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    We offer a wide variety of California Whitewater Rafting trips. We suggest choosing by location, duration, or difficulty.  Need A little more help making your choice?

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    • Gold Country
    • Norcal / Oregon
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    Low Spice Beginner Trips (Class II)
    Medium Spice INtermediate Trips (Class III)
    Full Spice Advanced Trips (Class IV)
    Too Hot Advanced Trips (Class V)

    CHOOSE BY LENGTH

    Single Day Trips Great for first timers!
    2 Day Trips Make it an overnighter!
    Half-Day Trips Fast n' Fun!
    Multi-Day Trips The ultimate experience
  • Rafting Prices

    RAFT TRIP PRICING

    We offer a wide variety of rafting trip pricing that can fit any budget! From half-day quick runs to multi-day overnight adventures, we’re looking forward to getting you on the water.

    CHECK OUT OUR PRICING

    GROUP DISCOUNTS

    We offer the following group discounts for our California white water rafting adventures. You can also check out some of our most popular group rafting trips:

    • 5% off with 6-11 people
    • 10% off with 12-17 people
    • 15% off with 18-23 people
    • 20% off with 24-29 people
    • 25% off with 30+ people
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    FAMILY RAFTING SPECIALS

    20-50% off Overnight vacations on selected weekday summer dates. Options for American River, Klamath, Carson and more!

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  • Camping

    RIVERSIDE CAMPING!

    Spice up your rafting adventure with an overnight stay at one of our riverside campgrounds.

    We offer a host of camping options including glamping, tent and RV campsites as well as group sites!

    Explore our Campgrounds

    SOUTH FORK CAMP

    • GLAMPING
    • TENTS
    • RVS
    • GROUPS

    Our home campground in historic Coloma, California. Glamping, Tent Camping and RV's welcome!

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    Klamath Wilderness

    • TENTS
    • GROUPS

    Coming Summer 2021. Our newest wilderness rafting basecamp for our upper and lower klamath river trip guests.

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    YUBA WILDERNESS

    • TENTS

    Rafting the Yuba? Bring your own tent and gear and sleep beneath the tall pines of Tahoe national forest.

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    • 6500 CA-49 Lotus, CA 95651
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Middle Fork American River RAFTING TRIPS

Auburn /

Level: Intermediate /

Class 2-4+

  • Minimum Age: 13-14
  • Trip Length: 17-25 miles, 1-3 days
  • Season: May-September
  • Elevation: 1100 Ft
  • Trip Pricing: Starting at $149
View Trips
  • View Map
  • Area Info

Class II-IV Rafting on the Middle Fork of the American River

Class 4 Rafting on the Middle Fork American River
Middle Fork American River rafting trips provide reliable Class 4 all summer whitewater runs. We offer raft trips for 1-4 days including wilderness camp outs and in combination with other forks of the American. These runs are suitable for the active, fit and adventurous first-timer, or a great choice for those seeking a step-up from the easier South Fork American River. Good swimming skills are required.
On the Middle Fork American River you will encounter many Class 4 rapids including Tunnel Chute, Kanaka, Bus Crash, Cleavage and more! This trip is action packed right after put in.

Our 1 day trip is all day and includes lunch. We meet you in Auburn at the Crooked Lane Brewing Company in the morning and will take you to/from the river.

The 2 day overnight on this river is a favorite of our river guides during the summer. They appreciate escaping into this secluded and pristine road-less area. This trip allows us to show you the more unique canyons, streams and waterfalls as we explore in the rafts and on foot.

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 of the Squaw Valley. The river travels through steep, rugged and forested canyons within the Tahoe National Forest and into the Auburn State Recreation Area.

The Auburn Dam project threatened the Middle Fork American River canyon for many years. This prevented it from receiving its deserved wild & scenic status. Though the growth of our foothill communities is unavoidable, there is obviously a demand for these recreational areas to remain unspoiled 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.

The Middle Fork is 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 it’s treasures and forced the powers-that-be both here in California and back in D.C. to recognize it’s true worth as an important part of our environmental, social, economic and spiritual health. Check out this gem – it’s perhaps the most bang for your buck (in so many ways) that you can get anywhere in our fair state!

For non-swimmers and timid first timers we recommend easier Class 2 Lower Middle Fork  American River (for ages 4+) or 3 rafting trips on the South Fork American River (ages 7+).

