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More North Fork American River Trips

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

Lotus, CA /

/ /

  • Trip Time: Arrive 4:00-8:00pm the evening before your rafting trip starts / ends around 4:00pm on the last day
  • Trip Length: 22 miles
  • Meals: 5 included
  • Camping: 2 nights included
  • Min. Age 14-16 years
PRICES STARTING AT
Weekdays
  • $339 – adult (all ages 14+)
Weekends
  • $369 – adult (all ages 14+)
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DEALS

2 Day South Fork / North Fork American River Rafting Combo

This 2 day rafting trip is usually only available in the Spring when the Middle Fork American River flows are still too high for rafting trips. Join us at our Lotus, CA campground located on the banks of the South Fork American River. Camping & meals are included with this trip as is transportation from the campground for rafting.

Raft on Class 2-3+ rapids on the South Fork American River day 1, followed by the more challenging Class 4+ North Fork American River on Day 2! Swimming skills are required to participate in this trip. If you have any non-swimmers who want to come with you, we suggest the 2 day South Fork American river trip which is suitable for non-swimmers.

The North Fork is known throughout the boating community as “The little T” for it’s smaller, but just as challenging, resemblance to the Tuolumne. Don’t miss out on this trip – it’s rare and it’s special!

Trip Information

  • Rare spring trip combining 2 American River forks
  • Great for experienced paddlers
  • Camp 2 nights at our South Fork American riverside camp where we enjoy volleyball, horseshoes, camp store, campfire circle, hot showers and flush toilets
  • Great guides: skilled and ready to provide a safe and fun outdoor adventure

Once you arrive as our guest please know you are now what we consider “River Time”. This means we try and stick to a schedule, but times are merely a guideline and may not be exact once we start our adventure. Times below may vary, but not much!

The night before your rafting adventure begins:

4:00-8:00PM – Check in to our South Fork American River campground for camping the night before you start rafting. Dinner is not included.

Day 1

7:00AM Coffee, tea and drinks are available in the kitchen
7:30AM Breakfast
Mid-Morning (10:00am ish) Load shuttle for a short ride up to the put in
Lunch around Noon
More Rafting after lunch on the Gorge section of the South Fork American River. You will blast thru several Class 3+ rapids including Satan’s Cesspool & Hospital Bar Rapids!
Arrive @ take out around 4:00pm where we load the gear up and shuttle everyone back to camp. There is time for showers and some riverside relaxation while your guides prepare your appetizers. Drinks are also available.
Dinner is served around 6:30PM followed by campfire and riverside chats (campfire not guaranteed due to possible high fire danger)
10:00PM Quiet Hours begin until 7:00AM the following morning, that just means no loud partying, music or noises…it’s not a bedtime!

Day 2

7:00AM Coffee, tea and drinks are available in the kitchen
7:15AM Breakfast
8:00AM Load shuttle to the North Fork American River!
9:30AM Arrive @ Iowa Hill put in. There is another pre-trip safety talk as we are about to tackle more challenging rapids today.
The big Class IV action starts right out the gate on this trip with some of the most iconic rapids on the American River – Chamberlain Falls, Zig Zag, Bogus Thunder & Staircase rapids. Once we pass Shirttail Canyon Creek, the river mellows allowing us to catch our breath and revel over our accomplishments from the morning. We will stop for a riverside lunch after the Big Class IV rapids.
We are usually on our way back to camp by 4:00pm which is about a 50 minute shuttle ride.
Back you are welcome to take a shower before you depart.
Camping for an additional evening is a popular option for folks after this trip and is available at the same South Fork Campground.

Day 1 – South Fork American River Gorge Run

Coming Soon

Day 2 – North Fork American River

  • Kids ages 14 and up
  • Strong Swimmers
  • All participants must be in good physical condition for challenging rapids

Included for the rafting:

  • PFD (Personal floatation device / aka life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Helmet
  • Professional raft guide for each raft
  • Shuttles to/from camp

 

Included with this overnight vacation package:

FOR RAFTING

Required Items:

  • Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle (filled with ice water)
  • shoes (no flip flops)
  • sunscreen
  • Wetsuit or Drysuit (you can also rent wetsuit/splash top from us)
  • This is a spring rafting trip – DO NOT WEAR COTTON! We suggest you wear polypro and wool materials.

 

Suggested Items:

  • sunglasses (with a strap)
  • baseball hat
  • Cell Phone (at your risk, it will sink)

 

DO NOT BRING:

  • Wallets
  • Expensive jewelry

 

FOR CAMPING (both nights)

  • sleeping bag
  • pillow
  • flashlight/headlamp
  • change of clothes
  • towel
  • tent & sleeping pad OR Rent a Glamping Tent
  • camp chair

Directions

Meeting Location:
Tributary Whitewater – American River Outpost
6500 Hwy 49
Lotus, CA 95651

 

Get In Touch
530.626.7385
Tributary Whitewater
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the Rivers we run

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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Tributary Whitewater Tours is a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service, the CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Nevada County, El Dorado County and Bureau of Land Management. Tributary Whitewater Tours is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.
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