Middle Fork of the American River:
Whitewater Rafting in a Wilderness Setting

Moderately Difficult: Class III-IV
Min. Age: 14
Season: May-Sept
1 and 2-Day Trips: Oxbow to Greenwood Bridge - 18 Miles
3-Day Trips: Oxbow to Mammoth Bar- 25 Miles
Combo Trip: South and Middle Forks, Camp at Malode - 28 Miles

MIDDLE FORK AMERICAN WEEKEND SPECIAL!
The Middle Fork American River promises Class IV rafting flows through September 21 this year. We will be offering weekday pricing on all remaining weekends through September 21st. Price will include one day on the Middle Fork American River with lunch, camping in our campground the night before your raft trip, firewood, and wetsuit if needed.  Space is limited so make your reservation today!
CALL 1-800-427-2387, M-F 9-5 and ASK FOR THE MIDDLE FORK WEEKEND SPECIAL!

The fun starts right at put-in where your senses will awaken with the first Class III whitewater rapid, called "Morning Coffee". The wild ride continues as we charge through "Tunnel Chute", an infamous 100-foot long chasm blasted by gold thirsty miners in the 19th century and empties into a pool that flows through a 90-foot rock tunnel where the river has been diverted through the mountain. We spend the morning paddling Class III and IV rapids until the roar of the river silences, the rapids calm, and we can enjoy the natural wonders of the canyon.

After a hearty lunch prepared by your guides, we strap our helmets back on and prepare for more class IV action. As we near the end of the trip we arrive at "Ruck-a-Chucky Falls". Guides will thoroughly entertain you as they "ghost boat" the rafts down the unrunnable waterfall, and catch them at the bottom before they are sucked away by another Class IV rapid just 100 feet downstream. The excitement doesn't stop there as we meet rapids like "Texas Chainsaw Mama" and "Guide Launcher". After a continuous section of rapids we come to the take out at Greenwood Bridge.

Although the Middle Fork is more physically demanding than the South Fork, it is perfectly suited for adventurous first time rafters and experienced paddlers alike. Adventurers as young as 14 years old can enjoy the splendor of the Middle Fork of the American.

One-day Rafting Trips

Our one-day whitewater rafting trips are spent mostly on the water. It is an eighteen-mile run beginning at Oxbow and taking out at Greenwood Bridge. We take a nice lunch break on a sandy beach where you are welcome to take a swim while the guides prepare your lunch.

Multi-day Rafting Trips

Mother Lode offers one, two and three-day whitewater rafting trips on the Middle Fork. Our one and two-day trips take out at Greenwood Bridge, a beautiful eighteen mile run. The three-day trip continues on downstream with 7 miles more of tranquil class II rapids where you can relax or take a swim before you head back to the fast paced lifestyle of life off the river.

While the one-day trip is spent mostly on the water, the multi-day trips spend some time off river, exploring the river canyons on side hikes. We make camp on an isolated beach where you can explore the depths of the river with masks and snorkels, perhaps spotting a five-pound rainbow trout swimming along the river bottom. While you relax and evening comes, you are treated to a gourmet riverside dinner followed by a warm campfire. As the evening of star gazing and enjoying the serenity of the canyon comes to an end, falling asleep will be easy as you are lulled to sleep by the relaxing sound of the river.

Combo Rafting Trips

One day trips are great but two days of whitewater rafting are twice as much fun! We offer a number of two-day combinations that are sure to satisfy your whitewater appetite (At least temporarily). Often, people want a chance to "warm up" before taking on a more difficult river. Do this by combining the South Fork with the North Fork during the spring rafting season or with the Middle Fork during the summer. Combination trips give you the chance to enjoy two different rivers and have the luxury of staying at our riverside camp.

See for yourself why the Middle Fork of the American has been determined eligible for National Wild and Scenic Status, an honor less than 2% of rivers nationwide can claim.

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