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North Yuba River - 2 Day Rafting Trip

Downieville, CA /

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PRICING
Weekdays
  • $349 – adults (all ages 14+)
Weekends
  • $369 – adults (all ages 14+)
Class 4 & 5 white water rafting and camping in Tahoe National Forest

Enjoy 2 amazing days of rafting on the North Yuba River. Our 2 day trip typically begins with the Maytag Run on the first day.  The second day runs will typically depend on flows. There are Class 5 runs on Moss Canyon and Rossosco Ravine (aka the Downieville Run), as well as the Class 4 Bullard’s Bar run from our camp down to the reservoir. Camping is at our Private camp in the Tahoe National Forest, this is a primitive camp with no amenities so be ready to rough it a bit.

Wetsuits are usually required for this trip and you are welcome to bring your own or rent one from us.

There are several Class 4 and 5 runs on the North Yuba River including the Maytag (aka Goodyears Bar), Moss Canyon, Rossosco Ravine, and Bullards Bar. The Maytag run is our most popular trip, although the trip will depend on client abilities, flows and weather. We also There is also an Expert run called Wild Plum that is sometimes available for return rafters who have been on Class 4+ with us before.

Maytag / Goodyear’s Bar Run:

  • 9 miles
  • Starts with Class 2-3+ rapids, many Class 4-4+ rapids to follow
  • Class 5 Maytag Rapid after lunch followed by Class 4+ Son of Maytag!

Bullard’s Bar Run:

  • 6 miles rafting (plus about 12 miles of boating on Bullard’s Bar Reservoir)
  • Class 3-4+ rapids
  • Beautiful Wilderness section!

Moss Canyon Run:

  • 6 miles
  • Continuous Class 4-5 action Two Pair & Ramshorn Rapids
  • 3 Class 5 rapids right after the other – Floss Moss, Toss Moss & the big one, Boss Moss!

Rosassco Ravine Run:

  • 4 miles
  • Continuous Class 4-5 whitewater excitement
  • Big Dummy Rapid

 

Overnight rafting trips on the North Yuba River are the perfect way to combine several Class 4-5+ white water runs! These trips are some of the best in Northern California. Certain runs are sometimes not available and it is all up to Mother Nature on that. If you are interested in getting more info on when a specific run is available please feel free to contact us!

The 2 day North Yuba River Rafting & Camping trip is great for Bachelor Parties! We are close to Lake Tahoe, Sacramento & San Francisco. We also offer 1 day North Yuba River Rafting Trips for those with less time.
TRIP INFORMATION
  • Exciting Whitewater: a great step up for experienced paddlers in good physical condition
  • Best technical whitewater in California, ready to thrill you with its challenges
  • An early spring-time whitewater adventure: a great transition into summer rafting fun
  • Several spectacular runs
  • Exciting wildlife and fishing possibilities
  • Uncrowded – only 3 commercial permits
  • Private camp nestled in the tall pines of Tahoe National Forest

Arrive the night before and stay in Downieville or camping nearby is the best option. The North Yuba is a great excuse to extend your weekend or make a vacation out of the experience.

Day 1

  • 9:00am meeting in Downieville, CA or 10:00am our private Yuba camp were you will meet your guides and jump on our shuttle van for a quick ride to the put-in location.
  • A safety talk and orientation is given at put in where you will receive your river gear including:
    • paddle
    • helmet
    • PFD
    • wetsuit
    • and splash jacket
  • We will launch our boats, practice paddling skills with our guides and head for the Class IV/V excitement!
  • Lunch is served riverside around noon
  • Followed by more rafting in the afternoon
  • We return to camp with time to enjoy the peace of the river over dinner & usually this time of year/fire danger will allow us to have a campfire

Day 2

  • Wake up in the tall pines of Tahoe National Forest where coffee & is ready early in the morning
  • We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and your guides will lay out the day ahead of you, going over what section you will run, and what to expect
  • Rafting from 10:00am (ish) to 3:00pm (depending on the section of river, Bullards Bar can require a long tow out)
  • Lunch provided mid-day

Due to the free flowing nature of the Yuba River, river flows will determine which sections are run. This is for safety reasons and we stop and scout rapids on the way to put-in as well as on river.

 

Coming Soon!

  • Return rafters
  • Active first time rafters
  • Kids ages 14-16+ (flow dependent and the final call will be at your river guides discretion)
  • All participants much have strong swimming skills

Included for the rafting:

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Shuttles to/from camp

 

Included with this overnight vacation package:

  • 1 night primitive riverside camping
  • 4 meals
    • Day 1 – lunch & dinner
    • Day 2 – breakfast & lunch

Required Items:

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

 

Suggested Items:

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

 

DO NOT BRING:

  • Wallets
  • Expensive jewelry

 

FOR CAMPING 

  • sleeping bag
  • pillow
  • flashlight/headlamp
  • change of clothes
  • towel
  • tent & sleeping pad
  • camp chair

Directions

Downieville, CA
(Exact location for 2023 still in the works)

Cell reception is not reliable in this area! Please save your map/directions before departing for your trip.

Truckee Trips end August 1st

Don't worry, We're not gonna do what everyboy thinks we're gonna do and freak out man... All we wanna know is, who's coming with us... to the American river that is.