Customer Reviews

Best SF American outfitter there is!
I have been rafting on a handful of rivers and River Runners is one of the best! We took our time going down the river listening to our guide and his in depth knowledge about the river, and surrounding nature. We stopped a few times to skip rocks, jump off rocks, have snacks and enjoy the day. This is opposite of what most companies do on this river as they just fly by us. 10/10.

Top notch! I have run a number of rivers in the US/Canada both guided and unguided. In all those years I haven't met a group of folks who understand their clients, the river, and natural history nearly as well as River Runners.

They are truly next level. Low key, while reading exactly how much was needed to fire up the paddlers. We spent a ton of time playing in the holes like a kayak, and riding the eddy lines. No stress adventure!

I only fell in once, 10/10 would raft again!!

If you want an adventure where you’re safe, laughing, learning, and eating like champs — this is your crew. They care, they hustle, and they’ll make sure you go home bragging to your friends. Support this business, because big corporate rafting trips just don’t compare.

P.S. Got a youth group, camp, or rowdy family reunion? Book with River Runners. They’ll keep you safe, fed, and entertained — and that’s a guarantee.

We had an incredible day rafting the South Fork of the American River with River Runners! From start to finish, their focus on safety, having fun and making sure everyone felt comfortable. John, the owner, clearly takes pride in running a small business that puts people first, and it really shows.

Our guide Daniel was outstanding—he not only navigated the river with ease but also took the time to teach us about the history and natural beauty of the area. The lunch was fantastic and a perfect break in the middle of the day, adding to an already amazing experience.

If you’re looking for a rafting trip where you’re not just another number, but part of a group that cares about your safety, your experience, and even the food, this is the company to go with. They work hard, they care deeply, and they’ll make sure your day on the river is unforgettable. I wouldn't hesitate to book your trip with them.

P.S. If you’re planning a trip for a group, youth organization, or camp, this is absolutely the company you want to book with—they’ll take care of you every step of the way.

MIRACLE WORKERS: Our family had a great experience with River Runners who was referred to us by a family friend. Our river guide Stella, was a second-generation rafting guide and realy knows every nook and cranny of the river. From "surfing" to popping a wheelie to experiencing an "adventure swim" where the current gently pulls you under and then pops you out again - I noticed that River Runners really took time to stop and experience the river while many of the other rafting companies just floated by...

Which brings me to the miracle... Stella invited us to climb a large boulder in the river on one of our many stops to jump off into the deep end. While I was climbing, the cold water must have shrunk my fingers because I watched as my wedding ring spun off my finger and bounced twice before falling into a deep rain hole 4-5 feet deep. We spent about a half hour trying to fish it out with no success and sadly we decided just to finish the trip having lost my ring.

I assumed the ring was lost in the great white river and was bummed- but the owner John heard about it from Stella and e-mailed me the next day saying they would go back to search for it. Two days later, John contacted me again to say that they had found it and mailed it back to me.

I don't write a lot of reviews on Yelp- but this above-and-beyond spirit really needs to be recognized in this day and age. Our family had a fantastic experience on the full-day Chili Bar trip and I would have given them 5 stars either way- but certainly having them find my ring will make this an experience I won't ever forget.

Very well organized! Our guide, Clara was incredible! She had lots of knowledge, experience, and took great care of all of her passengers. We felt like we were in the best of hands.

Wyet took us on the trip. He stopped at many places and gave the opportunity to jump off cliffs to water. Swimming at eddy currents that loops us in big circles was memorable and had really great experience. Driving to huge currents of white water was thrilling.

Samantha Crone was an awesome guide and made the trip so much fun! Thanks Sam

Will was absolutely AMAZING! 🚣‍♂️🔥
He was hands down the most energetic, fun, and professional guide on the whole river. From start to finish, he made our rafting trip unforgettable — taking us through the most exciting routes and keeping the vibe super fun and full of adrenaline. His passion and energy were contagious, and we felt completely safe and hyped the whole time. If you’re thinking of tipping someone — make sure it’s Will! He truly made the day awesome. Thank you, Will! 🙌

We have had many adventures on the river with John and his talented staff. The best times every time!!!

