We rate the California’s South Fork of the American River as the best river in California for both first-time and more experienced rafters. As the most popular river in California, California’s South Fork of the American River is a consistent Class II-III+, beginning-level whitewater river.
California’s South Fork of the American River has become the most popular river in California for individuals, families, groups of friends and company recreation trips, available daily from April through September.
- The 2-Day trip offers two days of rafting the entire 21 miles of river, two nights of camping (the night prior and the night during), and five top-notch meals.
- Every Saturday evening, during hors d’oeuvres, the guides give a special presentation of some El Dorado wines. What a fun way to relax!
- Our luxury riverside campground is private (no other rafting companies share it), has a well-equipment camp store which provides last-minute items you may have forgotten, flush toilets, and hot-water showers.
Tour Itinerary
Evening before your trip: Camping at the Mariah’s South Fork of the American River Campground this night is included in the price of your trip. We request that you come anytime after 6 PM. Our Camp Hostess will greet you, give you any rentals you have reserved, and show you where you may camp. There are several nice restaurants nearby where you may enjoy a lovely dinner.
Day 1: The day begins at 8 A.M. with a delicious breakfast, usually pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, juice, fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Let us know if you have a special diet. By 10 A.M. we have gathered at the picnic tables for the Trip Orientation, a thorough, 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide.
He/she will go over the safety features of the trip, and demonstrate paddle techniques. You will be introduced to your guides, launch your boats from our campsite and begin rafting a fun and easy three-mile section of the river, with time to warm up and practice your paddling in the many Class I-II rapids in this stretch. You will even have a chance to swim one of the easier rapids.
About noon we stop for a hearty and nutritious picnic lunch at our private lunch site on the Cronin Ranch. Lunch includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, breads, condiments, vegetables, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonade, ice tea, and water. We always have peanut butter and jelly. We may decide to shuttle you to the Hwy 49 Access Area, three miles upstream from our camp, in which case we will then be able to have lunch at the Mariah Campground.
After lunch, we re-board our boats and continue rafting into the Gorge, where we'll tackle fun and challenging class III rapids like Satan's Cesspool, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room. Keep a smile on your face and your paddle in the water, because our kayaking-photographer will be looking for the best shots to take, for viewing back at camp.
After the last rapid we will get a motorized tow to our take-out at Salmon Falls, Lake Folsom, load the boats onto our trailers, grab a cold soda or water, and board the Mariah vehicles for the 30-minute drive back to camp.
Back at camp, you may take a shower, play volleyball, horseshoes, ping-pong, walk our unique Nature Trail, sit by the river, read, relax, socialize with old and new friends, shop in our walk-in camp store and buy a souvenir t-shirt. Hors d’oeuvres prepared by your guides are served about 5-5:30 P.M. Every Saturday evening, during hors d’oeuvres, we have a special wine-tasting presentation in our Beverage Garden.
There is plenty of soda for the kids. On Saturday, June 25, a local bluegrass and mountain-music quartet will entertain you during hors d’oeuvres, and on July 30, our friends, the Dave Smith Quartet will present you with an eclectic assortment of music from the 40’s, 50’s, and more. We receive rave reviews for the quality and quantity of food we serve for dinner.
You may be able to enjoy barbequed steak, chicken, and salmon, colorful salad with lots of veggies to add to it, baked potato, garlic bread, soda, water, and a small amount of wine, beer. Our photographer will present the slide show of the day’s rafting. Enjoy the campfire, tell stories, sing, and relax under the stars before going to bed.
Day 2: The day begins at 8 A.M. with another delicious breakfast. This morning you will be able to tell the guide-chef just what you want in your made-to-order omelets. By 9 A.M. we have boarded our Mariah vehicles for the 45-minute drive to the Chili Bar Put-in, the top section of the river. You already know your guide, and you are already an accomplished paddler, so we will launch into the current.
The river starts out with exciting rapids so be prepared for a thrill from the beginning. During the first 5.5 miles we will raft through fun and challenging rapids like Meatgrinder, Race Horse Bend, and the Triple Threats. At mile 5.5 we enter Troublemaker Rapid, the biggest rapid on the river. During the last five miles we enjoy lots of Class I and II rapids, giving us the time to enjoy the beauty of the river canyon.
We will raft down to our campground, arriving about 1 P.M., and enjoy a hearty barbeque lunch. Lunch includes hamburgers, hot dogs, garden burgers, as well as all the appropriate condiments, fruit, chips, salads, and cold drinks. You may take a shower, buy a souvenir t-shirt, watch a slide show of the day’s run, and say farewell to the new friends you've made. You should be ready to leave for your next destination by 3 P.M.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Minimum deposit: $75.00
- Minimum age: 7
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