Into the Wild

River Runners Staff

Two Days with River Runners

When you go whitewater rafting with River Runners it kind of feels like you are part of a secret society. If you have been rafting with us before you may have noticed other companies' guides call out 'yeah River Runners!' as they pass us playing in the river somewhere. River Runners has quite a reputation around Coloma because of our playful ways. What you may not know is that we have a list of guides as long as our guide paddles who want to work with us. A guide who used to work for another company on the South Fork of the American River said recently that she used to float by us and feel so jealous of the freedom the guides and guests had to enjoy the river. She now works as a guide on the Grand Canyon on a trip that takes two weeks, and she added that, River Runners manages to give their customers the experience of a long multi-day trip like that in just a couple of days.

Into the wild

It's really about freedom. It's about being able to relax, play and swim. It's about being able to spend quality time in nature with your friends and family. It's about having guides that care.
two day whitewater rafting vacation

As we head into the 2017 rafting season, River Runners is focused on expanding the two-day trip so that you can get the most out of your experience. Last year our guests began to make all sorts of variations to their trip and this year we want to make sure you all know that you can customize your rafting vacation in many different ways.

Options include adding an arrival night dinner to your trip so that your group can all eat together in camp when you arrive. Or maybe you would like to add a third night of camping and dinner to extend your trip and enjoy another evening by the campfire. Two of our regulars last year had such a great time that they even stayed and did a third day of rafting. River Runners is also offering yoga classes that can be booked as part of your package. And don't forget that you can do two-day trips on weekdays too, weekdays are often a lot quieter on the river and make for a much more wilderness like experience.

So get creative and run it by us, we want you to get the best experience that you can!

Things are getting rolling here at River Runners, the sun is shining and the river has that snow melt blue sheen to it. We can't wait for the 2017 season to begin.

-The Guides

View of the Coloma Lotus Valley near Camp Lotus, CA

The South Fork Of The American River: By Bill Center

By River Runners Staff | May 1, 2019

When John and I took over River Runners in 2015 we could only do so with the support of the Centers. Bill and Robin Center own Camp Lotus where River Runners operates. For years their tireless work on the camp ground has provided a beautiful green oasis throughout the dry hot summers. John and I … Read more

River Runners Guides

5 Reasons To Become A Class III Whitewater Raft Guide

By River Runners Staff | March 5, 2019

1. Class III Rafting is Fun I know, it’s kind of obvious right? If you have been rafting before, you know how much fun it is. If you haven’t you should come and find out for yourself. Whether you are just floating down a calm pool chatting with friends or if you are slamming through … Read more

North Fork American River Cleanup 03

Cleaning Up The North Fork American River

By River Runners Staff | April 28, 2018

In March of 2018, River Runners discovered a trash problem on the  Chamberlain Falls section of the the North Fork of the American River near Auburn, California. The North Fork of the American River is a beautiful free flowing river that is usually spared from pollution due to the inaccessibility of its narrow gorges. Much … Read more

Motherload Falls on Slab Creek Section of the South Fork American R.

Slab Creek: The Run That Time Forgot

By River Runners Staff | February 18, 2018

From the parking lot 400 vertical feet above the put-in, it’s easy to feel intimidated. At first sight the river falls over a ledge, crashes into a rock, and spits a rooster tail wave into the air. The setting is stunning. A quarter mile downstream from put-in a magnificent waterfall cascades into the river in … Read more

Rafters having fun times on the South Fork American River

The Need For Outside Playtime – One More Time With Feeling!

By River Runners Staff | December 30, 2017

It’s a hot spring day and two yellow school buses squeal their breaks and come to a halt. With the engine idling the roar of the students rivals that of the river nearby. The raft guides are smiling and waving, muttering “here we go” under their breath, readying themselves for the 60 hormonal sweaty teenagers … Read more

How to Empower Women in Outdoor Adventures

By River Runners Staff | December 19, 2017

I met my husband nine years ago. He was traveling in my home country of Australia and invited me to travel with him so I went. A few days later we were north of Perth. After breakfast he stood up creating a stir among the flies and said, ‘I am going for a hike. I … Read more

Joe T on a Rock

Love Each Other, Have Fun, Go Rafting!

By River Runners Staff | July 4, 2017

I’ve been a professional river guide for 40 years and would like to share a few notions. River guiding is a community event. The degree that the guides cooperate determines the amount of enjoyment on a river trip. I’d like to thank all the river guides whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with over … Read more

high Water South Fork American River

The South Fork Of The American River … Always Full Of Surprises

By River Runners Staff | May 12, 2017

  Living by the river forces me to be flexible. It’s always changing here so I have learned not to get too comfortable with the way things are. It’s a good thing, because this past winter turned out to be the biggest precipitation year since 1983. We had never seen the river get so high. … Read more

Into The Wild Blog

Into the Wild

By River Runners Staff | March 1, 2017

Two Days with River Runners When you go whitewater rafting with River Runners it kind of feels like you are part of a secret society. If you have been rafting with us before you may have noticed other companies’ guides call out ‘yeah River Runners!’ as they pass us playing in the river somewhere. River … Read more

South Fork American River breaks it's bank in January 2017 Flood

Rafting From The California Drought Into Sierra Storms

By River Runners Staff | February 20, 2017

The South Fork of the American River breaks its banks in Placerville California, January 2017. From The River Runners’ Headquaters on The South Fork of the American River – Placerville, California It’s raining. A lot. As I write, there is a torrential downpour obscuring the view out of the windows and hammering on the rooftop. … Read more

Why Rafting With River Runners Is So Different

By River Runners Staff | August 24, 2016

Over the course of this past amazing summer I have given a lot of thought to what sets River Runners apart on the South Fork of the American River. It is not just all the extra curricular activities we do, like swimming, jumping off of rocks and stopping to skip rocks and pick berries, it … Read more

Summer Loving jumping off rocks

Summer Lovin’

By River Runners Staff | June 30, 2016

“Tenderly, he looked into the rushing water, into the transparent green, into the crystal lines of its drawing, so rich in secrets. Bright pearls he saw rising from the deep, quiet bubbles of air floating on the reflecting surface, the blue of the sky being depicted in it. With a thousand eyes, the river looked … Read more

Lush Spring greenery along the riverside

South Fork Spring Journeys

By River Runners Staff | May 20, 2016

There is a lot of work involved in setting up River Runners. A lot of building, painting, digging and lots of talking. Yes a lot of things that don’t have much to do with that passion of ours – rafting. But all this pre-season busy work just makes Spring rafting even sweeter. This Spring, rafting … Read more

River Runners van and trailer with kayaks ready to go

Even The Little Things Are Epic

By River Runners Staff | April 1, 2016

As the weather warms, rivers run, the lilacs bloom and the poppies burst…we venture out into rivers known and unknown to us. We went on an exploratory mission to find a short section of the Mokelumne River that we had never been on before. The road was washed out by the heavy winter rains and … Read more

Contact us to plan your next rafting adventure!