FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
2-Day Rafting and Camping FAQs
Meals include:
- Welcome Breakfast: Omelets, bacon, bagels, fruit, coffee, tea, orange juice.
- Deli Lunch: Turkey and ham, a variety of cheese, fresh vegetables, abundant condiments, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonade, and iced water.
- Dinner: Tri-tip, chicken, fish, salad bar, baked potatoes, zucchini, rolls, brownies, ice cream, beer/wine, sodas.
- Second Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and orange juice.
- Chili Bar Lunch: Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, vegetables, watermelon, chips, cookies, iced lemonade, iced water.
View our full menu page here.
Each group gets 1 tent per 2 people. You will need to bring your own pillow, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. If you prefer a cot or air mattress, the tents are spacious and can accommodate most standard cots and air mattresses. We have electric outlets available in our dining area that can be used to inflate air mattresses.
We expect members of a group to share a tent. This ensures that we have enough space and resources. We never require people to share tents with members of another group. If you require your own tent, please consider bringing your own. Occasionally, we provide solo tents for an additional fee. Please contact us for details.
Check-in for two-day rafting & camping trips is anytime after 4:00 PM on your arrival date.
Check-out for two-day rafting & camping trips is by 3:00 PM on your departure date.
It is very common for our guests to arrive late in the evening. Please give us a call or text at 530-622-5110 to let us know of your ETA so we can plan accordingly.
If arriving past 6-7 PM, the Camp Lotus check-in desk may be closed. If so, drive past the check-in building and all the way to the back of the campground to the River Runners camp area.
We will provide you with parking passes in the morning, and there will be written instructions for where to find your tents when you arrive. Please be mindful if arriving late that quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM.
Generally, no, since our campsite spots are very busy, especially during peak season. Please call us at 530-622-5110 or email us at info@riverrunnersusa.com if you have a specific situation which would affect your check-in/out times and we can discuss.
You should bring:
On the river: Long-sleeved cotton shirt, leggings (for sun protection), hat, sunglasses, water-resistant camera, water bottle, sunblock, lip balm, medications.
Camping: Towel, comfortable clothes, sweater for chilly mornings, pillow, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooler for food/drinks, mosquito repellent.
Check out our “Get Prepared” page for more extensive information on what to bring on your trip.
No, dinner is not provided on your arrival night, but there are many wonderful local restaurants within a 5-minute drive of our camp.
No, our two-day South Fork camping & rafting trip is not a wilderness experience. You will camp in beautiful Camp Lotus in the River Runners campsite and have access to flush toilets, private hot showers, cell phone service, and hot catered meals from our commercial kitchen during your stay.
River Runners can host up to 70 people camping.
Rafting FAQs
Meals included in your trip depend on your booking.
- Full Day Gorge: Deli Lunch on the river
- Full Day Chili Bar: BBQ Lunch at camp directly after the trip
- Gorge Express: No lunch is included.
- Chili Bar Express: No Lunch is included.
- Standard two-day camping & rafting trip: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your first day of rafting, breakfast and lunch on your second day.
The minimum age to book a class III rafting trip is 6. The maximum age depends on the individual, please call us at 530-622-5110 or email us at info@riverrunnersusa.com to discuss your specific situation.
The minimum age to book a class IV rafting trip is 14. The maximum age depends on the individual, please call us at 530-622-5110 or email us at info@riverrunnersusa.com to discuss your specific situation.
2 nights of camping are included in the 2-day rafting trip at River Runners' site within Camp Lotus. Camping is not included in the price of our full-day or half-day trips.
Please contact us if you would like to add a night of camping to your reservation.
The length of the trip varies depending on which trip you have booked. Approximate trip times are listed on each trip’s page, but can vary depending on conditions and the group’s needs.
Half-day trips do not include lunch, and are generally shorter than the full-day trips.
River Runners provides a quality adventure experience, professional guides, and well-equipped camping at Camp Lotus. We are focused on your personal experience. Our passion is to help you enjoy everything these rivers have to offer from start to finish.
We do not currently offer a standard class II trip, but give us a call at 530-622-5110 or shoot us an email at info@riverrunnersusa.com and we can discuss the particular needs of your group.
No, you do not need to be able to swim to go rafting. We are quite experienced with taking guests rafting that do not swim. All guests are equipped with an approved life jacket (Personal Flotation Device) and a safety briefing before embarking on the trip. Your guides work as whitewater life guards, staying attentive to ensure your safety.
River Runners does not require guests to wear helmets on our class III trips, but helmets are available for any guest upon request. Helmets are required on class IV trips.
Can I go rafting if I am pregnant?
