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A group of people in a rafting boat in the middle of whitewater rapids on an active river. There are rocks and green shrubs on the banks.

2 Day Raft & Camp Wilderness Trip

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  • Location: Lotus, CA / Near Sacramento
  • Level: Class III, Intermediate,
  • Dates: April - Oct
BOOK THIS TRIP!
  • River Miles: 21 miles
  • Trip Time: 9 am Meeting Time Day One / Ends Around 4pm Day Two
  • Ability:
  • Meals: 4 Meals
  • Camping: 1 Night on BLM Land on the River
  • Min Age: 7 years
Prices Starting At

$350 per person

More South Fork American River Trips

TRIP OVERVIEW

Searching for a great 2-day camp and raft getaway? Our South Fork American River wilderness trip provides a mix of river adventure with off-the grid camping. Psst… we do all of the cooking and camp setup!

Enjoy a memorable night of camping in the wilderness on the shores of river on a beautiful sandy beach.  In addition to the on-the-river location, our secluded camp spot accesses the world renowned Western States Trail. Known in the trail running world for the 100-mile endurance run, you will be able to take a hike from our campsite and experience a remote part of the famous singletrack. (Side hikes for this trip are unguided.) Sleep under the stars, wake to the calming sounds of the water and enjoy the beautiful forested surroundings in the morning.

A perfect rafting trip for youth groups, scout groups, and corporate groups looking for a camp and raft trip. We are conveniently located close to Sacramento, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe!

 

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

  • 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
  • 1 night of riverside camping on primitive located on BLM property. No showers and vault toilets.
People in a green rafting boat in the middle of a whitewater rapid, everyone is holding their paddle up in the air and smiling.
A group of people in a rafting boat in the middle of a whitewater rapid. The bow of the boat is sticking up in the air. Large rock walls in the background.
A group of people sitting in a rafting boat holding their paddles in the air. The river in calm around them with a green forest in the background.
Four green tents set up on the beach next to a calm river. Green trees in the background.
People in a green rafting boat with a whitewater rapid all round them.
People on a green rafting boat getting splashed by whitewater. Rocks surround them both in the river and on the banks.
Family in a rafting boat holding paddles getting splashed by the river water.
A group of people in a green rafting boat navigate a large whitewater rapid. There are rocks next to the boat.

River Map

Trip Itinerary

The first day of your rafting trip. Your guides will hand out dry bags for your overnight gear for camping. Afterward we head out for a day of rafting on the upper Chili Bar section.

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 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 our journey at Folsom Lake.

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
    • Shoes (no flip flops)
  • Suggested Items
    • Water and reusable water bottle
    • Sunglasses (with a strap)
    • Baseball hat
  • Do Not Bring
    • Cell Phones
    • Wallets
    • Expensive jewelry

For Camping

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

 

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

  • 1 night camping
  • 4 meals
    • Day 1 – lunch & dinner
    • Day 2 – breakfast & lunch

Included with Camping

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

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