Dad Rafts for FREE on Father's Day
A group of people, including a few kids are in a rafting boat navigating whitewater rapids.

2 Day Rafting Trip

Choose Your River

BOOK THIS TRIP!
  • Location: Lotus, CA / Near Sacramento
  • Level: Class III, Intermediate,
  • Dates: April - Oct
BOOK THIS TRIP!
  • River Miles: 25 miles
  • Trip Time: Arrive 4:00pm-8:00pm for camping the night before you start rafting. Done around 2:00pm day 2
  • Ability:
  • Meals: 5 included
  • Camping: 2 Nights Included at our Private Campground
  • Min Age: 7 years
Prices Starting At

Monday – Thursday
Adults (14+) $299
Kids $299 Half Off! $149

Friday – Sunday
Adults (14+) $339
Kids $299

More South Fork American River Trips

TRIP OVERVIEW

Raft the entire South Fork of the American River! We will guide you on a two day, two night white water rafting trip featuring both the upper Chili Bar run and the lower Gorge run sections. Each day you will raft on waters featuring Class II and III rapids and each night you will camp at our private American River campground. Psst… we do all of the cooking!

This rafting trip is a perfect weekend getaway for those interested in staying at a developed campground – located on a beautiful secluded area of the river. Lawn games, fireside stories and good food will all be had during your two night camping experience. Interested in upgrading to a glamping tent? Reach out! Our canvas tent rentals offer a prime location overlooking the river and a fun experience. Plus our private campground features showers and flush toilets – so you’re camping, but not quite roughing it!

If you are looking for something a bit more off the grid, check out our 2-day, 2-night wilderness style trip.

This is a popular rafting trip for youth groups (scouts etc) and corporate/adult groups coming from Sacramento, the Bay Area, & Southern California!

 

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

  • Great for Families, First Timers, and Groups
  • 2 Nights of camping in our private campground right on the river
  • Upgrade your stay with a Canvas Tent Rental
  • Lawn games, camp activities and fireside stories
  • Great weekend get-away from San Francisco, Sacramento & Lake Tahoe
Canvas glamping tent with an attached wooden porch. A person is sitting on a chair with lights on the porch. Green trees surround the tent.
A group of people on a rafting boat in the middle of a whitewater rapid. Rocks and green trees in the background.
Multiple rafting boats full of people floating down a river with whitewater waves. Rocks and small green shrubs line the river.
A group of people playing a game of giant Jenga. The wooden pieces are stacked taller than the people.
The back of four people in a rafting boat paddling down a whitewater rapid. The river is surrounded by forested canyon.
A family sitting in chairs on a wooden deck eating food. Two people standing on the deck serving food.
Four green tents set up on the beach next to a calm river. Green trees in the background. Blue skies with stripes of white clouds.
Multiple rafting boats full of people float down a river with some whitewater. Large rock in and around the river. Forested canyon in the background.
Family in a rafting boat paddling through whitewater rapids on a river surrounded by rocks.
A group of people including kids on a rafting boat in the middle of a whitewater rapid. There are large rocks next to the boat.
A group of people in a rafting boat paddling through a whitewater rapid. The river is surrounded by rocks and green trees.
A group of people in a rafting boat smiling as they float on a river with some whitewater around them. There's a large rock race in the background.
A group of people on a rafting boat paddling through whitewater on a river surrounded by rocks.
A group of people in a rafting boat that is partially submerged in a whitewater rapid. Large rock next to the boat.

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.  

Day 1

  • 7:30AM Coffee, tea and drinks are available in the kitchen
  • 8:00AM Breakfast 
  • Mid-Morning (10:00am ish) We head to the put in.
  • We start rafting on the South Fork American Class 2 section mid morning 
  • Stop for lunch around noon before tackling the Class 3+ rapids on the Gorge section in the afternoon. There are many rapids on this section including Satan’s Cesspool & Hospital Bar.
  • Return to camp around 4:30PM
  • 6:00PM Riverside appetizers
  • 6:30PM Dinner
  • 8:00PM 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

  • 7:30AM Coffee, tea and drinks are available in the kitchen
  • 8:00AM Breakfast 
  • 8:00AM We head to the Chili Bar Run put in. Safety talk at put in and start rafting!
  • You will tackle many Class 3+ rapids for the first 7 miles finishing with the infamous Troublemaker Rapid.
  • We float into the Marshall Gold Discovery Park for a picnic lunch at the historic park. There is some time to walk around, but a return visit in the afternoon with more time to explore is a popular post rafting trip activity.
  • The final 4 miles back to camp are pretty mellow with a few Class 2 & 2+ rapids along the way including Barking Dog a few strokes before we take out at our camp
    2:00PM

We say our fond farewells

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

  • Linens
    • Blankets
    • Pillow
    • Sleeping bag
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Pad
  • 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

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Get In Touch
CALL US: 530.626.7385
TEXT US: 530.919.8996
Tributary Whitewater
Incredible River Experiences

We launch trips on many different rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. For questions give our main office a call – we would love to talk with you about our trips and rivers.

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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.

 © 2024, Tributary Whitewater LLC, All Rights Reserved

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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