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Basics
- Location:
- Lake Tahoe to Sacramento
- River:
- American River
- Class:
- Class II - V
- River Length
- Up to 20 miles
- Time:
- Over 4 days
- Season:
- April to October
Description
Some rivers are wild and some are gentle and some are an exciting hybrid of both. The American River is a hybrid. Although its forks are never so gentle as to be a float trip, a beginning rafter won't be intimidated away. Conversely, the most experienced of experienced rafters won't be disappointed.
The American River has three forks, which flow out wide from their source. The South Fork is the most popular river-run west of the Rocky Mountains, and is also the least difficult of the forks to raft - which is never to say boring. The Middle Fork is a fork for intermediate rafters, but occasionally and famously gets very intense. The North Fork is an experts-only river-run, notable for its beauty - and its brutality.
The Lower American, where the forks converge, flows quietly alongside Sacramento. If swimming or wading a river is appealing after a day of frantic steering, the Lower American certainly doesn't get fast enough to raft.
North Fork - Giant Gap
The famous Giant Gap 14-mile run of the even more famous North Fork American River is one of California's top whitewater challenges, for experts only. Cliffs tower 2,000 feet above the river. Parts of this Class V run are so rough that you might end up believing that some of those 2,000 foot cliffs are under the water.
Middle Fork
Rafters run the entire stretch of the Middle Fork American River in crystal clear water, alternating between mile Class I and II, and a few scattered III and IV rapids. The highlight of the Middle Fork is Tunnel Chute, a 90 foot tunnel blasted by gold rush miners.
South Fork
With nothing above a class III, the South Fork of the American river is the most popular stretch, and a several day trip along the fork's length explores some of the most rugged and diverse landscapes in the Sierra Nevadas. The South Fork is a standard for California whitewater rafting.
Tour Companies
American River Recreation
- Sierra Nevada Rivers
- Rafting
- 800-333-7238
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions
- Near Yosemite / Kings Canyon / Sequoia
- Rafting
- 800-431-3636
Tributary Whitewater Tours
- Many California Rivers
- Rafting
- 800-672-3846
Whitewater Connection
- Northern California
- Kayaking, Rafting
- 800-336-7238
Whitewater Excitement
- American & Merced River
- Kayaking, Rafting
- 800-750-2386
Helpful Links
Tour Companies
American River Recreation
- Sierra Nevada Rivers
- Rafting
- 800-333-7238
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions
- Near Yosemite / Kings Canyon / Sequoia
- Rafting
- 800-431-3636
Tributary Whitewater Tours
- Many California Rivers
- Rafting
- 800-672-3846
Whitewater Connection
- Northern California
- Kayaking, Rafting
- 800-336-7238
Whitewater Excitement
- American & Merced River
- Kayaking, Rafting
- 800-750-2386
Setting:
Class:
River Length
Time
1/4 day to 2 days
Season:
Nearest Town
Guides Available?
Customizable Directions
| Formatted Directions | Map |




American River Recreation has been leading
river trips in California's Sierra Nevada mountains for over 30 years. The professionalism of our expert guides brings letters of praise again and again from
whitewater enthusiasts. Our trips are meticulously organized and smoothly executed. Equipment is first-rate, meals are delicious and passengers safety is foremost. Over 150,000 happy guests!
The best of California whitewater rafting is what you will find at Zephyr Whitewater. Since 1973, we have offered exceptional California whitewater trips on the Kings, Tuolumne, Merced, and American rivers, all near Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. Our California whitewater rafting trips are great for families, for the first-timer rafter, and for the advanced thrill seeker.
Tributary Whitewater Tours has been safely guiding California whitewater rafting and American River rafting trips since 1978 and offers something for all levels. Choose from California rafting trips suitable for kids that make great family vacations, to extreme California white water rafting adventures for the expert, and everything in between.
Join Whitewater Connection for a rafting adventure on some of the most exciting rivers in California. The South Fork of the American River, located in the heart of Northern California, is the setting for our 1/2 day, 1-day, & 2-day whitewater rafting trips. Also offer trips on Middle & North Forks of the American River, Upper Klamath, Cal Salmon & Kaweah.
Since 1978, we are the American River rafting and California white water rafting experts! We offer 1/2 to 3-day river rafting trips for beginners to experienced rafters, with “Best in Class” standards of safety, service, pricing, and quality on 4 of California’s finest rivers; South Fork American, Middle Fork American, North Fork American, and the Merced River. Check our website for WEEKLY RAPID DEALS!
