One-Day South Fork Trips
The Gorge Run, 11 Miles with Lunch
Meet at the campsite just outside Coloma on Highway 49. Launch from this campsite into a fun and easy section of the river, with time to warm up and practice your paddling before hitting some of the bigger Class III rapids in the Gorge. This 11-mile run is fun and exciting, just perfect for a beginning whitewater experience! Enjoy a healthy and hearty lunch on the riverbank.
Tackle fun and challenging rapids like Satan's Cesspool, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room. At the end of the day, shuttle back to camp in an Adventure Connection vehicle, and you may take a shower, buy a souvenir t-shirt and say farewell to the new friends you've made.
The Chili Bar Run, 10 Miles with Lunch
Meet at the campsite just outside Coloma on Highway 49 and shuttle up to the top of the river canyon, where you begin the Chili Bar run. The river starts right out with exciting rapids so first-timers are ready for a thrill from the beginning. After you practice your paddle strokes, tackle fun and challenging rapids like Meatgrinder and Triple Threat, and finish off the big rapids with the excitement of Troublemaker. Enjoy the beauty of the river canyon stopping for lunch along the riverbank and take out at the camp in time for fond farewells.
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.
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