Pleasant way to beat the heat and stay outside in the fresh air. Easygoing, friendly and informative help, so we could plan and enjoy our day. Will do again next time we're in Redding. read more

North Country Raft Rental - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Redding, California

Lance is a GREAT guy - very easy going and down to earth so I suppose some people may misinterpret things, according to the other posts. But our experience from the beginning to end was extraordinary. And in the beginning, we also called him like 100 times because we kept getting lost but he was patient and directed us back. Gave us advice to pick up snacks for the calm parts of the river - which we were thankful for 2 hours in to the 3 hour rental. Gave us safety guidelines that were also worth knowing about the river- we definitely would of panicked as there are several bends and just keep in mind the first 3 bridges come fast and then the last two take quite some time as we did sign up for the 6 hour tour. It was great! The 3 hour would have been fine. But all together a great way to end our weekend escape. Thanks to Lance and his staff!! ***Thought I had sent this a while ago!! read more

We have been rafting with this company for years, and after this experience we will never be back. Owner/operator was rude and left most of the work to kids who were really just doing their best. All of our party had arrived in time for our 1030a launch, however we waited over an hour to launch. We noticed in about ten minutes that there were bubbles (aka a leak) coming from both sides of the back right D-ring. The river was extremely low and we were given no instructions as to where to keep the boat to not bottom out. Due to having to walk/push the boat over multiple shallow areas, controlling the boat was made more difficult by it going flat and also resulted in the back of the boat getting pulled under and one of us falling out and under the boat. This could have resulted in serious injury if the rafter hadnt had a lot of experience. We arrived 2 1/2 hours later than normal, with at least three of this company's boats significantly far behind us. When we finally arrived at the pull out point, there was no one from the company there to greet us or take care of their gear. After all of this, they then had the audacity to charge a late fee because "he is running a business." His poor organization and customer services turned a fun girl's tradition into a shit show! I suggest you raft the trinity with a reputable company! read more

I am a long time white water rafter as is my daughter; Trinity, upper Sac, Cal Salmon, American and Klamath and this company has no appreciation for the power of water. * This is the most dangerous ,unskilled ,unsupervised company that I have ever seen. There were only two young teenagers who were there to meet you. They did not even know to have you sign the forms, my daughter was the one who told people to sign the forms * They just Literally threw your life jacket at you . There was no safety information given at all I. There was no information about how to wear a life jacket properly to how to pull somebody back into a in a boat. Where the problem areas might be on this low river The equipment was very poor repair so badly that it was leaking from the D rings causing the back of the boat to lose its air and the boat begin to fill with water which then made it very unwieldy. My daughter was thrown out of the boat at the stern at a whirlpool and sucked underneath the boat but because she's experienced she knew how to get a herself out of that and I knew how to get her back in the boat. We got to the end late because there was almost no current and wind came up . lol Lu's they had started us out 1 1/2 late we had no instructions of how the river ran it was very low we weren't told what to watch out for ; gravel bars, where were snags or downed trees. When we got to the end it there was no one there to meet us. And there were several boats behind us I can guarantee you North country raft rentals had no idea how many people were on the river had no idea how many boats they had out and had no idea whether or not they all came back in with the same number of people. Nor did they seem to care This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Someone is going to be killed because of the poor practices , poor training, poor safety measures , poor maintenance and management of this company. You will have a much greater and safer time read more

Great trip down the Sacramento River, hadn't been down it in 25 years. Staff explained pickup point to a tee, about a 4 hr trip from Turtle Bay to Anderson River Park. Highly recommend North Country, nice way to spend a nice sunny day. read more

Visiting Redding this summer and wanted to go rafting. I called a few places. This was the only one that had rafts. We had a great experience!!! It's a mobile business so no store front. They come to you at Turtle Bay. He gave us everything we needed, raft life jackets, paddles. I rented for 4 hours. Kinda a bit too long, but still fun. He picked us up and took us back to our car. I recommend this business. read more