Have had nothing but great experiences with River Runners. Did a trip in 2024 with my son’s scout troop and again this year with a smaller group. John has the best guides who provide nothing short of the best experience on the river. Some outfits rush you down the river trying to get from launch to the reservoir as quickly as possible. River Runners goes at a different pace, allowing you to stop at different points to explore and appreciate all that the river has to offer, think jumping off cliffs into the river, or skipping rocks. They have an option for multi-day trips, and the meals are top notch. Special shout out to our guide this last go-around, Scotty, who’s been guiding for 20+ years now and made the two days of rafting so enjoyable.

My wife and I, recently attended River Runners private boaters school. The wealth of knowledge that we received during this class was nothing but outstanding. The way the class was taught with interactions between classmates, input with knowledge in what we all needed was nothing but professionals giving their wisdom and knowledge throughout the entire days, that I wish more people could attend. A simple explanation does not do this class justice in explaining how awesome this class was! Thank you, River Runners. Will be attending more classes that they teach along with going with them on future trips.

Ok, let me tell you about River Runners. If you want to take your time, have an amazing, fun experience with guilds that love what they do and appreciate the river, then these are your people's.
The food. Dont get me started on the food. So good and top-notch stuff. I'm talking omelets, bacon, bagels, pancakes, sausage, fruit, steak, chicken, fish, ice cream, brownies, zucchini, sandwiches with killer Dave's bread, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, real meat, and so much more until you are stuffed.
Simply the best outfit on the river, hands down.
Great camp spot if you go that route. Easy on and off the river. Great people.

We had an amazing time on the Happy Hour rafting trip with River Runners! Finn was our guide and he was absolutely fantastic — super knowledgeable, fun, and made the whole experience feel safe and exciting. The views were stunning, the rapids were just the right mix of thrill and chill, and the whole vibe was perfect. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend an afternoon. Highly recommend asking for Finn if you book! We will definitely be looking for him again next year! Thank you again Finn!

What an incredible experience! We attended for the Scout merit badge program (white water and kayak merit badges) with our troop of 15 scouts ages 11 to 15. We stayed 1 night and loved every minute. Incredible and knowledgeable guides and loved working with John, the owner. Delicious food for all dietary needs and made so many lifetime memories with the scouts. We appreciated all of the great guidance, wet suits, and welcoming atmosphere. We will definitely plan on returning and making this a new annual scout trip. Thank you again to all of the awesome team at River Runners!!

Wonderful program and experience for White Water and Kayak merit badge for our boy scout troop (kids ages 11-16). Came early on a Saturday and stayed 1 night. All food and tents were provided, along with high quality education and training. Our time on the water was unforgettable for our scout troop and all of the guides were fabulous. Worked great with the scouts and treated us to a buffet of meals. John was great to work with when planning the event and we plan to make this an annual trip each year. Scouts all loved doing Class I, II and III rapids and kayaking down the South Fork. Appreciated the wetsuits as well (we came in May) and all of the safety gear. Wonderful to work with and would recommend for any other scout group or family reunion. Thank you to the awesome River Runner's team!

John and his team were amazing. The river was amazing. Perfect mix of fun, excitement, relaxing and safety. We took a group of 40 with 23 kids ages 8-12 on the 3/4 day trip. Can’t say enough good things. It was the highlight of our weekend!! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to go rafting, from beginner to experienced.

First time rafters. Forever hooked. Scottie was our guide. Highly HIGHLY recommend him. He kept us entertained, safe and taught us a lot about rafting techniques, the area and nature. Great spread for lunch (build your own sandwiches with ALL the fixings). We'll definitely be back.

I had family visiting ad wanted to give them a safe, special trip on the river. As a Coloma resident and kayaker, I asked local friends & fellow whitewater enthusiasts for recommendations for a good raft outfitter for a 2-day South Fork trip. One of the companies that was repeatedly recommended was River Runners. As soon as I spoke to the owner, John, I knew River Runners would be a great choice. John was accommodating and professional. He went out of his way to help me deliver a custom, intimate experience for my family. Everything about our river trip was top notch. Our guide Chris was fantastic!! He navigated our desire for maximum FUN while keeping everyone safe. His decades of experience shined as we surfed & spun on waves that I wouldn’t have thought possible. At the same time, he displayed the infectious enthusiasm and energy of a newer guide. In our rafting photos, you can see pure joy on Chris’ face…this is a guide who is truly present and loves what he does. The River Runners team did not take any shortcuts. Chris, along with another awesome guide Wyatt, showed us the best blackberry spots, swimming eddies, and jumping rocks. The team served up a great BBQ for lunch one day and a fantastic lunch spread the next. It was a class act from start to finish. I thought I was hiring River Runners mainly to make the logistics easier for me (vs. having a local rafting friend take us down.) What I didn’t realize is that after hundreds of trips down the South Fork, I would experience the river in a whole new way! Thank you John, Chris, Wyatt and team for providing an unforgettable experience for us all!

