North Fork American River Rafting with Mother Lode!

North Fork American River

Advanced Class IV+ Spring Rafting

Free flowing and fed only by spring snow melt, the crystal clear whitewater of the North Fork American River zigzags down a narrow sluice box of a canyon through spectacular alpine scenery.

The intense rafting action begins as house-sized boulders squeeze the river to a mere twenty feet to form Class IV+ “Chamberlain Falls” then the river accelerates into nearly continuous drop Class IV rapids.

With the completion of the Class IV rapids, we stop for lunch. While your guides prepare the food, you have a chance to explore Shirttail or Indian Creeks, just two of the many wonders of the North Fork American River Canyon. After lunch, continue for three miles of Class II and III rapids.

Continuous Class IV+ Rapids
Hikes up Shirttail and Indian Creek
Pristine Alpine Canyon

Skill Level: The North Fork American River is the most difficult of the three forks of the American. Due to the intensity of the river coupled with the cold springtime water we recommend this trip to experienced paddlers with swimming ability
Duration: Half-day Family Float, to the full-day Gorge and Chili Bar runs
Age: 14+
Season: April – Mid-June
Availability: Every day
Requirements: Guests must have swimming ability.

South Fork – 2-Day – CLASS III

Adjust your biological clock to “river time” with an overnight trip. Your second day of rafting can take you to a new stretch of the South Fork, or to a more advanced run on the Middle or North Fork. If one day of rafting was enough, have fun in camp with our Ropes Course and Zip Line or head to the South Fork Trail for fantastic local mountain biking and hiking.