Raft in pristine waters...
Our North Fork full day rafting trip offers some of the most exciting and elusive whitewater California has to offer.
North Fork Full Day Itinerary:
After meeting with your guides and receiving a safety briefing and equipment, your expert guides will slide your boats into the snowmelt to begin your North Fork full day adventure!
This river trip isn't for the faint of heart! Imagine, just a quarter mile downstream from the put-in, an ancient landslide chokes an already narrow canyon. A giant dead tree trunk hangs over a must-make slot. Scattered boulders encumber the line of sight so much that your guide is relying on memory and instinct to navigate. And that's just the beginning, for this is the gateway to a consistent section of whitewater with big name features like Chamberlain Falls, Tongue & Groove, Zig Zag, Achilles Heel, Bogus Thunder, The Wall, Grand Slalom, and Staircase.
All days on the North Fork are excellent. If the water is fast, we may pull over and hike up a creek, or lounge in the sun on rocks to warm up. If the water is slow, we drift with the current, enjoying its hypnotic effect. On all trips we stop for lunch somewhere along the way, a fresh deli lunch spread prepared by your guides during a welcome break from the excitement.
After navigating this exhilarating canyon, you will end your North Fork full day trip by arriving at the take-out area where a van will be waiting to take you back to the meeting point.
Looking for something else to do in the area? Auburn State Recreation Area gets more than 1 million visitors a year, and for good reason. There is an ample supply of space for swimming, hiking, forest bathing, and even mountain biking. Check out their website here.
Or, if you are looking for a cultural attraction, try visiting Nevada City. It was an important Gold Rush town and it continues to showcase that legacy. Check out their Chamber of Commerce website.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Class IV
- Minimum Age: 14-years-old
- Season: April - June
- River Miles/Distance: 9 miles
- Trip Duration: 7.5 hours (dependent on river flows)
- Check In: 8:30 AM (dependent on river flows)
- Check Out: 4 PM (dependent on river flows)
- Trip Cost: $180 per person
- Lunch is included
- Taxes and fees are included
- Guide gratuity is not included
Booking Notes
- The minimum age we will take on this trip is 14-years-old
- This North Fork of the American River trip is not recommended for those who have not first completed a class II-III trip, such as our South Fork Gorge or Chili Bar trip
- North Fork of the American River trips are offered as soon as there is enough snow melting to create the river itself. The season generally starts in late March, and ends in late May.
North Fork of the American River
- Class IV
- 9 miles of exciting and elusive whitewater on an undammed river which only runs in the springtime.
- Full day trips available.
- Season: Late March - early June. NOTE: NF American River trips are offered as soon as there is enough snow melting to create the river itself. The season generally starts in April, and ends by early June.
- Minimum age: 14-years-old
- Trips start at $180 per person
- Ideal for experienced rafting enthusiasts looking for an exciting and challenging day of rafting.
Are you ready to book this trip today?
View our calendar and check availability.