South Fork of the American
River Rafting
The South Fork American River is one of the  most popular rivers for whitewater rafting in California, and for good reason. When other raft trips in California have dried up, South Fork American River rafting trips are still providing an exciting and fun time. Great water
releases are guaranteed and rafting trips are available from April
into October. The
South Fork American River flows through the green and gold foothills of California's Gold Rush
Country and has many memorable rapids. Rafting on this fork of the American River has served as an introduction to California rafting for
countless beginners, but it is also exciting enough
to lure many back year after year. There is a run suitable for nearly everyone,
including families, corporate groups and youth groups.
We are resuming our rafting trips in early April, and expecting an incredible season. How about a gift of adventure with a Rafting Gift Certificate for someone special this Valentines Day, or for any other occasion? Check
our HOT
DEALS for great discounts on South Fork American River rafting trips into early June.
South Fork American River Rafting - Gorge
‘Lower’ raft trip:
On our 1 day, 13 mile "Gorge" rafting
adventure, we meet at our camp at 10:30 am and transport you to the put-in at
the Hwy 49 bridge. The pace is fairly gentle to start, with some Class 2 rapids
to warm up on, and the guides give paddling instruction. We pull into camp for
lunch, and after a great spread prepared by your talented river guides, we
launch again. The rafts then enter the steep granite canyon known as the
'Gorge' and the rapids occur frequently, with Fowler's Rock, the Class 3+
Satan's Cesspool, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and numerous milder but fun
rapids. Our lower South Fork American River rafting trip ends at Folsom Lake where you are served with
ice cold drinks and we return the group to the meeting location, usually by
5:00 p.m. This raft trip can also be run as a 9 mile, ½ day
express run, from 1:00 - 5:00 pm, which omits the first 4 miles and
does not include lunch.
South Fork American River Rafting - Lotus Run (for
younger kids & seniors):
This short, 4 mile Class 2 only section can be run by
kids as young as 4 yrs and can include those with disabilities, or feeling
their age (or just plain nervous). See
Lotus
Run page for full description.
South Fork American River Rafting - Chili Bar
‘Upper’ raft trip:
This 11 mile 1 day "Upper" or "Chili
Bar" rafting trip, meets at our camp at 8:45 am and we transport your
group to the upper reaches of the South Fork American River near Placerville.
The rafting action begins quickly with the Class 3 Meatgrinder rapid and
continues for the next 5+ miles with Racehorse Bend, Rock Garden, Triple
Threat, the Class 3+ Troublemaker and others. The river slows after this and we
usually stop at the Marshal Gold Discovery State Historic Park. You can check
out some of the park exhibits while your guides prepare lunch. We continue on
rafting down to our camp, usually arriving around 2:30 pm. This trip is also
available as a ½ day express run from 8:45 - 1:00 pm,
with no stops and no lunch.
South Fork American River Rafting - 21 mile 'Whole
River' raft trip:
The entire South Fork American River is usually run in
2 days, but we also offer this trip as a long 1 day "whole
river" option. It includes the 2 sections above and meets at 8:45 am.
Lunch is served at our riverside camp and we return to the camp at approx. 5:00
- 5:30 p.m. This is a particularly great run during higher spring
flows.
.
South Fork American River Rafting - 2 day raft
trip:
The 2 day trip covers more than 21 miles and includes
riverside camping and 4 meals. We meet you on the first morning after
breakfast, usually at 10:30 am. The river can be run 'top to bottom', but the
usual sequence is to run the lower 'Gorge' run on the first day and the upper
'Chili Bar' run on the 2nd day. This allows us to meet you a little later on
the first day and allows for an earlier departure time on the second day. This
may be important if you have to travel any distance to get to the river. The
times are also scheduled to catch the best flows on the South Fork American River, created by the release of
water from the upstream dams. This trip is offered on selected dates as a
family special where youths raft at 1/2 price.
