The Middle Fork American River is one of three forks that form the mighty American River in Northern California. Starting at an unnamed, snow-fed spring high in the Sierra Nevada just west of Lake Tahoe, the Middle Fork flows through rugged granite for twelve miles before being stopped at the LL Anderson Dam. The river then continues through the Tahoe National Forest and the Eldorado National Forest before dropping through an incredibly steep, exciting canyon with walls over 2,000 feet tall and, further downstream, the Tunnel Chute, a man-made tunnel that was blasted out during the California Gold Rush. Eventually, near Auburn, California, the Middle Fork American River joins the North Fork American River at “The Confluence.” Eventually, all three forks join to form the American River.
Once a bustling canyon with two mining camps and a population of over 10,000, the Middle Fork American River is now a recreational jewel in California, drawing in anglers and whitewater rafters keen to test their mettle on the renowned Tunnel Chute and Kanaka rapids. Tributary offers 1-day and 2-day rafting trips on an 18-mile stretch of the Middle Fork American River, an exciting section of whitewater with Class III and Class IV rapids, including the famous Tunnel Chute.
Middle Fork American River rafting trips are fed all summer long by snow melt captured in upstream reservoirs. The headwaters are in the Granite Chief Wilderness on the back side Palisades Ski Resort. The river travels through steep, rugged and forested canyons within the Tahoe National Forest and into the Auburn State Recreation Area.
Because the Middle Fork American River is fed by the legendary Sierra Nevada snowpack, you can raft it all summer long. We offer 1 and 2-day trips on an 18-mile stretch of the Middle Fork American River, as well as riverside camping at our outpost on the South Fork American River. Enjoy a weekend away on one of our 1-day trips followed by some front-country camping at our outpost, or take on a wilderness adventure with our 2-day trip, where you’ll spend the night camping on a beach in the remote wilderness of the Middle Fork American River.
Camping at our outpost on the South Fork American River is available to all rafting guests. Overnight trips already include camping, and 1 day guests are welcome to stay as well. We have open camping areas for you to bring your own tent or glamping canvas tents for rent.
As a designated Wild and Scenic River, the Middle Fork is cherished for its outstanding natural attributes. The river cuts through diverse landscapes, featuring lush forests, rugged canyons, and pristine waters. Whitewater enthusiasts are drawn to its thrilling Class III to Class IV rapids, with the Tunnel Chute being a highlight for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Beyond the excitement of rafting, the Middle Fork provides a haven for anglers, boasting healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout. Hiking trails offer stunning views of the river and its surroundings, attracting outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the region’s beauty.
Beyond the excitement of rafting, the Middle Fork provides a haven for anglers, boasting healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout. Hiking trails offer stunning views of the river and its surroundings, attracting outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the region’s beauty. All within easy driving distance of both Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.
Searching for a similar Class IV trip that runs in the spring? Checkout our North Fork American River rafting options. For non-swimmers and timid first timers we recommend easier Class 2 Lower Middle Fork American River (for ages 4+) or Class 3 South Fork American River rafting trips (ages 7+). Searching for a rafting trip closer to Lake Tahoe? Check out our Lake Tahoe river rafting options including the Truckee River.
The Middle Fork American River was originally inhabited by the Nisenan Native American people, whose territory extended over much of the land between present-day Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada. They lived in permanent settlements on the ridges above the river and gathered plants from the lower elevations. In the summers, the river corridor became a fertile hunting ground, and the Washoe people, who lived on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, often came over the mountains to hunt.
Europeans first found the American River when Jedediah Smith followed the American River in 1827 in an attempt to cross the Sierra Nevada. After gold was discovered on the South Fork American River in 1848, miners flocked to the Middle Fork as well. Within two years, nearly 10,000 miners had staked claims in the river, with beaches like Maine Bar, Spanish Bar, and Murderer’s Bar quickly becoming famous for the amount of gold they produced. Remnants of this bygone era can still be found along the river, in historic mining sites and various mining artifacts.
As gold became scarce in the river, miners began getting creative. They guessed that gold had settled in a slow-moving horseshoe bend in the Middle Fork American River, but they couldn’t access the stream bed. In 1865, they blew a tunnel through the granite to divert the river from the horseshoe bend, creating the famous Tunnel Chute. The miners had guessed right, and the now dry horseshoe bend quickly became one of the most lucrative gold sites in the history of the gold rush. The Middle Fork American River continues to flow through Tunnel Chute, offering modern-day whitewater rafters an exciting series of rapids and drops to navigate.
As a Wild and Scenic River, the Middle Fork American River is renowned for its abundant wildlife. The river is home to a variety of fish species, including trout and kokanee salmon, which undertake incredible migrations for spawning. The riparian zones along the riverbanks provide crucial habitat for birds like golden and bald eagles, while the surrounding forests offer shelter to deer, Townsend big-eared bats, and black bears. Conservation initiatives and protected areas along the Middle Fork ensure the continued health of these ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the delicate balance between human activity and the preservation of the river’s rich wildlife. The Middle Fork of the American River thus stands not only as a historical testament but also as a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem that adds ecological diversity to the tapestry of California’s natural heritage.
The Middle Fork is also one of the deepest river canyons in California. Once scheduled to be under hundreds of feet of water as part of the Auburn Dam project, folks just like you discovered its treasures and forced the powers that be both here in California and in DC to recognize the Middle Fork’s true worth as an important part of our environmental, social, economic and spiritual health. Though the growth of our foothill communities is unavoidable, we hope to protect the Middle Fork for future generations. We continue to work with organizations like Friends of the River and Protect American River Canyons so we can all continue to enjoy its beauty.
We hold deep respect for the ancestral Indigenous lands that we operate on. The Middle Fork of the American River holds profound significance to Native Americans. The river flows through the ancestral lands of several tribes, including the Nisenan, the Miwok, the Nimiipuu (Naz Perce), Pohogues (Shoshone-Bannock), and Agaidika (Lemhi-Shoshone) tribes.
Acknowledging the Indigenous communities whose lands we visit is a crucial step in understanding our shared history and the ongoing challenges faced by these populations today. For more insight, visit our Territory Acknowledgement page. We encourage you to learn about the people whose land we’re privileged to explore by following the links above. Our Territory Acknowledgement is an evolving project. If you find missing information or acknowledgments, please share it with us. Together, we can ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and respect. Thank you.
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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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.
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