Best rafting trip for families with young kids – ages 4+ Close to Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area Mellow rapids Secluded wilderness setting Inflatable Kayak rentals typically available All summer long! From Mid-May thru the end of September

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Trips Close to Sacramento and San Francisco

- Rafting for Families starting at Ages 4+ -

Middle Fork American – Run the Famed “Tunnel Chute”

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More Lower Middle Fork American River Trips

Lower Middle Fork American River- 1/2 Day Rafting Trip

Q: What Gear Do You Provide?

Included with this trip: PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket) Paddle Helmet Professional raft guide for each raft Shuttle to/from meeting location

Q: What Gear Should I Bring?

Required Items: Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle (filled with ice water) shoes (no flip flops) Suggested Items: sunglasses (with a strap) baseball hat sunscreen Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink) DO NOT BRING: Wallets Expensive jewelry Pets

Auburn, CA /

Half Day /

Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)

Monday – Friday

$99 per person

Saturdays & Sundays

$119 per person

The Lower Middle Fork American River is the perfect Class 2 rafting trip for families with younger kids ages 4+. We know – we are parents too!

This afternoon half day trip meets in Auburn, California, also a historic mining town, and known as the “Endurance Capital of the World”. It is a 7 mile wilderness trip that meanders thru the canyon walls in the Auburn State Recreation Area. Due to the upstream water releases we meet at noon and like to take our time on the river. There is plenty of opportunity for swimming and possibly doing a hike, fishing, or stopping for snacks (not included, but you are welcome to bring your own, alcoholic beverages are not permitted). There are several fun rapids along the way, but nothing more than a Class 2+ at regular flows. Making this the perfect trip for younger kids and others who want to explore this beautiful secluded canyon. We typically have you back to your vehicles by 5:00pm.

Inflatable Kayaks are a fantastic addition for groups with teens and adventurous adults, these are available for rent.

We also offer overnight camping at our South Fork American River where you can bring your own tent, or rent a Canvas Tent!

Trip Highlights

Best rafting trip for families with young kids – ages 4+
Close to Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area
Mellow rapids
Secluded wilderness setting
Inflatable Kayak rentals typically available
All summer long! From Mid-May thru the end of September

Trip Itinerary

Noon – Meet @ Crooked Lane Brewing Co in Auburn, CA (We meet in the afternoon, so be sure to have a good lunch before you arrive. )

We transport into the Middle Fork American Canyon. You will get glimpses of the river flowing far below as we descend. At the put-in you will receive personal flotation devices, paddles & helmets and pre-trip instruction. There is a professional river guide on each raft, and if you rented a kayak they will be giving instructions to those people as well.

Along this 7 mile river trip there are safe beach areas for us to stop along the way for picnicking and play, and possible side hikes with waterfalls at the end! Wildlife sightings are often and you may see ducks, deer, heron and fish. At certain times there are blackberry bushes offering the most amazing fruit, we will stop and pick some if we see them!

At the take-out the guides load the equipment and we shuttle you back to your original meeting location.

5:00pm Arrival back @ Crooked Lane where there is usually a food truck, and cold drinks for the entire family

River Map

Coming Soon!

Who Can Go On This Trip

Kids ages 4 and up
non-swimmers

Please note this is an afternoon trip and sometimes overlaps typical “nap times” for some of our younger rafters. For morning Class 2 trips please check out our South Fork American River Lotus Run.

What Gear Do You Provide?

Included with this trip:

PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
Paddle
Helmet
Professional raft guide for each raft
Shuttle to/from meeting location

What Gear Should I Bring?

Required Items:

Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle (filled with ice water)
shoes (no flip flops)

Suggested Items:

sunglasses (with a strap)
baseball hat
sunscreen
Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink)

DO NOT BRING:

Wallets
Expensive jewelry
Pets

Directions

Meeting Location

Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn, CA

Address: 536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA 95603

We have a reserved set of parking spaces located at Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn, CA. There are several ways to enter the parking lot, but we have found the easiest way is via Highway 49. Please park in these designated spaces to the right side of the building (looking from Highway 49 towards the large covered patio with the columns). Our staff member will also be there to greet you.

At the end of your rafting trip there are cold drinks and food available at Crooked Lane. Delivery is also available from most restaurants in town.

Get In Touch

Call Us: (530) 626-7385

Text Us: (760) 270-8112

Tributary Whitewater

Incredible River Experiences

We launch trips on many different rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. For questions give our main office a call – we would love to talk with you about our trips and rivers.

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the Rivers we run

Our vision is to create a sustainable and equitable reality where our rivers are enjoyed and protected, a place where families and friends can be inspired and challenged.

Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running rivers since we were first founded in 1978. Since we opened 40+ years ago we have expanded to include Adventure Connection, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, High Desert River Outfitters, Canyon Outfitters and are the parent company of Raft California and Raft Oregon. While some things have changed over the years, Tributary remains a family-run small business with the same passion for the river and the mission of leading others to experience it.

Tributary Whitewater Tours is a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service, the CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Nevada County, El Dorado County and Bureau of Land Management. Tributary Whitewater Tours is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.