South Fork / Middle Fork American River - 2 Day Rafting Trip
starting at
$319
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+).
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 IV Middle Fork American and North Fork American River rafting trips. A new meeting location for the Class II 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.
Auburn Lodging/Bed & Breakfasts:
Foresthill: about 20 mins NW of Auburn, wonderful small town with restaurants, bars, and grocery store.
Weimar/Meadow Vista: about 15 mins NE of Auburn. Consists of a couple very rural communities with some amenities. Super views of the Sierras. Great choice if you are looking for something close but not in town.
Colfax: is 20 minutes NE of Auburn, California but convenient from North Lake Tahoe & Reno or if we are meeting in Colfax for a North Fork American rafting trip:
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. Lakefront property with several cabins to choose from, pool, bbq’s, wifi. Perfect for groups!
Foresthill: about 20 mins NW of Auburn, California wonderful small town with restaurants, bars, and grocery store.
Auburn:
Auburn:
Folsom:
Colfax/Weimar/Dutch Flat:
Coloma/Lotus:
Auburn:
Folsom:
Colfax/Weimar/Dutch Flat:
Coloma/Lotus:
Auburn Thai Garden – Amazing authentic Thai food.
Auburn Chamber of Commerce – (530) 885-5616
For local transportation within the Auburn area (ie: to/from hotel and meeting location)
For Transportation to/from Sacramento International Airport:
Great trails around, including the 100 mile Western States
There are great wineries and breweries to be found throughout the Gold Country Foothills, in Placer, Nevada and El Dorado Counties:
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:
Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running white water rafting trips in Northern California & beyond since 1978. The company was originally founded by Dan Buckley, an integral player in the development of white water rafting in California. Dan Buckley’s love to share the excitement, wonder, and natural beauty that rivers have to offer with others lives on with the current owner, Jeremiah Copper.
Tributary continues to be an industry leader in the west coast rafting industry. We offer more rivers than any other outfitter, giving us the ability to accommodate younger kids down to ages 4 (thru our own experience as parents). Our team is one a kind, and everyone in our staff, from guides, to drivers, to the folks answering the phones – we all have a passion for what we do.
The rivers call to us for different reasons, be that extreme white water, fishing, enjoying nature or just experiencing new things & places. There is magic in every river trip. For some, you may first see a bald eagle in flight for the first time, or maybe conquer your first Class 5 rapid. We are here to help you choose your perfect adventure, for any excitement level.