We went rafting and it was one of the best experiences ever! and thanks to Chris, he is a clear example that when you love what you do it shows, you are the best !! highly recommended

So easy to pull in and set up for camping /great staff and setting for the river

Incredible team focused on safety and having a fun time!

Best Guides on the River Our family of five from San Diego felt lucky to get the best guides on the river. They gave us time to swim, jump off rocks into the water, and float on our backs down the river when we wanted to. No hurry. Just nature and fun. Loved it! Shane Sullivan

Wow what a blast…. This was my third time white water rafting…. River Runners was by far the best experience I have had…. John our guide was so knowledgeable and his experience was second to none! If you’re thinking about it I would say just do it! You won’t regret it! I would rate this 10 stars if it was available!

A chill family run operation. I can see the corporatization of some of the other operators and glad that they still run it in such a personalized, way. The picnic lunch was great, with quality food. They have their own reserved campsite area that's away from the rest of the sites. Scotty our guide clearly had over 20 years of experience.

I had such an amazing experience with River Runners last weekend for Labor Day with the wife we decided to go down this weekend with our kids and it was amazing all the things we did along the trip down river. The guides were amazing with the knowledge of the area the family and I have learned so much about trees , wildlife , edible plants and berries. I look forward to next season we will definitely be out there.

Great vibe, Great people, Great trip-I'd give y'all six stars if I could. Thanks Remy !

River Runners is a fantastic rafting company. The staff are truly kind and enjoyable, and I had a great experience over 2 days with them.

We loved everything about the whole experience. Guides were great! John was our guide. My husband ended up knocking my son out of the raft but that just added to the adventure. Lunch was great. The water was really moving fast. Highly recommend.

The best rafting outfit and guides I have ever experienced. Definitely worth the over night stay for both upper and lower runs but the dinner menu was amazing. Ive been back with my groups and families many time and have never had a complaint or criticism. Professional, safe abd fun.

We'd choose River Runners again and again!! 5 Stars for sure! My family and I had the BEST time rafting with our guide, John. He made it so exciting for us that we want to return less than a month later!! Definitely choose River Runners for the most skilled guides who are kind and into giving you and your family the best experience!

We'd choose River Runners again and again!! 5 Stars for sure! My family and I had the BEST time rafting with our guide, John. He made it so exciting for us that we want to return less than a month later!! Definitely choose River Runners for the most skilled guides who are kind and into giving you and your family the best experience!

A wonderful day on the river Sarah - We had a wonderful day on the South Fork of the American River this past Saturday.

We loved skipping stones, the meanderings of the flat water, the fabulous stories of your worldly adventures, the rush, dips, and splashes of the rapids of Barking Dog, Satan’s Cesspool, Hospital Bar and many other rapids, the delicious ham and turkey lunch sandwiches, the hawks, mergansers, turkey vultures, Canadian geese and goslings, the ancient rocks of the river banks and gorges, and the lazy jet ski tow-out at the end.

It was a magical day made all the better by your expertise as a guide and boat Captian.

Thanks and we will be back to River Runners again and again!

Good people work for good people - Kyle and John made that abundantly obvious. Because we came so early in the year, my wife and I were fortunate enough to be the only people in the 6+ person raft with our guide, Kyle. From the moment I booked over the phone with John until the moment we left camp after the trip, the size of our group/trip never once felt like an inconvenience to River Runners. We arrived to a fresh pour of coffee and chatted with the entire team before setting out on a full single day trip. Kyle was passionate, personable, and full of life. Wouldn't consider another outfitter for a future trip.

