california rafting trips & vacations

South Fork American 1/2 Day PM Gorge Run

North Fork American River is a GO this Spring

Plan Your 2024 Vacation

South Fork American - 1 Day Full River Rafting Trip

Lotus, CA /

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PRICING
Monday – Thursday

Adults (14+) $149
Kids $149 Half Off! $74

Friday – Sunday

Adults (14+) $169
Kids $159

1 Day Full River | South Fork American River Rafting

Join Raft California for a full day of Class 2-3+ American River whitewater adventure! The South Fork American River is 21 miles long, on this trip you raft the entire river from Chili Bar dam down to Folsom Lake. The trips meets at our South Fork American River Campground & Outpost in Lotus, CA just off Historic Highway 49. We till shuttle you to/from the river and lunch is provided mid-day.

There are many Class 3 rapids to encounter first thing in the morning. The action continues for the first 7 miles ending with the iconic Troublemaker Rapid (Class 3+). We float past the Marshall Gold Discovery Park and continue with a mellow afternoon float back to camp for lunch.

The afternoon we tackle the Gorge section of the South Fork American River known for the big Class 3+ rapids Satan’s Cesspool & Hospital Bar, along with many other Class 2-3 action along the way.

We end in Folsom lake where our shuttle will bring you back to our outpost/campground. There is the option to camp the night before or after your trip making it a nice vacation with some riverside R&R.

TRIP INFORMATION
  • Best 1 day trip deal – all 21 miles of whitewater excitement!
  • Includes lunch
  • Great for families & groups!
  • Camping available!
  • Close to San Francisco, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe
  • Meet 8:00 a.m. @ our South Fork American River Camp
  • We gather at the check in area & load our shuttle to the put in location
  • At put in your guides will provide you with an orientation and safety information and gear
  • We launch our boats, practice paddling skills with our guides, and head for great rapids
  • Encounter exciting Class 3 rapids such as Meatgrinder, Race Horse Bend, Triple Threat, and Troublemaker for the first 7 miles
  • Relax as we meander thru a few miles of Class 2 rapids past the Marshall Gold Discovery Park and back to camp
  • Lunch around 12:30pm @ Camp
  • Back on the river around 1:30pm for a few miles of more Class 2 rapids
  • Lots more Class III whitewater rapids like Satan’s Cesspool, Bouncing Rock, Hospital Bar and more will excite our guests toward the end of the trip
  • Finishing up at Folsom Reservoir we shuttle you back to camp usually finishing up around 4:30 pm
  • Kids ages 8 and up
  • non-swimmers

Please note this is a full day of physical activity, we offer 1/2 day trip options on the Upper Chili Bar and Lower Gorge if you are looking for a shorter day.

Included with this trip:

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Shuttle back to camp (and your vehicle) at the end of the trip

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
  • Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink)

DO NOT BRING:

  • Wallets
  • Expensive jewelry
  • Pets

Directions

Meeting Location:

Raft California American River Outpost
6500 Hwy 49
Lotus, CA 95651

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.