1-800-346-6277South Fork American River - One day, Three Fun Options
Daily (Except Wednesday) April – September
Chili Bar Run: 8:00AM - 12:30PM
Gorge Run: 12:00PM - 5:00PM
21-Miler: 8AM - 5:00PM
NEW! Ducky Fun Run! (Inflatable Kayaks): 12:00PM - 5:00PM Weekdays, July - September
(Minimum 4 paddlers required; water levels must be below 1700 CFS; minimum age 14 years)
Chili Bar or Gorge Run:
Weekdays! $109*
Sundays: $119*
Saturdays: $129*
Ducky Run: $150*
21-Miler (Full river trip includes BBQ lunch):
Weekdays: $155
Weekends: $175
Deposit: $30
Additional Costs:
$8 per person federal, state and local access fees
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III | 7 Yrs (12 during high water) |
- Legend
- Directions
From Sacramento
From South Lake Tahoe
From Placerville
From Reno, Nevada
By Air
Enter your starting city
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
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South Fork American River Rafting Near Sacramento - One Day, Three Fun Options: The Choice is Yours
Grab a paddle, hop into a big yellow raft, and get ready for some wet, wild and adventurous fun on the South Fork of the American River near Sacramento, CA! Don't let names like Meatgrinder, Troublemaker, Satan's Cesspool and Dead Man's Drop scare you; the South Fork of the American River offers some of the most exciting Class III whitewater in California and is perfect for beginners, families and anyone who just wants a day out paddling in the California sunshine. Our South Fork American River rafting trips through the rolling Sierra Foothills offer the perfect way to cool off on a warm California day. Whether you're new to rafting and just want to "get your feet wet," or you just don't have time to fit a multi-day adventure trip into your schedule, one of our South Fork American River rafting trip options will surely be the perfect choice. Less than an hour from Sacramento, and just an hour and a half from Lake Tahoe, rafting the South Fork American River is a quick and relatively easy option for an exciting family or group adventure. Whether paddling through thrilling rapids or swimming alongside the raft, lots of splashy good times are guaranteed.
15% Discount for Groups of 18 or More!
Call 800-346-6277
Show Mile By Mile Guide
Rafting the South Fork of the American River:
Mile by Mile Guide
Our 21-Miler includes both the Chili Bar Run & Gorge Run!
Upper South Fork American ~ Chili Bar Run
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Mile 0
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Put-in (start) for O.A.R.S. Upper South Fork American River Chili Bar rafting trips.
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Mile 0.3
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CHILI BAR HOLE (II). For many years Chili Bar Hole was the site of the Chili Bar Rodeo. On low-water years, the competition moved downstream to First Threat Rapid. Chili Bar was named after the Chilean road builders during the early Gold Rush days. A 'hole' is created when the river current drops over a rock or ledge and circulates instead of continuing its downstream flow.
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Mile 0.6
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MEATGRINDER (III). A long rock garden with big waves and a hidden boulder at the bottom. Meatgrinder is also known as Quarter Mile Rapid because of its length. At high flows, this rapid has some huge waves and holes.
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Mile 1.3
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RACEHORSE BEND (II+). At Racehorse Bend rapid, the river drops and bends left, pushing current into the right wall. Swimming here is not recommended, especially at low summer flows.
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Mile 1.5
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MAYA (II-III). Maya is a favorite surf and lunch spot for kayakers and private rafters. It's normally a pretty easy run down the middle, but there is a big hole at higher flows. There is a sneak route on the far right.
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Mile 1.8
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ROCK GARDEN (II). As its name implies, this is a rock garden to be maneuvered through with skill.
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Mile 3.0
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Site of old miner's cabin on right bank.
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Mile 3.1
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TRIPLE THREAT (III). Three separate drops, and all three can be run down the middle - with lots of bouncy, splashy fun. The third drop is after a sharp left-hand bend. First Threat Rapid is a favorite kayak surfing hole and site of the American River Festival Rodeo.
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Mile 5.1
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TROUBLEMAKER (III+). This is the biggest rapid on the upper section of this whitewater rafting trip. The river bends sharply right and then left, passing Gunsight Rock. It's also sometimes referred to as "S-Turn" rapid. Professional photographers frequently are stationed riverside, as are a host of whitewater enthusiasts - often cheering and applauding as you pass through the rapid. You may review and/or purchase photos after completing your American River rafting experience.