Hands down the best. John and all the guides is what makes it the best .

Went on a school trip this Monday and Tuesday and the staff were phenomenal and super fun to be around! They were on top of everything, woke up super early to make us delicious breakfast, and cooked amazing lunches and dinner. Would give them more than 5 stars but unfortunately, that's the max. This place is worth the time and money!!!!!

I went river rafting with my son's scout troop on Sunday and had an *amazing* time, despite the somewhat smoky air quality due to the Mosquito fire! I had already heard a great review about this company from another parent and everything she told me was accurate. They took their time guiding us down the river (~5 - 6 hours!), so it wasn't a rush to get to the finish line, and stopped at so many places to let the kids (and adults) play in the rapids, swim or jump from cliffs, where it's safe. The guides also seemed to tailor each boat's experience based on the passengers. Our boat was all adults and the guide (Kylie) was very personable and knowledgeable about the river and we also learned a lot about how the company is run and what makes them so special, as well as the art of guiding a raft. Kyle had a boat with the older scouts and was so funny to watch with them. He would get their raft purposefully(?) stuck on rocks, "surf" almost every rapid they could and do other fun things with the boat. He even jumped in at one point to rescue my hat. My son and the younger scouts were with Wyatt as their guide and I felt like they were taken care of and safe. All of the guides instilled in me full confidence in their capabilities and we all had a blast! Everything was well run, the campsite is beautiful with nice/clean facilities and the whole experience was top notch. It was very memorable for me and I would highly highly recommend this company if you're planning to be in the area.

I went here for a boy scout trip a few days ago, and it was so much fun! Andrew and Kyle were our guides, and they were excellent! We went both rafting and kayaking, and I loved them both!

Such an amazing experience! Thank you John for everything! Honestly y’all don’t book with anyone else river runners is where it’s at!!

RIVER RUNNERS IS THE BEST! Our group of 21 did a full day trip at South Fork and we had such a BLAST! From the guides, to the food, to doing all the fun activities.. everything was perfect and amazing! John, the owner, was so easy to talk to and very responsive to all my inquiries because you know.. booking a trip for 21 people wasn’t easy. We jumped rocks, swam through the rapid, went through a “birthing canal” - (ps: none of the other river rafting companies do this extra ordinary experience) .. and IT WAS SO FUN!! So If you are looking for a fun, exciting, adventurous experience then you should definitely book from river runners. And we love love love our guide, Andrew!!! He definitely gave our boat a memorable and fun experience that we will never forget. He told jokes, made us laugh, remembered all our names, and made us do crazy fun tricks 😊

John is excellent guide. Very entertaining extremely safe and his strategies work on 5 yr old too. He's very safe rafter and knows the rapids oh the south fork Robert very well. Provided snack and enough break time swim time in water . No rushing. Understands our needs. Provided cool watermelon at the end of trip. We could not stay over at the camp. But highly recommend camping and then rafting

Had an amazing time rafting the south fork. Derrick was the best guide!!

GREAT RAFT GUIDE PROGRAM! I took the 5-day rafting guide course for private boaters this June on the South Fork American River. Plenty of class 3-4 white water rapids. The class was very well organized and professionally taught. Typical day starts in the morning 8:30am w a discussion of strategies and rapids. Boating safety was always a top priority. Then off to the put in where it's lots of hands on training and practice w several experienced guide. Boats were 4-5 students in each so we all took turns guiding and paddling. Throughout various days we also practiced flipping rafts over, ferrying across a river upstream, throwing ropes to pull rafters to safety and portaging around obstacles. I recommend this course as an introduction for those looking to do private rafting trips w friends and family.

Lower fork during the middle of the week Our group did the lower fork and had a blast. During the middle of the week there is not that many rafts on the river. Great time to go. It's like having your own private river.

The staff at River Runners take their time and let you enjoy the day. They had an excellent spread for lunch too. Highly recommend using them for your raft trip.

Emily was the best.

Lower fork during the middle of the week Our group did the lower fork and had a blast. During the middle of the week there is not that many rafts on the river. Great time to go. It's like having your own private river.

The staff at River Runners take their time and let you enjoy the day. They had an excellent spread for lunch too. Highly recommend using them for your raft trip.

Emily was the best.