Take a Virtural Tour South Fork American River Map Campgrounds Outfitters Reservoirs

Many outfitters offer special discounted family trips, group rates, luxury camping facilities and even the possibility of a combination wine tasting / river rafting adventure! Check out El Dorado County's new goldrush - whitewater rafting -today!

Visit the El Dorado County Parks and Recreation Department for more information regarding the River Management Plan - www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/parks/

The South Fork of the American River has something for everyone. It is the most popular introductory whitewater river in the western United States, yet it also satisfies experienced rafters with numerous Class III rapids. As one of the original outfitters to operate on the South Fork, we have developed the widest variety of trips to accommodate our guests.

Tucked away in the Sierra foothills, the South Fork American is located just 35 miles east of Sacramento. This river offers diversity... classic scenery, narrow rocky gorges, peaceful calms, and over 50 rapids! Whitewater rafting on the South Fork draws people to the very same Coloma Valley where James Marshall discovered gold in 1848. The river is divided into two runs, an Upper run and a Lower run. Both are unique and rewarding. The South Fork is a dam controlled river with water flows from April through November.

Rafting Trip Suggestions:

One-day Upper trips start in the depths of a rugged forested canyon. Rafters have just enough time to warm-up before facing the longest rapid on the river, Meat Grinder! The whitewater excitement keeps our attention until the last big challenge... a wild S-turn ride down a twisted chute known as Trouble Maker Rapid! After a scrumptious lunch, the river mellows to a peaceful float through Coloma Valley to Lotus where the trip ends.

One-day Lower trips begin near Coloma, with plenty of Class I and II warm up rapids before the river drops out of the Valley. After lunch, rocky canyon walls close in around us and you encounter the more demanding Class III whitewater of the "Gorge." Challenges such as Fowler's Rock, Satan's Cesspool, Hospital Bar, and Recovery Room rapids carry our rafts swiftly towards Folsom Lake ... ending the trip.

Two-day Camp trip. Raft the Upper run on the first day and the Lower run on the second day. Relax in the beauty and solitude of camp nestled between steep, rolling hills and mammoth oaks. Secluded beaches, a sand volleyball court, fabulous camp cuisine, and an evening under the stars make "roughing it" truly enjoyable!

Two-day Car Access Camp trip. Raft the Upper run on one of the two days, and the Lower run on the other day. Spend the evening at camp, with hot showers, flush toilets, a camp store, and car access.

Half-day trips are usually available also. These faster trips last approximately four to five hours with a morning session rafting the Upper section and the afternoon session rafting the Lower section.

Whole River trips are one lengthy twenty-mile day on the river, rafting both the Upper and Lower runs. A lunch stop is made at Lotus, but not for too long as the whitewater of the "Gorge" awaits!

Get your picture on the river .. www.rapidshooters.com

Page last updated: Thursday, December 19, 2002 4:09 PM