Middle Fork of the American River Rafting
$155 Weekdays!
$134 Wednesdays!!!
$175 Weekend
Deposit: $30
Additional Costs:
$8 per person per day federal, state and local access fees
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class IV | 14 Yrs (16 during high water) |
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Content |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Enhanced Content |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
American River Rafting - Middle Fork: Overview
Rafting the Middle Fork of the American River is a "must do" on all rafter's lists! The Class IV Middle Fork of the American River rushes through a pristine, secluded canyon where a melee of pounding whitewater and the beauty of the Sierra Nevada foothills combine to offer an incomparable whitewater rafting adventure in California near Sacramento. In 1889, in an effort to divert the flow of the American River in search of gold buried beneath its waters, miners blasted a tunnel through the side of a cliff, unknowingly creating one of the most unique whitewater features anywhere. Now known as "Tunnel Chute", this long, tumultuous rapid is the heart-stopping highlight of this thrill packed Middle Fork American rafting experience which concludes with a stretch of this pounding river disappearing underground.
Middle Fork American River Rafting: Itinerary at a Glance
- Aptly named Good Morning, a big-wave Class III rapid gets our blood flowing and hearts pumping as our Middle Fork American River rafting trip through the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains begins
- The ominous roar of famous Tunnel Chute is the presage that we hear before the river rushes downward 25 feet through a man-made chute and tunnel
- The river changes considerably, meandering over several miles of calm water allowing us the opportunity to rest while gazing at the beautiful scenery
- Steep walls covered in pine forests plunge down into the boulder-strewn river in the heart of Auburn State Recreation Area in the American River Canyon
- A delicious deli-style picnic is served riverside
- Paddle through the flat-water section, and prepare for another long stretch of continuous whitewater action
- An intense Class IV drop, Chunder, provides thrills and chills before a portage around roaring 35-foot Ruck-A-Chucky Falls
- The day winds down with another mile and a half of great whitewater - Parallel Parking, Texas Chainsaw Mama and Final Exam
- Transfer back to your vehicles and return to civilization for the conclusion of our Middle Fork American River rafting trip
Show Mile By Mile Guide
Rafting the Middle Fork of the American River:
Mile by Mile Guide
|
Mile 0
|
Oxbow Bend. Put-in (start) for O.A.R.S. Middle Fork American Whitewater Rafting trips. The trip begins in the eddy just below the Oxbow Powerhouse – 1,080 feet above sea level. This uninhabited, pristine wilderness area was once home to two mining camps and more than 10,000 people.
|
|
Mile 0.1
|
ALARM CLOCK (aka GOOD MORNING COFFEE) (III)
|
|
Mile 1
|
The North Fork of the Middle Fork enters the river on the right.
|
|
Mile 2.5
|
TUNNEL CHUTE (IV) This section of the river was once a horseshoe bend. Crowds of miners came to the Middle Fork American River canyon in search of gold. In the late 1800s, they realized that gold probably settled into the slow-moving, horseshoe bend in the river. Miners blasted a tunnel and then dug a chute to guide the river’s water through the tunnel. The river’s altercation created one of the biggest gold discoveries in the California foothills. Technically, the rapid should be called Chute Tunnel, as you will drop down a chute (approximately 15 feet steep) over a distance of 80 feet, concluding with a big drop into frothy, churning water. You will then pass through a 90-ft long tunnel. This will certainly be a memorable California whitewater experience!
There are numerous Class III rapids until the Class IV Kanaka Falls rapid. |
|
Mile 3.3
|
Volcano Canyon, river right. Josephine Canyon, river left. There was once a great deal of mining activity in this area.
|
|
Mile 5
|
KANAKA FALLS (IV) This rapid is also known as CARTWHEEL. The river rushes to the right over boulders. The current will sweep the boat toward a rock wall on the right.
A nine-mile stretch of Class I-II rapids and outstanding Sierra Foothill scenery follows. |
|
Mile 5.9
|
Dardanelles Creek. A short hike up the creek offers hidden pools and waterfalls.
|
|
Mile 6
|
River access. A four-wheel-drive only dirt road leads to Volcanoville.
|
|
Mile 8.1
|
Doodlebug Dredge. Historical gold-mining landmark.
|
|
Mile 10.2
|
Ford’s Bar, Otter Creek, river left. There is a side hike one mile up Otter Creek. There is a swimming hole and plenty of ripe blackberries from mid-July to August.
|
|
Mile 13.1
|
Canyon Creek, river left.
|
|
Mile 13.7
|
PARALLEL PARKING (IV)
|
|
Mile 14.2
|
River access. A dirt road leads to the Greenwood Bridge and another better road out of the canyon.
|
|
Mile 14.3
|
UPPER RUCK-A-CHUCKY (IV) Also called CHUNDER. Originally named by the gold miners in the 1800s, this rapid provides a fun six-foot drop.
|
|
Mile 14.5
|
RUCK-A-CHUCKY (Unrunnable) O.A.R.S. does not take passengers down this Middle Fork American rapid. Our guests walk around as guides portage the boats downstream to a safe location.
|
|
Mile 14.7
|
LOWER RUCK-A-CHUCKY (IV)
|
|
Mile 14.8-16
|
Numerous Class III rapids.
|
|
Mile 16
|
Greenwood Bridge. Take out/end of your California whitewater experience. A set of wide stone steps leads up to a parking lot. Beverages and a return shuttle to your vehicle wait at the take-out of your O.A.RS. Middle Fork American rafting trip.
|
Information for this Mile by Mile guide was gathered from the books "California Whitewater," "A Guide to the Best Whitewater in the State of California" and "The American River, North, South & Middle Forks", as well as from a variety of sources on the Internet.
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
“I have traveled with O.A.R.S. for many years and have always been impressed with how well trained the guides are and how safety conscious the whole crew is. They have fun, but they are responsible when they need to be.”
Li Chang ~Sacramento, CA
“Six friends and I went on the Middle Fork American River day trip, our prior experience varied from intermediate to one previous trip on the South Fork American. We all agree that our guides were beyond spectacular! We had a blast.
I found O.A.R.S. online while researching a potential future Grand Canyon trip, and am extremely impressed by the company in comparison to others I have been with, as well as seen on the rivers, not only on the day of the trip, but starting from the informative web site and the pleasant and helpful reservation person who helped me organize the trip.
Your guides are on the front line with your customers and a reflection of your company, these two should definitely be valued as major assets!”
Victoria Winters ~Dublin, CA
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| Month | Low | High |
| June | 57° | 85° |
| July | 54° | 90° |
| August | 62° | 100° |
| September | 60° | 85° |
| Water Temperatures | ||
| Seasonal Average: 50° F | ||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Middle Fork of the American River Rafting trip
This is a sample list. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore.
- Sunscreen & lip protectant
- Water bottle with securing strap
- Shade hat/visor
- Sunglasses (preferably polarized) with securing strap
- Swimsuit (or shorts and quick drying top)
- 1 pair tennis shoes or river sandals
- Wetsuit (for April - June trips only)
Download our travel planner here:
Middle_Fork_American_River.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