We may be able to accommodate pregnant guests, please call us at 530-622-5110 or email at info@riverrunnersusa.com so we can discuss your particular circumstances if you are a pregnant guest considering booking with us.
Wetsuits are rarely required. We may recommend them for cold weather. River Runners will advise if they are necessary for your trip, and if so we will offer them free of charge. Generally, wetsuits are discouraged during the summer season due to typically high ambient temperatures in the area. You are always welcome to bring your own.
The temperature of the American river can range from 50°F to 65°F depending on the time of year. It may sound cold but it is extremely refreshing and welcome during hot Northern California summers when ambient temperatures can be 110°F. You are not required to swim on River Runners trips but we provide plenty of opportunities and encouragement to do so.
If you had a fun and exciting experience, you are encouraged to tip your guide. The exact amount is up to your discretion but the average tip is 15%-20% of the purchase price.
We can facilitate tipping our guides via credit card, and many guides also have personal Venmo or Zelle accounts. Make sure to connect with your guide after your trip if you would like to offer a tip.
This depends on the size of your group. We guarantee groups of 5 to 8 a chartered raft with their own guide. If your group is just 4 or less participants, we may pair you with another small group. Boat assignments are at the discretion of management and decisions will be made based on safety and comfort.
Yes, we do allow the use of personal equipment at times. You will need to present your personal equipment to management to confirm that it fulfills all safety requirements.
Food FAQs
River Runners prides itself on the quality of its food. While we may not earn a Michelin star, we aim to provide camp food that surpasses everyone’s expectations. Fresh is our motto: freshly bought, freshly prepared, freshly served. We rarely use a microwave. We don’t own a deep-fat fryer. And we never use food warmers. When we say come and get it, we mean it.
View our full menu here.
Absolutely! Our meals are naturally designed to accommodate as many dietary preferences and allergies as possible. We set out an array of items, and you combine them on your plate as you like. Want a vegetarian sandwich? Bypass the meat selection, and add extra cheese and avocado to your bread. Don’t like bacon or butter? No problem! Have it your way, and someone else will enjoy the extra. We offer plant-based options at all meals upon request, including fresh avocado, tofu scramble, and veggie burgers. Please call, text, or email us to discuss your specific needs.
Some, but not all dietary needs can be catered to. Please contact us via call, email, or text to discuss your specific needs. The further ahead of the trip that we are notified of your needs, the better we are able to help you.
There are no cooking, refrigeration, or other kitchen facilities available for guest use at the River Runners camp. The Camp Lotus camp store does sell ice to refresh your coolers throughout your stay.
Alcohol is never allowed on the raft, and drinking prior to the rafting experience is highly discouraged. We will not be able to take you rafting if you are intoxicated.
Alcohol consumption is allowed in our camp. Please feel free to enjoy your beverages of choice while you stay with us. And please remember to be moderate so that other campers can enjoy their stay too.
Weather FAQs
In hot weather, bring a long-sleeved cotton shirt and leggings for sun protection. In cold weather, wear synthetic or wool clothing, like fleece or wool sweaters and socks.
Please refer to our “Get Prepared” page for more details.
In the summer season (June 15-September 15), daytime temperatures often exceed 100°F. Don’t worry, the water is refreshing and a great way to stay comfortable. In the spring and fall, temperatures vary a lot. Be sure to check the weather forecast before packing for your trip. It always helps to pack extra clothes just in case.
The Coloma-Lotus Valley can experience high temperatures in summer, but there is no better place to be than a cool Sierra Nevada foothills river when the rest of the state is suffering a heat wave.
Temperatures typically cool significantly overnight in our campsite even during severe heat waves, ensuring comfortable sleeping temperatures for overnight trips.
Reservation and Booking FAQs
Yes. We encourage all groups to pay in full when making a reservation, but we do allow deposits to help groups get the ball rolling. All deposits are non-refundable. All trips must be paid in full 30 days prior to your arrival date. Please contact us for details specific to your event.
In general, no. Our trips are customized events. As soon as you make a reservation, we begin preparations. Also, many trip dates sell out, and your reservation precludes us from selling that space to others. Occasionally, we will allow a trip to be rescheduled. Please contact us directly if something comes up and we will try to accommodate your needs.
We suggest finding someone to take over your reservation if you cannot attend as planned. All tickets are transferable to another person. We do not issue cash refunds, and trip credit is not issued if cancellations are initiated less than 30 days prior to the scheduled trip.
If you need to cancel a trip you will receive credit for a future raft trip with River Runners based on the following schedule:
For cancellations made 30 days or more before the trip, you will receive 100% trip credit. For cancellations made 0-29 days before the trip, you will receive no trip credit.
