South Fork of the American River:
California's Favorite Whitewater Rafting

One day  |   Two days  |  Half day

Difficulty: Class III
Season: April through September
1-Day Trips: Chili Bar to Coloma or Coloma to Salmon Falls - 10 miles
2-Day Trips: Chili Bar and Gorge, Camp at Mother Lode River Center in Coloma - 20 miles
Express Trips: Chili Bar to Coloma - 10 miles / 8am - 12pm

The South Fork of the American is California's favorite river, and one of the most popular rivers in the United States. It has just the right mix of all the things people love about whitewater rafting - tons of great rapids, beautiful scenery, interesting history and a location close to the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe, and Sacramento. It's an easy drive and a great place to get away from the grind. The South Fork has something for everyone. It's a river the whole family can enjoy and yet offers enough whitewater rafting excitement that people come back year after year. View a South Fork American Rafting Video.

We offer several whitewater rafting options on the South Fork American River.

One-Day Rafting Trips

Chili Bar Run

The whitewater rafting action on this upper stretch of the river starts almost immediately with "Meatgrinder", the longest, most technical rapid on the South Fork American River. Continuing down through the canyon you'll go through one great rapid after another, building up to the infamous "Troublemaker" just above Coloma. After a hearty lunch prepared by your multi-talented guides, the river mellows to a fun, relaxing float through the historic Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and ending back at our camp in Coloma. During this section you can have a chance to learn to guide the raft, swim in the river or just enjoy the conversation with your raft-mates. Chili Bar is a morning trip and we are usually off the river by early afternoon. This gives you a chance to relax at camp or visit some of the local historical sights. Be a little more adventurous and take a hike or mountain bike ride.

Gorge Run

The Gorge Run begins at our camp in Coloma on the South Fork of the American River with a series of Class I and II warm-up rapids. We stop for lunch by the river before the canyon narrows and the river sweeps us downstream in a series of near continuous Class III rapids. You will hear the screams and high fives before you arrive at rapids like "Satan's Cesspool" and "Hospital Bar". If you are not an early morning riser or plan to drive to Mother Lode the morning of your trip, the Gorge's 11:00 AM meeting time is perfect for you!

DOUBLE RUN

Take the Chili Bar run and add on the Gorge after lunch, and you have done a Double Run! This lengthy 20-mile day is not for the faint of heart! You will paddle the action-packed 10 miles of the Chili Bar whitewater rapids, stopping at the Mother Lode camp to rest, refuel, and recharge with a hearty lunch. Then you hop back in the boat and continue withthe exhilarating whitewater of the Gorge!

Two-Day Rafting Trips

Leave the hustle and bustle behind and re-adjust your biological clock to "river time". Not only will you get to enjoy two days of whitewater rafting, you'll also have the pleasure of staying in our exceptional river camp. We'll do all the cooking and wash the dishes so you can relax with a good book, snooze in the afternoon sun, enjoy a game of volleyball, or just sit and watch the sun set over the hills. Our guides will amaze you with their culinary delights. After a scrumptious dinner designed to satisfy an army of hungry rafters, topped by our world famous Dutch-Oven-Dessert, you can tell stories by the light of the campfire or gaze at the stars until the river lulls you to sleep. In the morning you will wake with the sun to a sizzling breakfast before departing for a second exhilarating day of whitewater rafting on the river.

Includes two days of whitewater rafting, all shuttles, camping and four hearty meals.

Express Whitewater Rafting Trips (1/2 Day)

Perfect for those on a tight budget or with limited time. Enjoy a trimmed down raft trip focused on whitewater excitement. Available Sun-Fri, express trips last approximately four to five hours, including the shuttle. Express whitewater rafting trips do not include lunch.

Camping at Mother Lode

Enjoy the beauty and seclusion of our private beach on the South Fork of the American River. Advanced reservations required. $10.00/person/night. Limited to trip participants.

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