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Mile 5.2 - 10.6
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Easy Class I and II rapids. Pass the historic Gold Rush town of Coloma.
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Mile 5.2
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American River Resort. The resort, located on the banks of the South Fork American, offers riverside lodging, camping and hookup sites. The resort is a short drive on Hwy 49 from the James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.
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Mile 5.5
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Coloma Resort. This is located on the banks of the American River and is adjacent to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
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Mile 5.6
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Coloma Bridge. Built in 1917, also known as the "one-way bridge." There is no parking or river access.
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Mile 6.0
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Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park. The park sprawls across both sides of the highway, encompassing a museum, a full-scale replica of Sutter's Mill where the Gold Rush started, as well as a ghost town of restored period buildings and Gold Rush artifacts. At the museum you can learn how to pan for gold, and you can buy a gold pan there as well. Bekeart's Gun Shop, located in the Park, offers similar activities and old-fashioned trade goods.
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Mile 6.6
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BEGINNER'S HOLE RAPID (II). Also known as "Taco Bender" this is a fun play spot for kayakers.
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Mile 7.1
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OLD SCARY (II). The river bends sharply left, with an island midstream. Old Scary used to be one of the most difficult rapids on the Chili Bar-to-Coloma section of the South Fork until high water in 1982 rearranged it.
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Mile 7.3
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LAUGHING EDDY (II). Also known as Blue House Eddy or Whiplash. There is a sharp-edged eddy on river left, at the blue house shortly above the bridge. An eddy is an area of usually calm water behind or downstream of an obstruction in the main current, such as a rock, where water flows counter to that of the main current.
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Mile 7.4
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Highway 49 bridge and highway access.
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Mile 8.0
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Henningsen Lotus Park. 950 Lotus Road, Lotus, CA 95651
This 51-acre park provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. The park is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until dusk. |
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Mile 8.5
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LOTUS LEDGE SURFING HOLE (II). This used to be a fun little ledge hole, but it was wiped out in the flood of January 1997, and is now simply a riffle. A riffle is a shallow stretch in the river where water forms small rippled waves.
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Mile 9.0
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Camp Lotus. Located two miles from historic Coloma, this campground is situated along the South Fork of the American River.
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Mile 9.0
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BARKING DOG RAPID (II). This is a fun little surfing wave where kayakers like to practice their rolling skills.
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Mile 10.6
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CURRENT DIVIDER RAPID (II+). A rocky chute.
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Mile 10.8
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TAKE OUT (end) for O.A.R.S. Chili Bar trips.
TAKE OUT for the South Fork American River Chili Bar Run is at River's Bend Resort. |
Lower South Fork American ~ Gorge Run
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Mile 10.8
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The meeting location and put-in (start) of our Lower South Fork American River Gorge Run trip is River’s Bend Resort 6400 Highway 49, Lotus CA 95651: This shaded stop offers restrooms and showers, picnic tables, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court and a small convenience store selling waterproof cameras, sunblock, t-shirts, water bottles and other small necessities.
O.A.R.S. American River rafting passengers park their vehicles at River’s Bend Resort. Guests will be returned to the resort upon completing their whitewater journey. To reach Rivers Bend Resort from Placerville - proceed north on Hwy. 49 through the town of Coloma. Just past Coloma, cross the American River bridge and travel exactly two miles on Highway 49 to River’s Bend Resort. River’s Bend is on the left side of the highway, directly under the high-tension wires crossing the road. Be on the lookout for the high-tension wires, as the left turn comes suddenly. To reach River’s Bend Resort from North Lake Tahoe - take Hwy. 80 west to Auburn. Proceed to the Highway 49 South exit. River's Bend Resort is approximately 9 miles past the town of Cool, on the right side of the highway, directly under the high-tension wires crossing the road. Watch for the high-tension wires, as the right turn comes suddenly. |
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Mile 11.1
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HIGHWAY RAPID (II+). A long, curving rock garden..
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Mile 11.5
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SWIMMER’S RAPID. Swimmer's Rapid is a great spot for rafting passengers to jump in and experience what it feels like to swim a rapid. It is a fun wave train rapid.
