WHITEWATER RAFTING

Two-Day South Fork Trips

A Great Family River, Perfect for the First-Time Rafter, and a Quick Weekend Getaway
"We had the best time on the South Fork. The guides were just fabulous in taking good care of us, sharing their knowledge of the river environment and just having fun!" N.K., Anaheim

Adventure Connection rates the South Fork of the American River as the best river in California for both first-time and more experienced rafters. As the premier dam controlled river in California, the South Fork is a consistent Class III intermediate whitewater river, and it has become the most popular vacation for individuals, families, groups of friends and company recreation trips. Because of its abundant dam-controlled releases, it is available daily from April through September. The river offers a wide range of adventures, with over 50 exciting rapids interspersed with calm, slower stretches where you can enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery and each other's company.

The South Fork's many whitewater rapids are perfect for learning and practicing the paddle skills of whitewater rafting. Each 13 or 14-foot self-bailing raft usually has a crew of four to seven paddlers, and an experienced guide at the back of the boat who steers the raft and instructs the crew in basic paddle strokes, in order to power the raft through the rapids as a team. Under the paddle captain's guidance, set up for each approaching rapid, paddle hard to make it through safely, and sit back to laugh and relax with each successful, wet run of an exciting rapid.

Melting snow from the High Sierras creates this 21-mile whitewater river in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near Coloma on Highway 49, one hour east of Sacramento. The water is clear and cool; the air is clean and warm - the perfect setting for a fun, exciting adventure. The river environment is home to a multitude of fish, birds, and other wildlife. The scenery alternates between rolling green and golden hills and long rocky gorges with many oaks and pines along the riverbank.

Trip Details

Day 1:
On the morning of the first day, meet for a river orientation and safety talk. Then you and your other crewmembers will board your boat at the campsite put-in and practice basic paddle strokes with your guide before setting out to raft the lower 11 miles of the river known as the "Gorge Run".

Before lunch, the river winds through rolling hills and the rapids are fun and easy - a good chance to warm up and get to know your crew and guide. Stop midday for a delicious deli-style lunch on the riverbank, and then it's off to the bigger rapids in the lower section of the Gorge run. By the end of the day, you'll have rafted some of the most fun rapids in California.

Drive back to camp where you can shower, relax, and play while your guides prepare dinner. After dinner, enjoy a hilarious slide show of each of the boats negotiating Satan's Cesspool, one of the bigger exciting rapids of the day. Then gather around a roaring campfire to end the evening in the glow of a day well spent.

Day 2:
The second day after a nutritious breakfast, drive up to the start of the upper ten miles of the river known as the "Chili Bar" section. The river starts right out in some big Class III rapids, and you're ready for them after yesterday's run. Tackle the exciting Meatgrinder rapid, followed by Triple Threat, Racehorse Bend and Troublemaker, thought by some to be the biggest rapid on the river. Then float into a calmer stretch to enjoy the beautiful scenery and laugh about the excitement and adrenaline rush of the morning's rapids.

Beach the boats back at the campsite in the early afternoon and have a big barbecue lunch. Saying goodbye to your guide and other crewmembers before departing for other adventures is the last event of a glorious two-day adventure.

Your trip includes camping at AC's South Fork camp the night prior to your trip. You may come into camp anytime after 5:00pm, set up your campsite, and enjoy the evening. You may wish to eat before reaching camp as dinner is not included the first evening.

The next morning your trip begins with breakfast and check-in at 8:00am. You will not need to pack your camping gear as you return to this same camp at the end of the day.