South Fork of the American River
The South Fork of the American River begins in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 5 miles east of the Sierra-At-Tahoe Ski Resort. The winter snow melts and begins to travel westward. Through lush pines, striking granite landscapes and quaint communities, the South Fork of the American River journeys toward the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The South Fork is joined by many creeks along the way and in total captures the water from about 840 square miles.
The South Fork of the American River travels around 90 miles before it becomes part of the Lower American River. Three major and many other minor man-made reservoirs contain the natural flow of the South Fork of the American River on its way downhill towards the Pacific Ocean.
The major dams are Slab Creek Reservoir built in 1967, Chili Bar Reservoir built in 1964, and Folsom Lake Reservoir built in 1955.
Folsom Lake Reservoir is technically built on the American River but consequently floods the confluence of the North and South Forks of the American River. When the lake is at capacity it backs quite far up the lower portions of both the North and South Forks of the American River. The American River then continues down to meet the Sacramento River which pours out to meet with the San Joaquin River in the San Francisco Bay.
The Gorge and Chili Bar sections of The South Fork of the American River are the most popular places to go whitewater rafting in California, and for good reason. The river is easily accessible, within just hours of Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, and the river itself is comprised of gorgeous sections of exciting whitewater interspersed with gentle riffles suitable for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying your time in nature.
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.
North Fork of the American River
The North Fork of the American River headwaters begins in the Sierra Nevada with snowmelt from the backsides of Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and Palisades Ski Resort. The North Fork cuts a deep canyon through the mountains descending toward the Sacramento Valley and offers some of the most exciting rafting in Northern California.
Much of the upper North Fork of the American River is comprised of dangerous and narrow Class V rapids, but as the canyon heads towards the valley, the rapids become more accessible and there are thrilling class IV sections that are a treat to raft in the springtime.
The North Fork of the American River is one of the few free-flowing rivers left in California. Because the river is undammed until reaching the confluence with the South Fork of the American River at Folsom Reservoir, it can only be rafted while there is snowmelt to supply the water for the river.
River Runners is excited to offer rafting trips on the North Fork of the American River beginning in April. Learn more about our full day North Fork rafting trip.
North Fork Full Day Trip
The North Fork of the American whitewater rafting trip is a full-day rafting adventure on the stunning undammed Chamberlain Falls section of the river. It is a journey steeped in mining history and offering incredible landscapes. And it's located near Truckee, CA and Reno, Nevada.
Highlights include rapids like Slaughter's Sluice, Chamberlain Falls, Bogus Thunder, and Staircase. And a delicious deli lunch served in a private riverside setting.
Middle Fork of the American River
The Middle Fork of the American River is situated in a deep wilderness canyon that finds its headwaters on the backside of Palisades Ski Resort. The Middle Fork American River has an extensive gold mining history, and the relics of the Middle Fork’s mining era can be seen all over the canyon to this day.
In fact, the most famous feature of the Middle Fork of the American River is a rapid called Tunnel Chute, an entirely man-made class IV rapid created by blasting a chute through solid rock to divert the river from its original course to get at the rich deposits of gold found in the riverbed.
It turned out to be one of the biggest gold discoveries in the California foothills, and the river was forever changed. The iconic Tunnel Chute rapid is one of the most exciting class IV experiences to be had in whitewater rafting today, thanks to those miners.
Besides the exciting slew of Class IV rapids, the Middle Fork of the American River offers an incredible wilderness experience with wildlife sightings, incredible scenery, and lots of bonding time on the 18-mile journey through the remote canyon.
Middle Fork Full Day Trip
Enjoy a stunning and thrilling full-day Class IV whitewater rafting experience near Truckee, CA and Reno, Nevada. This is a perfect marriage of adrenaline, scenery, and camaraderie. Raft deep in a canyon full of past and present mining history.
Highlights include rapids like Tunnel Chute, Kanaka Falls, Chunder, and Parallel Parking. And a delicious deli lunch in a superb setting.