Lower Middle Fork American River Rafting
 The Lower Middle Fork American River is a
beautiful, almost wilderness rafting trip located in the Gold Country near
Auburn. It is a great choice for the younger or more timid child, and kids as
young as 4 years can participate. It is also a great trip to bring the grand
parents on. Inflatable kayaks are often supplied for some added adventure for
the older youths and adults to share, so the trip can accommodate a diverse
group quite happily.
The Lower
Middle Fork American rafting trip is more relaxed, mellower, and much
less traveled than the nearby South Fork American
river It is close to civilization, yet it is possible to feel that you are
really getting away from it all. This river is a gem, though few outfitters
offer this raft trip and group sizes are usually small. The river flows through
the steep, rugged and forested canyons of the Auburn State Recreation Area.
There are safe beach areas for picnicking and play, together side hikes up
creeks into shady dells with waterfalls. Very few people are seen on this trip,
but we often see nesting ducks, deer, heron and fish jumping. Late in the
season, we also stop to pick the most incredible juicy black
berries.
Schedule for Lower
Middle Fork American River Rafting trips:
As water releases are minimal over night, increased in the morning and the water takes several hours to
reach our put-in location, we can only offer this raft trip as an
afternoon ½ day. We usually meet after lunch around
1:30 pm in Auburn, and transport the group from here to the river, which
requires driving down a spectacular, winding and steep dirt road into the river
canyon. We suggest you bring a snack for the kids to have if we stop on the
river, and there is an optional side hike to a waterfall and plunge pool. We will usually not be back in Auburn until approx. 6:30 pm but do
provide refreshments at take-out.
For longer
trips, check out our rafting with
children page for additional options. There are very few trips suitable for
4-6 year olds, and this is great trip to start them on, particularly if you are
not sure if they will be comfortable on a multiday adventure.
The Auburn
Dam project has been threatening this Middle Fork American River canyon
for more than 20 years; otherwise it would have rightfully received its wild
& scenic status. Though the growth of our foothill communities is
un-avoidable, there is obviously a demand for these recreational areas to
remain unspoiled for our future generations and us. We can provide further
information and we encourage you to become members of Friends of the River or
Protect American River Canyons so we all may continue to enjoy its
beauty.
Class: 2
Length: 7
miles, ½ day, May-October
Elevation: 900 ft
Location: Meeting in Auburn, California. Off I-80, between
Sacramento and Truckee
Lower Middle Fork American River Rafting , Distances/Times for travel:
|
¾ hr E. of Sacramento (36
miles),
1 hr W of Truckee, 2 hrs W of South Lake Tahoe (87
miles),
2½ hrs NE of San
Francisco (123 miles),
3 hrs NE of San Jose (149 miles),
1 ¾
hrs SW of Reno (95 miles),
1 ¾ hrs N of Stockton (82 miles), 3
¼ hrs SE of Redding (159 miles). |
California White Water Rafting - The Lower Middle Fork
American River
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