Red Dirt Ruckus (Live Band)
2-Day Specialty Rafting Trip

Choose Your River

Prices Starting At

$399 Adults (14+)
$379 Kids

TRIP OVERVIEW

Trip Sold Out for the 2024 Rafting Season – Check Back for Information on 2025!

Raft and jam with members of Red Dirt Ruckus on the river! Enjoy 2 days of whitewater rafting on the South Fork American River.

Join us at our established and private South Fork American River Campground on the first night, prior to getting on the river. (Our campground is complete with showers and flushing toilets.) The second night is spent at a more primitive camp location on the river that includes a beautiful sandy beach. (Heads up! There are no showers or flushing toilets on night two.)

In addition to the fantastic on-the-river camp location, enjoy a live, yet intimate performance, from Red Dirt Ruckus! Enjoy a memorable night of camping in the wilderness on the shores of river. Hang out with the band members, sleep under the stars, wake to the calming sounds of the water and enjoy the beautiful forested surroundings in the morning.

Meet the Band

With members of Placerville’s ambassadors of funky foothill flavor, The Red Dirt Trio is ready to hit the river with you for exciting days and jammin nights!

Featuring Doug not Josh on guitar, Lisa Bond on fiddle, and Rob Keedy on percussion, the trio plays a bluegrassy reggae sound that’s hard to pin down.  From originals to new takes on familiar classics this group is great for the whole family!

 

Water flows in the South Fork American River result from releases from hydroelectric facilities located upstream. Such water releases are not subject to the control of El Dorado County or rafting companies operating under Permits from the County of El Dorado.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Live band on the river – Red Dirt Ruckus!
  • 2 days of white water rafting
  • Great mix of rapids and calm waters
  • Raft the entire South Fork section, Chili Bar and Gorge
  • Hike a section of the Western States Trail from our camp location on day two
  • 2 nights riverside camping (different locations each night, additional nights available as an add on)
    • Your first night of camping is at our established South Fork American River campground in Lotus, CA with showers, and flush toilets (additional nights are at this location)
    • The second night of camping is primitive located on BLM property, no showers and vault toilets

River Map

Trip Itinerary

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.

The first day of your rafting trip. Your guides will hand out dry bags for your overnight gear for camping tonight as it will be in a different location

The first morning coffee & tea is available in the kitchen early morning followed by a hearty breakfast before we head out for a day of rafting! This is an earlier morning than day 2, we will head to the upper Chili Bar section that we will run that day.

There are many Class 3+ rapids finishing with the infamous Troublemaker Rapid. We float past the historic Marshall Gold Discovery Park where gold was first discovered on the River starting the California Gold Rush of 1848! There are a few more miles of Class 2-2+ rapids back to camp like Old Scary and Barking Dog and we will stop there for lunch.

The gear boat(s) will join us on the river for a few more miles of rafting before we reach the BLM campground for our overnight stay. After we get our gear onto shore there is time to explore, play games, swim, fish etc. You might be surprised at the spread our guides are able to create for appetizers and dinner in the evening!

Day 2 of your camping and rafting vacation. 

The second morning is quite leisurely as we enjoy our coffee/tea/juice with breakfast and watch the water flows start to rise. This is a dam controlled river so the following evening you will have seen a major drop in the river levels.

We launch mid-morning and travel down a few Class 2 rapids before lunch. After lunch we head into the Gorge section of the South Fork American River for several Class 3 rapids including Satan’s Cesspool & Hospital Bar.

We end in Folsom Lake, load the gear up & head back to camp. There is time to shower if you like before departing, you can also join us for another relaxing evening by the river after your trip.

Traveling to the

Where to Meet

Tributary Outpost & Private Campground on the American River

6500 CA-49
Lotus, CA 95651

Where To Stay

Camping

  • Tributary Campground – Lotus, CA
    Many of our multi-day American River trips include camping at our private campground, located directly on the South Fork of the American River. Extend your trip and camp with us at our private riverside campground before or after your rafting adventure.
  • Consumnes River Ranch – Plymouth, CA
    One of our preferred partners! This is an amazing private property on the Consumnes River with tent camping, glamping cabins, stone barn for weddings and more.

 

Hotel Options

What Should I Bring

For Rafting

  • Required Items
    • Re-usable 20oz or more water bottle
    • Shoes (no flip flops)
  • Suggested Items
    • Sunglasses (with a strap)
    • Baseball hat
  • Do Not Bring
    • Cell Phones
    • Wallets
    • Expensive jewelry

For Camping, Night One

  • Linens
    • Blankets
    • Pillow
    • Sleeping bag
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Flashlight/Headlamp
  • Change of clothes
  • Towel
  • Camp chair

For Camping, Night Two

  • Linens
    • Blankets
    • Pillow
    • Sleeping bag
  • Flashlight/Headlamp
  • Change of clothes
  • Towel
  • Camp chair

 

Click here for a full detailed list of what to wear and what to bring.

Rafting shuttle services and fees included. For more information on trip shuttles click here.

What Does Tributary Provide

Included with Rafting

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

Included with this Overnight River Rafting Trip

  • 2 nights camping
  • 5 meals
    • Day 1 – breakfast, lunch & dinner
    • Day 2 – breakfast & lunch

Included on Night Two

  • Tent
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Cot
  • Dry Bag for your gear

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