer plenty of fun and great scenery.
5. Glenshire Bridge to Hirschdale – This float is far less trafficked than the rest. It is most commonly done in a tube and has some runs of rapids that are a bit more technical than some of the other tubing spots. A big section of this float is surrounded by private land owned by the San Francisco Fly Casting Club which means you may catch some looks as you pass by and that you should also stay in your tube. However, it also means you are seeing a gorgeous stretch of the river with deep pools and great rapid runs that most people do not get to see. After weaving through the canyon and then passing Boca you will hit a final run of (fairly large) rapids that will drop you at a very deep pool with some rocks you can jump off. The exit at the Hirschdale bridge is just a little ways down from that. This stretch takes around 3 hours and is not recommended for young children or adults without some river experience.

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