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.
A day on the North Fork of the American River gives you the opportunity to enjoy a day of Challenging Class IV-IV+ rapids while rafting in a beautiful high-walled river canyon. In the spring the California poppies and blue lupine grow out of the granite walls that line the river.
Plummeting out of the Desolation Valley basin near Lake Tahoe is the free-flowing North Fork American River, with some of California's most exciting springtime technical rapids. From the moment we enter the river, the ride is challenging and exciting.
The upper five mile stretch of river has an average gradient drop of 50' per mile through a steep and narrow granite canyon, offering spectacular whitewater and great vistas - when we have a moment! Turns are tight and technical; Chamberlain Falls is a thrilling drop! These first five miles are continuous class IV rapids, including Chamberlain Falls, Staircase Falls, and Bogus thunder.
- One of the spectacular features of the North Fork River Canyon is the narrow canyon, the 1000’- high cliff walls, the gorgeous California poppies and purple lupine that grow out of the rock walls.
- We can also run this combination as a North Fork (10 miles) / South Fork, Chili Bar Run (10 miles).
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.
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 8:45 A.M. we have boarded our Mariah vehicles for the one-hour drive to the North Fork Put-in. Once we start our descent down to the Iowa Hill Put-In, we will drive through a beautiful, and isolated section of the canyon.
You already know your guide, and you are already an accomplished paddler, so we will launch into the current. The first 5 miles are non-stop Class IV rapids. Slaughter’s Sluice, Chamberlain Falls, Tongue and Groove, Bogus Thunder, and Staircase just a few of the names of the class IV-IV+ rapids you will hear your guides talking about.
About noon, you will be very hungry, so we will beach the boats and enjoy a hearty lunch. Lunch includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, breads, condiments, vegetables, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonade, ice tea, and water. After lunch, we re-board our rafts, paddle through a few more Class IV rapids, and then enter the more mellow stretch of river.
You can now truly enjoy the spectacular scenery, and talk non-stop about your spectacular runs! We usually arrive at the take-out about 3 P.M., depending on what time we put-in, At the Take-Out, Ponderosa Way Bridge, you may change into your dry clothes, enjoy a beverage, and drive the 30-minutes back to Auburn. Our kayaking-photographer will give you a slide show of the day’s run and you may order photos and CD’s.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Minimum deposit: $75.00
Price Includes:
- 2 days of rafting
- 5 meals
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California
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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