I was up in Redding recently meeting the boyfriend's parents for the first time..I was nervous, a little bit jittery and feeling all the feels. Most people do dinner or lunch when meeting parents for the first time...but his family isn't most people and we went rafting at the Sacramento River. The entire day ended up being so wonderful! The scenery on the Sacramento River is gorgeous, (sundial bridge..so cool!) the guy running the raft business was helpful and very informative. Bf's parents had booked a one day raft rental for 6 people ahead of time online. Only 100$ which is a pretty good deal for 6 people for a full day! We got there early so we could get the lowdown on the river (safety and rafting techniques) We had such a great time out on the water and even stopped to have a picnic! It was a great experience for me (someone with no rafting experience!) and for the bf's fam who frequent North Country Raft throughout the summers. I'm already hoping I get to come back and raft again soon! For first time meeting a significant others family..rafting rules! Thanks north country raft! read more

Visited Redding over Memorial Day weekend and had reserved for Saturday the tandem kayak. Upon arrival, my partner, who had never kayaked a river, was wary of the trip. Lance assured us if we had kayaking experience we'd be fine, however offered us to come along a guide training later that day. We decided to do this, however it began to rain. We asked Lance if we could take it the next day and he let us take it in the morning before another rental. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day with a very quiet river ride. We had a blast and truly appreciated Lance's knowledge and flexibility. At the end, he picked us up and gave us local suggestions of places to explore. Thank you Lance and North Country Raft Rental! read more

I love North Country Raft Rental! I grew up in Redding but now live in the Bay Area. Every time I come visit in the summer I make sure to rent a raft and do a river trip. The Sacramento River is so beautiful and there really is no better way to experience Redding's best asset. The trip feels like an adventure and we usually see some cool wildlife. Get some friends and family together, pack a lunch, beat the heat and enjoy nature! I noticed that some of the other reviews mention the staff being rude. We have never experienced this and we've done tons of trips. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and we've never had a problem with our equipment. They are really busy in the summer and are usually trying to launch several boats on time and make sure everyone understands the river safety (which needs to be taken seriously) so maybe people need to make sure they are on time and listening. We've been there when another group was late to be picked up and the owner had to take us back (rather than make everyone wait on one inconsiderate group) and then make another trip to get them so the $50 late fee makes sense! read more

The rafting itself was great! The directions were easy to follow, it was relaxing and a perfect day. The only reason I don't give 5stars is because the owner was rude. We were unsure where to go when we arrived and were standing by the rafts looking lost and he just stared at us. The nice guy helping with life jackets found us and fitted us for life jackets and told us where to go. When we walked down, he was rude about the fact that we already gave credit card information and were unsure why we had to provide again. Then he didn't make the paperwork clear, we were supposed to get water cannons and didn't. My suggestion, make the communication clear where you need to go to fill out liability information and be more personable. As a customer- it's a good all day thing to do with the family. Bring water and lunch. read more

We had a great time at a great price. We wanted a river excursion in the Redding area for three adults and two kids. The raft rental rate was low enough for me to wonder about what we should expect...but the raft we were on and the people helping us were great. The trip was gorgeous and we didn't have long to wait at the end of the trip. We will definitely go on more trips with this company. read more

Quick and easy to get the rental-just call ahead. These guys have damn near everything you could think.