View our full cancellation policy here.
No, we do not issue cash refunds for any cancellations.
Generally, we do not offer a discount for children or scouts. However, we often have trip dates we are trying to fill. If there is flexibility in your schedule, contact us and we may be able to work with you.
All minors need to have a release of liability form filled out by a parent or guardian prior to arrival if that parent or guardian will not be present at check-in.
We have paper waivers available at check-in for all other guests, so printing and signing the waiver beforehand is not required.
No, all parking fees are covered when your reservation is paid in full.
River Runners does not provide photos. A sub-contractor occasionally operates on our trips and they will take your photos and offer them for purchase. Also, there is one company that takes photos at some of the major rapids. You can contact them here: www.hotshotimaging.com
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is about 60 minutes from our camp. We recommend directing your flights there. If you need ground transportation, we recommend renting a car. Rideshare services are often available from the airport to camp, but it can be difficult to summon a vehicle to pick you up from camp to get back to the airport.
You can contact River Runners in the following ways:
- Email us at info@riverrunnersusa.com
- Give us a call at 530-622-5110, 7 days a week from 8 AM - 8 PM
- Shoot us a text at 530-622-5110, 7 days a week any time of day.
Group Organizer FAQs
River Runners can take groups as large as 90 people. Please contact us to insure that there is space on your desired dates before organizing your group.
Depending on the needs of your group, we have several options.
If booking months in advance, a deposit can be placed to secure your reservation.
A deposit of $60 per person per day of activities can be placed by individuals or families in your group, or can be done as a lump sum on a single credit card or check.
We accept credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. We cannot accept PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay over the phone.
We have several options for campsites depending on the size of your group. On weekends, you will likely share our main campsite with other groups, but we will not intermingle groups within the campsite. All groups will eat together in our communal dining area.
If you would like to add a third day of camping to your 2-day reservation, or a single night of camping before or after your one-day trip, please contact us via phone, email, or text. Availability is dependent on your trip dates and size of your group.
Some scout trips opt to book a two-day rafting and camping merit badge trip with us and provide their own food and tents. Please contact us to discuss your scout group’s needs.
It is common for groups to arrive late in the evening due to traffic or scheduling requirements. Please use the contact links at the top of this page to let us know of your estimated arrival time the day of your scheduled check-in so that we can give you specific instructions.
Reservations are transferable to a different party if someone encounters a circumstance that will prevent them from attending. We encourage the individuals that are dropping out of the group to find a replacement to attend the trip in their spot. We do not issue cash refunds.
View our full cancellation policy here.
We do not require chaperones or a specific number of adults to attend youth trips, adult supervision requirements are up to the discretion of the group organizers or the rules of the organization sanctioning the trip.
Camp Lotus FAQs
Camp Lotus is located in Coloma, California. The address is 5461 Bassi Road, Lotus, California 95651.
Camp Lotus is a private family-owned and operated campground situated right next to the South Fork of the American River. You can expect to camp on beautiful green lawns and under the stars with very little light pollution where you will be surrounded by native trees and plants. The sound of the river will lull you to sleep after a long day of fun on the river. Camp Lotus maintains strict quiet hours between 10 PM and 8 AM to foster a sense of peace and family-friendly connection.
Yes, Camp Lotus has flush toilets and private hot showers.
AT&T and Verizon have strong signals in our area. Wifi is available at the Camp Lotus store, a short walk from our campsite, but there is no wifi available in our camp.
No, dogs are strictly prohibited within Camp Lotus due to safety concerns for campers and the dogs themselves.
River Runners provides space for all passenger vehicles. In general, we do not have space to accommodate any type of trailer, camper van or RV.
We operate in Camp Lotus where RV and trailer sites are available for booking separately. Call Camp Lotus at (530) 622-8672 or reserve online at www.camplotus.com. Camp Lotus RV and cabin reservations are separate from River Runners reservations so please make sure to let the River Runners reservation office know if you have separate overnight accommodations.
Yes, you can book cabin lodging at Camp Lotus via www.camplotus.com. Cabins sell out quickly, especially on summer weekends, so make reservations early!
You will share the campsite with other River Runners guests, but it is reserved for River Runners participants only. Your group’s tents will be arranged separately from other groups inside our campsite.
Campfires are prohibited at Camp Lotus during the burn season ban set by El Dorado County. This is generally from June through September but may fluctuate depending on conditions. Camp Lotus does allow propane campfires year-round and sells Radiate portable fire pits at the camp store.
For more questions about Camp Lotus, visit: https://www.camplotus.com/copy-of-rates
Are you ready to book your trip today?
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