Rafting Trips On The Middle Fork American River

South Fork / Middle Fork American River - 2 Day Rafting Trip

Lotus, CA /
2 Day
Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)
starting at
$319
- TRIP DETAILS -

Middle Fork American River - 2 Day Wilderness Rafting Trip

Lotus, CA /
2 Day
Full Spice: Advanced (Class IV)
starting at
$369
- TRIP DETAILS -

Middle Fork American River - 1 Day Rafting Trip

Auburn, CA /
1 Day
Full Spice: Advanced (Class IV)Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)
starting at
$149
- TRIP DETAILS -
Meeting Location

NOTE THIS IS A NEW MEETING LOCATION FOR THE 2020 RAFTING SEASON!

Meeting Location: Crooked Lane Brewing Company
536 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA 95603

The following is for our Class 4 Middle Fork American and North Fork American River rafting trips.  a new meeting location for the Class 2 Lower Middle Fork American river trips is being discussed and will be sent out with the booking email confirmation, it is still going to be in Auburn, CA.

Area Information

Hotels, Motels / Bed & Breakfast

Auburn Lodging/Bed & Breakfasts:

  • SpringHill Suites – Beautiful new hotel with views of the mountains! They are a preferred partner with Raft California & offer a discounted rate (click the link to view prices/availability)
  • Placer County Visitors Bureau

Foresthill: about 20 mins NW of Auburn, wonderful small town with restaurants, bars, and grocery store.

  • Mountain Shadows – (888) 674-4933 A beautiful house with room for up to 20 people on 1.5 acres with breathtaking views overlooking the Middle Fork American River canyon. Culinary kitchen, heated outdoor pool, wi-fi friendly sound system and more! Great for groups, families, and weddings – dog and horse friendly! Listed on VRBO with 5 star reviews. Pick up for your rafting trip possible.
  • Miners Camp – Centrally located in the historic town of Foresthill, CA. There are 10 recently remodeled modern units sleeping up to 42 people. Listed on VRBO and managed by the same wonderful people who run Mountain Shadows!

Weimar/Meadow Vista: about 15 mins NE of Auburn. Consists of a couple very rural communities with some ammenities. Super views of the Sierra’s. Great choice if you are looking for something close but not in town.

  • Sierra Sun Cloud Inn B&B – Weimar/Colfax (888) 637-1083 or (530) 637-1083
    Secluded, 18 acre hilltop setting among towering pines. Spectacular views. Adjacent to 15 miles of pristine hiking trails.

Colfax: is 20 minutes NE of Auburn, but convenient from North Lake Tahoe & Reno or if we are meeting in Colfax for a North Fork American rafting trip:

  • Colfax Chamber of Commerce
  • The Colfax Motor Lodge – 550 South Auburn St., Colfax, CA. 95713  (530) 346-8382. Very affordable rates, newly renovated.
  • Rollins Lakeside Inn – 18145 Rollins View Dr, Grass Valley CA 95945. (Yes, technically Grass Valley, but only 25 minutes from our Auburn meeting location). Toll Free (877) 466-0729, 530-273-0729, or 916-792-5073. Lake front property with several cabins to choose from, pool, bbq’s, wifi. Perfect for groups!

Cabins / Vacation Rentals

Foresthill: about 20 mins NW of Auburn, wonderful small town with restaurants, bars, and grocery store.

  • Mountain Shadows – (888) 674-4933 A beautiful house with room for up to 20 people on 1.5 acres with breathtaking views overlooking the Middle Fork American River canyon. Culinary kitchen, heated outdoor pool, wi-fi friendly sound system and more! Great for groups, families, and weddings – dog and horse friendly! Listed on VRBO with 5 star reviews. Pick up for your rafting trip possible.
  • Miners Camp – Centrally located in the historic town of Foresthill, CA. There are 10 recently remodeled modern units sleeping up to 42 people. Listed on VRBO and managed by the same wonderful people who run Mountain Shadows!

Auburn:

  • Auburn Gold Country RV Park – 3550 KOA Way, Auburn, CA 95602. (530) 885-0990. Tent, RV sites, cabins, pool & spa.

Camping & RV Parks

Auburn:

  • Auburn State Recreation Area – Auburn, CA 95604. (530) 885-4527. Primitive sites with chemical/pit toilets, NO drinking water, no reservations.
  • Auburn Gold Country RV Park – 3550 KOA Way, Auburn, CA 95602. (530) 885-0990. Tent, RV sites, cabins, pool & spa

Folsom:

  • Folsom Lake State Recreation Area – Folsom CA 95630. (916) 988-0205. Group and individual camp sites around lake. Hiking, biking, boating.

