What to wear:

In summer, beach wear works well as the temps are much warmer and most guests choose to jump out and cool off in the river. We wear helmets on most of our trips and some people find that baseball caps offer further sun protection underneath.

One of the most important aspects of ‘what to wear’ rafting is footwear. All of our guests are required to wear secure shoes. Water shoes/aqua socks, a sturdy sandal with a heel strap, or an old pair of tennis shoes work well for rafting. No flip-flops, crocs, or bare feet are allowed.

Things for Before and After the Trip:

• Sunscreen
• Change of clothes
• If you get cold easily or your trip is in the spring, it is a good idea to bring long underwear and a fleece
• Any medication you may need 
• A gratuity for your guide
• A GREAT ATTITUDE, BE READY TO HAVE SOME FUN!! 

Things for the River:

• Reusable Water bottle
• NO FLIP FLOPS -Sturdy shoes with a heel strap, tennis shoes or aqua socks/water shoes 
• Hat – We wear helmets on our trips, but a baseball style works under the helmet 
• Most people wear a T-shirt and shorts

Our Truckee River meeting location has a general store where hats, shirts, water, sunscreen, and water shoes are for sale if you have left any of these items at home. We look forward to seeing you!

We do not recommend bringing cameras or phones on the river with you as these are commonly lost or damaged. For safety purposes, we do not allow anything in the rafts that cannot be securely attached to the raft itself.  Tahoe Whitewater Tours has a riverside photographer that will capture all of the action as you come through the rapids and are available for purchase on the day of your trip. 

Another frequently asked question is, “What is a good tip for my guide?” Industry standard is anywhere from  15%-20% of the total trip cost factored in with the level of service you feel you received on your adventure. We have the best guides on the river, so every experience is top-notch! 

What to wear for cooler trips:

To stay comfortable in the cooler times on the river, wear as much synthetic (non-cotton) clothing as possible. During springtime and high flows, we recommend that our guests wear a bathing suit or thin layer under the provided wetsuit and splash gear. If you prefer to skip the wetsuit or if you’re worried about colder temps, in addition to your wetsuit, thin Capilene, polypropylene, or wool layers on top and bottom are the best bet along with heavier fleece on the colder days (think layers for skiing).

Please remember that no matter what,  your feet will get wet so we recommend warm, synthetic/wool socks under your footwear on cold days.