In the
evening, you will have time to set-up camp, swim, play volleyball,
check out the photos in nearby Coloma, or simply relax with a cold drink while
your guides prepare your meal. Dinner will normally be served around 7:30 pm
and appetizers are available, usually vegetables & dips; cheese &
crackers; and chips & salsa. A cooler of drinks and a moderate amount of
wine are also provided. The main course will normally consist of barbecued
chicken and/or tri-tip steak, baked potatoes, mixed salad, corn and garlic
bread. However much is consumed; everyone still finds room for our Dutch oven
baked desserts served with whipped cream. The photos will be available to view
in camp and you can relax by the camp fire.
Next morning, you will wake to the aroma
of coffee brewing and while the guides prepare breakfast, personal camping gear
can be packed. Breakfast will normally be served around 8:00 am and consists of
either pancakes or eggs and hash browns with sausage or bacon, fresh fruit,
pastries, orange juice, milk, tea and coffee. We will usually depart from camp
by 9:00 am for our put-in on the 'Chili Bar' run. You will be greeted with ice
cold drinks back at camp, before departing on your homeward journey from your
California whitewater adventure.
.
We serve lunch
on all our 1 day trips (Gorge, Chili Bar or Whole River) and also both
days of our 2 day trips. Our usual lunch will consist of a deli-style spread
with a selection of breads, meats and cheeses, or a pita sandwich. Tomatoes,
avocados, lettuce, sprouts, chips and salsa, fresh fruit, cookies, vegetables
& dip are included. On 2 day trips, a pita bread lunch with chicken salad
is very popular. We are glad to
accommodate any special dietary needs.
Professional
photographer's film at several major rapids on the South Fork American
river and usually have proofs ready to view within a couple of hours in nearby
Coloma, or in camp on an overnight trip. See our photography link page for more detailed information.
Our meeting
location for all of the South Fork American River rafting
trips is at our camp in the Coloma/Lotus area and will start with an
orientation & safety talk. Life jackets will be fitted and paddling
instruction given. Each raft will be manned by a professional, skilled river
guide.
Camping and additional American River Rafting
trips:
To extend your stay, camping can be
arranged before or after any of our South Fork
 American River rafting trips, or if
you think you might be ready for a step up in excitement after a day or so,
consider the South Fork American/Middle Fork
American Combo where you can spend from 1-3 days on the Middle Fork
American. In the spring you can also combine with the North Fork American River for
yet another exciting day.
NOTICE:
Water flows in the South Fork American River result from releases from
hydroelectric facilities located upstream. Such water releases are not subject
to the control of El Dorado County or commercial rafting companies operating
under permit from the County of El Dorado.
Class: 3
Length: 9,
13 or 21 mile runs in 1/2 - 2 Days, April - Oct
Elevation:
930 ft
Location: Just off Highway 49 between Placerville
and Auburn
Distances/Times for travel to the South Fork American
River:
|
15 mins/12
miles N. of Placerville
15 mins/12 miles N. of Placerville
20 mins/15
miles S. of Auburn
2 ¼ hrs/134 miles NE of San Francisco
1 hr/(53
miles E. of Sacramento
45 mins/31 miles E of Roseville
43 mins/32 miles E
of Folsom
2 ½ hrs/164 miles NE of San Jose
1 ¾ hrs/98 miles
N. of Stockton
2 hrs/115 miles SE of Chico
1 ¾ hrs/72 miles W of
S. Lake Tahoe
1 ½ hrs/82 miles SW of Truckee
1 hr 54 mins/(114
miles SW. of Reno
4+ hrs/152 miles NW of El Portal/Yosemite |
PLEASE ALLOW
EXTRA TIME DURING BUSY HOLIDAY PERIODS
Please click on
the area map below for a more detailed map and directions to the South Fork
American River.
American River Rafting - The South Fork American
River
South Fork
American Rafting - Area Information
South Fork American
Rafting - Map and Directions
Other options for
2 or more days for the more adventurous:
South Fork
American/Middle Fork American River Combo
South
Fork American/North Fork American River Combo
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