Three Things to Consider When Choosing a Rafting Trip
There is no better way to experience the beauty of California than by whitewater rafting on one of it's beautiful rivers. California whitewater is some of the best in the world. There are many elements to planning a rafting trip and you will want to be well informed when making a decision. Here are three things to consider when choosing your whitewater rafting trip in California.
We love talking about river trips, and our river experts are always happy to help plan your next adventure with you. Please call, email, or text with any questions about whitewater rafting in California.
1. Age Range of Your Rafting Group
The best Californian river to raft if you have a group with a diverse age range is the South Fork of the American River in Coloma. The South Fork of the American River is a great trip at normal summer flows for individuals aged 6+.
That's not to say it's a float trip--the South Fork of the American River is actually class III and has some of our favorite rapids in the USA!
To learn more about the classification system click here.
At normal flows the South Fork of the American River is playful, fun, and has something for everyone. For the timid AND the wild, this river makes it easy to please your whole group!
In years when there is a very wet winter, the Spring snow melt can turn the South Fork into a very different beast over the spring months and may change the minimum age requirements. This is not true every year so be sure to give us a call for more information if you are planning a March-May rafting trip.
To learn more about rafting trips on the South Fork of the American choose one of the trips below...
South Fork Two-Day Trip
Relax, unwind, and unplug with River Runners' premier two-day whitewater rafting retreat on the South Fork of the American River. Let us do the work while you enjoy camping and each other's company. We set up your tents and cook for you. Wander around Camp Lotus and chill by the river. Pick some blackberries or enjoy a drink. Experience both the Gorge and the Chili Bar sections of the river. Appropriate for most ages and adventure levels.
South Fork Gorge Full Day
This is California whitewater rafting at its best! Meet us at our camp in the morning and depart from there. Enjoy the whole day on the river rafting, swimming, playing, relaxing, and passing quality time with your friends and family. This trip starts with the easy stuff, offers a deli lunch in the middle of the trip, and finishes with all the exciting rapids exactly when you are ready for them. It's perfect for most ages and adventure levels.
South Fork Chili Bar Full Day
Another California whitewater classic! Meet us at our camp in the morning and take a bus to the river put in. Dive deep into a forested canyon. Enjoy the scenery while your guides safely lead you through class II/III rapids. Take the opportunity to jump off a rock and swim a rapid, or skip a rock and pick blackberries. This trip starts with the exciting stuff and ends with a relaxing float and a BBQ lunch.
For groups that are looking for something with a little bit more adrenaline, a class IV adventure may be for you. There are minimum age requirements for our class IV rafting trips. This is mainly because of the need to self-rescue or at least actively participate in one's own rescue should one fall out of the boat.
The North Fork of the American River, Middle Fork of the American River, and the Kaweah River all have a minimum age requirement of 14+.
2. The Fitness Factor of Your Rafting Group
It is important in any adventure activity to be aware of the physical limitations of your group. For people who are not particularly athletic and don't swim well, the South Fork of the American River is a great entry point to whitewater rafting. It will feel challenging and thrilling without being too overwhelming.
You don't have to be a muscle-bound gym junkie to go on class IV rafting trips, but being able to swim, paddle and have your heart rate up comfortably for an extended period of time is very important. Class IV rivers like the Middle Fork of the American, North Fork of the American, and the Kaweah are not suitable for those who have active injuries or illnesses.
Adventure activities are a great time to be really honest about what you and other members of your group are looking for in your vacation!
3. Location
The forks of the American River are all located near River Runners' basecamp in the Coloma/Lotus Valley in Northern California. Our camp is less than two hours from Reno, Lake Tahoe and Sacramento, and about three hours from the San Francisco Bay area.
If you are coming to raft from far away, like Southern California or Las Vegas why not make a two-day trip of it?!
Our most popular two-day rafting trip is the South Fork of the American River. This trip is really popular with folks driving up from the Los Angeles area, and they often add extra days of camping onto their trips to take some time to chill out too.
We can provide all meals, tents, and logistics -- it is camping without the work! You just bring your sleeping bag, pad, and pillow.
The Kaweah River is about three hours from Los Angeles and has great accommodation nearby. It is also located right near the entrance to Sequoia National Park, so why not go visit those old giants while you are there! Here's a link for your trip planning: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/index.htm