South Fork/North Fork of the American River Rafting Combo

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2 Days
The South Fork, which runs through a beautiful river corridor of rolling, wooded hills and rocky gorges, is one of the most popular rafting runs in California! Paddle through nonstop whitewater as snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada thunders with a vengeance through the towering canyon of the North Fork -- a beautiful gorge with 2000-foot cliffs, blankets of green grass, colorful wildflowers and black oak and pine forests.

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Call Toll Free: 800-346-6277 or enter the month and year you want to go on this trip.
The season runs April - June.


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Departure Dates
Selected Dates April - June
Price

$321 Weekdays!

$358 Weekends

Deposit $60

Additional Costs:
$8 per person per day federal, state and local access fees
Sleep Kit/Tent $25/$30


River Rating Minimum Age
Class III - IV14 Yrs (16 during high water)
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American River Rafting - South & North Forks: Overview

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Combine rafting the South Fork American River with our North Fork American rafting trip for a one-of-a-kind California rafting adventure!

The gently sloping golden hills, deep green woodlands, rocky gorges and early-season wildflowers deliver an American River rafting trip that serves as an ideal training ground for rafters moving up in paddling dexterity. The South Fork American River is California’s most popular rafting destination with fun, easy-to-handle Class II-III whitewater rapids, gold rush history and beautiful wilderness scenery. The North Fork American River is the only un-dammed fork of the American River and provides incredibly scenic Class IV excitement as snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada thunders with a vengeance through the towering American River canyon, a beautiful gorge with 2000-foot cliffs. Surrounded by blankets of green grass, colorful wildflowers and black oak and pine forests, this is a "do not miss" in early-season California rafting adventures!

American River Rafting - South & North Forks: Itinerary at a Glance

  • Your 2-Day South Fork / North Fork American River Combo trip begins at the private Mother Lode River Center Campground at 6280 Hwy 49 Lotus, CA 95651 where we board rafts for a day of fun and sun
  • The river spills through the narrow granite walls of The Gorge bringing the challenge of some of the biggest, most exciting whitewater on the South Fork, including Fowler's Rock, Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar
  • Back at camp, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cold drinks before a scrumptious evening meal
  • Take a swim or a shower; join a game of volleyball or horseshoes, while dinner is prepared. After dinner perhaps a cheerful campfire will encourage a gathering filled with conversation, stories and laughter
  • Following a hearty breakfast the next morning we transfer to the North Fork American for a day of Class IV excitement
  • The North Fork begins with tumultuous river action starting immediately as the rafts enter Chamberlain Falls Gorge where Class IV rapids and the crashing 8-foot Chamberlain Falls provide a surefire surge of adrenaline
  • Zig-Zag, Achilles Heal and Bogus Thunder are among the continuous steep drops and boulder slaloms to be negotiated
  • After several miles of aggressive paddling through some of the state’s best whitewater, the end of the Class IV section nears, but not before facing Staircase, the river's most infamous rapid
  • Float through a breathtaking exhibit of the Sierra Nevada's striking scenery between towering 2000-foot canyon walls of polished granite, clear water, spring-green grasses, deep woods and brightly colored wildflowers
  • Take-out on Upper Lake Clementine and a shuttle back to our vehicles for the conclusion of our North Fork American River Rafting trip

Getting to the O.A.R.S. Mother Lode River Center

  • From Sacramento on U.S. Hwy 50: Follow Hwy 50 east toward Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Take the Ponderosa Road exit (Exit #37), turn left onto Ponderosa/S Shingle and cross over the freeway. At the second stop, take the first right turn on N. Shingle Road toward Coloma/Lotus. After six miles N. Shingle turns into Lotus Road—continue going straight. Pass through the first stop sign and continue on to a dead end intersection with Hwy 49 (the Sierra Nevada House will be on your right). Turn left onto Hwy 49 North and cross the bridge over the South Fork American. Mother Lode River Center is on the left side of Hwy. 49, 2.3 miles from this bridge and opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.

  • From South Lake Tahoe: Take Hwy 50 West to Placerville. Turn right on Hwy 49 (North) and follow the directions from Placerville listed below.

  • From Placerville: Proceed north on Hwy 49 through the town of Coloma. Just past Coloma, cross the bridge over the South Fork of the American. The Mother Lode River Center is located on the left side of Hwy. 49, 2.3 miles from this bridge and opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.

  • From Reno/North Lake Tahoe: Take Hwy 80 West to Auburn. Take Hwy 49 South from Auburn. Approximately 9 miles past the town of Cool, you will arrive at Mother Lode River Center. Mother Lode is on the right side of the highway, opposite County road marker 26.51. Our physical address is 6280 Hwy 49.

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  • Legend
  • Directions

From Sacramento

Drive towards South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50 until you reach Placerville. Turn left onto Highway 49 North and follow the directions from Placerville listed below.

From South Lake Tahoe

Take Hwy 50 west to Placerville and follow the directions from Placerville listed below.

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 the Motherlode River Center. The Motherlode River Center is on the left side of the highway.

From Reno, Nevada

Take Hwy 80 west to Auburn. Proceed to the Highway 49 South exit. Approximately 9 miles past the town of Cool, you will arrive at the Motherlode River Center. The Motherlode River Center is on the right side of the highway.

By Air

Many people enjoy the time saved by flying into Sacramento, which is accessed my most major airlines. A variety of car rental companies are available at the airport.

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“Loved the Class IV rapids! Our guides did an excellent job. We had a blast and I don't think we could have ever made it out of "The Toaster" without swimming if it weren't for Ryan's knowledge and expertise. Top notch job guys!”
Phil Crosby ~ Newbury Park, CA

"The river was great, the food was great, and the staff was the best. The tri-tip steak dinner was amazing."
Tommy Romiski ~ Simi Valley, CA



South Fork/North Fork American River Rafting Combo - 2 Days Trip Planner

Required Forms

Please complete your reservation forms* as soon as possible and no later than 30 days prior to your trip departure; one set of forms per person is required. If you are reserving your trip within 30 days of departure, please complete your forms immediately.

You can reference your email for the link or, log-in now to complete your forms.

Please print, sign and return the required forms (for each person in your party) to our office by email, fax or mail at least 30 days prior to your trip.

California Registration and Risk Form

Trip Documents

Itineraries

South Fork/North Fork American River Rafting Combo Itinerary & Trip Planner

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Local Weather & Current Conditions

Average Temperatures
Month Days Nights
June 85° 57°
July 95° 63°
August 100° 62°
September 85° 59°
Water Temperatures
Seasonal Average: 50° - 60° F




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The world's best whitewater rafting & adventure travel - defining adventure since 1969
Questions about trips or making reservations? Contact info@oars.com or call 800-346-6277 in the USA or Canada or 1-209-736-4677 if outside the USA or Canada.
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