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Mile 12.2
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Public restrooms. These are the only public facilities on the South Fork American River whitewater rafting trip.
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Mile 13.9
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Gorilla Rock. This rock, sometimes referred to as Convict Rock, really looks like a gorilla.
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Mile 15.8
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FOWLER’S ROCK (III). Entrance to ‘The Gorge’ - occurs after the third sighting of the Lollipop tree. This tree can be spotted atop a distant hill and does indeed resemble a lollipop. This is the first big rapid on the South Fork’s lower section. The river bends left into a short pool then back to the right where a boulder cluster marks the entry to the rapid.
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Mile 16.9
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SATAN’S CESSPOOL (III+). Satan’s is the biggest rapid in the Gorge Run of the South Fork American River. After a long pool, the river pours over a sharp drop (Lost Hat), then bends left and right into a bigger drop against the left wall. There is a small eddy on the left just down stream. A rock above the final drop provides a good vantage point for photographers and spectators. Professional photographers are frequently stationed here with their cameras.
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Mile 17.0
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SON OF SATAN’S or DEAD MAN’S DROP (II+).
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Mile 17.4
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SCISSORS (III). The river turns left down a narrow, rocky chute with big, irregular waves.
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Mile 17.6
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LOWER HAYSTACK CANYON (II+). A fun, bouncy rapid with big standing waves and short drops in a narrow section.
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Mile 18.1
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Weber Creek – a large, year-round creek on river left.
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Mile 18.2
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BOUNCING ROCK (II+). This rapid, with a big hole on river right, provides a bouncy whitewater ride.
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Mile 18.6
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HOSPITAL BAR (III). Named for a medical tent set up here during the Gold Rush, this is the last big, splashy rapid on The Gorge Run. The rapid is a rock chute that bends left and then right. It provides surprising whitewater fun. Professional photographers are sometimes stationed here with their cameras.
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Mile 18.8
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RECOVERY ROOM (II+). Big, fun waves and clean drops.
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Mile 19.4
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SURPRISE RAPID (II). If the Folsom Reservoir is full, there will be a flat-water paddle or a tow-out, and this rapid will be under water. Class II rapids continue to mile 20 if the reservoir is low. It is a treat to find Surprise Rapid uncovered!
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Mile 20.5
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TAKE OUT (end) for O.A.R.S. Gorge Run trips.
TAKE OUT for the South Fork American River Gorge Run is at Salmon Falls Bridge at Folsom Reservoir. |
Information for this Mile by Mile guide was gathered from the books “California Whitewater” and “A Guide to the Best Whitewater in the State of California”, as well as from a variety of sources on the Internet.
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
“I was completely impressed with the professionalism and care that my guides exhibited. They worked really hard, always had a smile, always put our safety first and made sure we were having fun as well. I never worried. They were terrific. I can't say enough good things.”
Stella Plunkett ~ Laguna Niguel, CA
“I have rafted the South Fork American a few times with different companies. My experience with O.A.R.S. was by far the best!”
Nancy Davis ~ Redwood City, CA
“My family and I just returned from our first whitewater rafting trip down the American River and we had so much fun. It was truly an experience we will never forget and a big part of that was because of your wonderful employees. Our guide made our trip so enjoyable that I'm sure we'll be back again. I was constantly amazed at his knowledge of the river and his genuine concern that my family and I have a memorable experience. And boy, did we! He always challenged us but never to the point where I felt we were in danger ( just to the edge of it, ha!). I felt we were in very capable hands and totally trusted him. All I have to do is howl (aahhoo) and we are right back on the river surrounded by all of God's glory and having the time of our lives. Thank you so much for the wonderful vacation.”
Debbie Egbert and Family ~ Antioch, CA
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
| Month | Days | Nights |
| June | 85° | 57° |
| July | 95° | 63° |
| August | 100° | 62° |
| September | 85° | 59° |
| Water Temperatures | ||
| Seasonal Average: 50° - 60° F | ||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the South Fork American River - One day, Three Fun Options 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
- Shorts (long board shorts preferable for sun protection) and quick-drying top
- 1 pair tennis shoes or river sandals (on river)
- Wetsuit (for April - June trips only)
Download our travel planner here:
South_Fork_American_River-Options.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
