The Best Whitewater Rafting in The Nation
California is legendary for outdoor recreation and opportunities for adventure, and for good reason: with over 800 miles of rugged coastline, national parks galore, mountain ranges, rivers, and deserts, there is something for everyone.
California is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the nation, with steep, technical rivers winding through deep canyons offering unparalleled scenery and experience. Ranging from the Cal Salmon near the Oregon border to the Kern river in Southern California, whitewater rafting is found up and down the state.
Our favorite place for whitewater rafting is right in the heart of the state, on the South Fork of the American River. Centrally located just an hour from Sacramento, it’s also a short drive from the San Francisco Bay area. It’s been a popular destination for adventure-seekers from Southern California for decades as well. Only a couple of hours from Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, it’s the perfect addition to a family road trip around the state.
River Runners is proud to offer one and two-day trips on the class II-III South Fork of the American River for groups of all types and sizes. The South Fork of the America River is fed by snowmelt from the majestic Sierra Nevada, and descends into the Coloma-Lotus valley where gold was originally found by James Marshall in 1848.
The very same location that sparked the California Gold Rush and changed history forever is now the home to the towns of Coloma and Lotus, where our campsite is located within the beautiful Camp Lotus.
Bring your family and friends to join us for an unparalleled experience on the South Fork of the American River, where our expert guides take their time to show you all the wonders this river has to offer. Let your worries and stresses melt away as you splash through class II and III rapids, swim through gentle riffles and pick blackberries to your heart’s content. Our passion is providing the trip that you want to have, be it high-adventure thrills, or a more laid-back experience.
If you’re traveling from afar, we recommend a two-day camping and rafting trip with us. Camp in our relaxing and lush campsite next to the river while we take care of your meals, tents, and logistics.
South Fork Two-Day Trip
Relax, unwind, and unplug with River Runners' premier two-day whitewater rafting adventure on the South Fork of the American River.
This trip combines the Chili Bar and Gorge rafting sections of the South Fork of the American River to give you a memorable and inspiring California whitewater rafting experience. Two-day whitewater rafting trips with River Runners include two nights of camping at our private campsite within Camp Lotus, tent rentals, five meals prepared with love and fresh ingredients, and two days of rafting.