Had a delightful adventure on the Sacramento River. Put in at Turtle Bay in Redding, did a 4 hr float to Anderson River Park. We experienced several areas with Class One rapids. Very minor. An inexperienced rafter would easily be able to handle the navigation. Most of the time we spent gently floating along. The put in has a minor incline at waters edge, but easy enough to crawl in. The landing point is a very small beach area. Very easy to disembark (your feet will get wet). Then a tiny climb up to grass. On a terraced root area, maybe 10 steps. Restrooms available at put in site and at boat ramp about 1.5 hours down river. A call to the outfitter as you go under the last bridge, has them waiting for you when you arrive. You can bring small cooler with you and eat along the way. Remember to bring a bag for garbage. $100 for a 6 person raft was a great price. I would do this again. read more

This guy has NO customer service. He was a complete jerk!!! Never will we go with his company. To start we rent two rafts. He tells us as we we getting in that one has a hole but will make it. We got out on the water 30 min late. We don't make the 5 deadline to come back. All we did was stop and each lunch on the way. We kept having to wait for the second raft with the hole that got harder for them to row. We get back 30-45 min late mind you we started 30 min late to begin with. He comes back starts arguing with our group which we have 4 kids with us. Saying he was going to charge us 50$ for being late despite the hole and late start. He also leaves a voice message on my friends phone at 5:03 " your late start rowing" and hangs up. He charged our credit card 50$ without our authorization. Never go with this company!! read more

We enjoyed a wonderful day on the Sac River. North Country staff were very helpful. The raft was very sturdy. Two moms and three boys had no trouble navigating. Water guns were fun and refreshing. Experiencing the River from this perspective is so much better than driving over and walking near. We'll make it a summer tradition. read more

Everything turned out perfectly. It was easy to make the reservations. Lance gave us good directions to the spot we picked up the raft. Hailey met us and set us up for our day on the river. We had a leisurely ride down the Sacramento river. We stopped for a picnic at the park they recommended. All in all a good time was had by all. read more

Most awful, rude, sarcastic asshole, disrespectful person lance is! NEVER rent from this place. Horrible horrible customer service. First off, when arriving one person was 10 min late after he's explaining the rules and signing a waver he goes too proceed to say well she's on her own without signing? Ummm hello? That's a lawsuit waiting to happen idiot. As a business owner really!? Then goes and talks to group like we are little kids, mean I tell you we all are over 40 years old.. And he says "okay there's a tree out there, don't hit the tree, everyone nod your head if you agree" After realizing our raft was slowing losing air in the middle seat during the float. Which wasn't totally awful but still sucks you pay that much and are on a time limit, not 1 min over unless you get charged 50 extra dollars.. So thinking to my self I'm going to say something and maybe ask for a discount and or towards next rental. So I did and he says no, and not one bit of sorriness or concerned then starting laughing at me and looks away to ignore me. How disrespectful !!!! I was so heated. I continue to talk rudely back. I just was in absolutely complete shock when I was disrespected like that and how a business owner to treat their customers like that. Do yourself a favor and just don't! read more

Our first time hiring Lance and his crew at North Country Rafting Company was smooth and enjoyable. Lance and his team of guides were on time, professional, safe and fun. Our organization was asked by the Floodplains Institute, as part of Project WET, to organize a science based float from Red Bluff to Mill Creek Park. Our mission was to help take 36 teachers, water professionals and interested agency representatives down the Sacramento River to discuss riparian ecology and the amazing USFWS River Complex. After over a month of simple correspondence with Lance, we arrived at the Sacramento River Discovery Center in Red Bluff to find he and his team set up ahead of schedule, organized and ready to roll. I have worked with several rafting companies in the past, and Lance's professionalism and calm approach stood out. Our day on the water was wonderful. There was great communication between boats and our pod remained close throughout the day. Lance includes water canons to assist in bailing the bucket boats and proved to be fun on river recreation items also; we all got WET all day thanks to those canons. The end of the day was as easy and flawless as it had started out. The trailer and carpool vehicles were already at Mill Creek Park and the boats were out of the water and ready for breakdown in minutes. I highly recommend using Lance and North Country Raft Rental for any business outings, large private trips, or to any other group of friends or family wanting to get out and experience our wonderful Sacramento River. North Country Raft Rental has all the professional pieces dialed with a laid back attitude that allows all guests to settle in to river time. Get out on the Sac River and enjoy. Thanks Lance! read more