Colfax/Weimar/Dutch Flat:

  • Rollins Lake (NID) – 3 campgrounds located on lake 3.5 miles N. of Colfax, 19.5-22 miles NE of Auburn off Hwy. 174/I-80. Reservations available. Hot showers, water, electric hook-ups, boat ramp & rentals, store. Tent & RV sites. (530) 346-2212, (530) 346-6166, (530) 477-9413.
  • Rollins Lake (Greenhorne) – Also on Rollins Lake, no hookups. 530-272-6100.
  • Bear River Campground – 2500 Campground Road, Colfax CA 95713. 14.5 miles NE of Auburn. On Bear River, 23 sites, no water, no reservations (first come first serve basis, holidays are typically full 3-4 days prior to the holiday). Group camp available by reservation, no water. (530) 886-4901.
  • Dutch Flat RV Resort – 55 Canyon Creek Way, Gold Run, CA 95717. (530)-389-8924. Tent camping, RV sites, pool and clubhouse. 26 minutes East of Auburn – located at 3000′ so a great cooler option for the summer!

Coloma/Lotus:

  • Rivers Bend Resort – Private Riverside Camp, On the South Fork American, 20+ minutes S. of Auburn on Hwy. 49. Hot showers, flush toilets, volleyball, horseshoes. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Reservations required through Tributary Whitewater 800-672-3846.
  • Also see South Fork American River Area Information

Restaurants

  • Crooked Lane Brewing Company – Food Truck Schedule – Award winning Craft Beers & Daily Food Truck!
  • Bagel Junction – Coffee, bagels, smoothies, sandwiches & more. Locally / Family owned.
  • Auburn Thai Garden – Amazing authentic Thai food.

Visitor Information

  • The Auburn State Recreation Area – Camping, trails, fishing & swimming. Additional recreation, accommodations & sightseeing are available in Grass Valley/Nevada City just 24 miles N. of Auburn via Hwy. 49, or in North Lake Tahoe 80 miles E. of Auburn via I-80
  • Placer County Visitors Center – 13411 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603. (866) 752-2371 or (530) 887-2111.
  • Protect American River Canyons – Dedicated to the protection and conservation of the natural, recreational, cultural, and historical resources of the North and Middle Forks of the American River and its canyons for all to responsibly care for and enjoy.
  • Auburn Chamber of Commerce – (530) 885-5616

Transportation

  • Auburn Transit – City of Auburn Public Works operates Auburn Transit. Auburn Transit is a deviated fixed route service that operates within the City of Auburn and portions of unincorporated Placer County.

For local transportation within the Auburn area (ie: to/from hotel and meeting location)

  • Sierra Taxi – (530) 885-2227. Local Taxi service.
  • Gold Cab & Limo Service – (530)-885-1111 / (916)-500-9891. Local taxi and airport services.

For Transportation to/from Sacramento International Airport:

  • Super Shuttle
  • Sacramento Airport Ground Transportation

Fishing / Biking & Hiking

Great fishing location that hosts beautifully-colored wild rainbow trout (native, not stocked) and German browns. Some of the best locations are pretty inaccessible except for serious hikers, but readily accessible on a multi-day rafting trip.

  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regulations
  • Save Auburn Ravine Salmon and Steelhead (SARSS) – Committed to return salmon and steelhead to the entire length of the Auburn Ravine.

Great trails around, including the 100 mile Western States

  • ASRA Canyon Keepers – PDF’s of many local trails
  • Top Ten Trails of the Auburn State Recreation Area
  • Placer County Hiking and Nature Trails

There are great wineries and breweries to be found throughout the Gold Country Foothills, in Placer, Nevada and El Dorado Counties:

  • Gold Country Wineries and Breweries
  • Knee Deep Brewery – 13395 New Airport Rd., Ste. H Auburn, CA 95602. Tap room in Auburn, great local brews and a fun place for groups (kid friendly too).
  • Fawnridge Winery – 5560 Fawnridge Road, Auburn, CA 95602. Award winning wines. Tasting Hours: Friday-Sunday  11am-5pm

There are several Lakes in the area where you can take a SUP board or kayak for the day – even some you can paddle in for overnight beach camping!

Surrounding Lakes/Reservoirs:

  • Lake Clementine Auburn, CA
  • Rollins Lake, Colfax, CA
  • Sugar Pine Reservoir, Foresthill, CA