South Fork American River

The South Fork American River

Is one of the most popular rafting destinations in the entire country. It is located just outside of Sacramento California in gold discovery country between Coloma, Auburn, and Placerville. The South Fork American River offers class III rapids with steady flows throughout the entire summer. The season begins in April and continues through September, which means a big window of opportunity to experience a South Fork of the American River rafting trip. In the summer months, the weather is warm and dry. In the early spring the weather is cooler and the South Fork American River is usually higher and colder. The rapids even though suitable for just about everyone pack some excitement

The South Fork of the American River is broken into two main sections with the upper section called the Chili Bar run and the lower section called the South Fork Gorge. Both rafting trips are class III and offer beautiful scenery and fun whitewater. The rolling Sierra Nevada foothills can be described as classic California scenery. The rapids are really fun and suitable for just about anyone. The South Fork of the American River is the perfect quick escape from the Sacramento or San Francisco areas. This trip can be tailored to your needs. When it's hot and you need a fun diversion from the city, let us take you rafting on the South Fork of the American River!

For Further reading about the south fork america Click here, or give us a cal 530-622-6887 or 1-800-323-7238

Trips Avialiable and Pricing

Trip Descriptio	Length	Meals Included	River Miles	Adult Price	Childrens Price
Full Day Upper Section	5hrs+	lunch	10	$115	$105
Full Day Lower Section	5hrs+	lunch	10	$125	$115
Half Day Upper Section	4hrs	none	8	$95	$85
Half day LowerSection	4hrs	none	10	$105	$95
Full River	8hr	lunch	21	$145	$135
Two Day Trip	2days	lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch	21	$295	$275
Two Day VIP Trip	2 days	lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch	21	$325	$295
South Fork Middle Fork Combo	2 days	Lunch.dinner, breakfast,lunch	37	$395	$375

All weekday trips take $10 off per person

children prices are for 12 years old and younger

The South Fork American River is Located Roughly 40 minutes from Sacramento. The Start for Upper Section of this Run is located 5 minutes outside of Placerville at 6045 Rafters Lane Placerville Ca. 95651. The Start for the Lower Section and the finishing point for the Upper Section is in close proximity to Coloma California. The Finishing Point for the lower is lake Folsom. Wilderness Adventures Provides all Transportation from the finishing point to the starting point where your vehicle is parked.

Upper Section (Chili Bar) Meeting location

<a data-cke-saved-href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=6045+Rafters+Lane,+Placerville,+CA&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.861942,86.572266&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=6045+Rafters+Ln,+Placerville,+California+95667&t=h&z=14&iwloc=A" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=6045+Rafters+Lane,+Placerville,+CA&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.861942,86.572266&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=6045+Rafters+Ln,+Placerville,+California+95667&t=h&z=14&iwloc=A" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" target_blank"="">View Larger Map

Lower Section (Gorge) meeting location NOTE: This can change so please go off your directions we sent you if you booked a trip.

View Larger Map

The answer depends upon the season and whether your trip includes overnight camping. Below, you will find three equipment lists. The first is for summer rafting, usually starting in mid-May. The third list includes extra items you may need to bring for camping. NOTE: Wilderness Adventures provides items you will need for rafting, such as life jackets, paddles, helmets, and any other items we feel are necessary.

You need to be prepared for three things: Cold Weather, Cold Water, and Sun. The first is not important in the summer, but having something extra to put on in case of a sudden change in the weather is desirable. Sunglasses and a hat with a visor are also desirable. If you are extremely sun sensitive, carry a shirt and long pants to put on. The factor of water exposure means in hot weather you should wear nylon or polyester or other quick-drying materials, and in cold weather wear polypropylene or wool.

COTTON IS THE WORST FABRIC TO WEAR ON THE RIVER!

Summer Rafting

Swim Suit – Hat – Sunglasses – Shorts

Old Tennis Shoes – Safety Strap for Glasses – Sun Screen

Spring Rafting

Wet Suit (full long sleeves and legs) – High Top Tennis Shoes (lightweight hiking shoes)

Paddle Jacket or Waterproof Jacket – Wool, Polypro, or Neoprene Socks

Polypro Top or Wool Sweater – Wool Hat – Rain Gear (optional)

A Dry Suit may be substituted for a Wet Suit

Camping Equipment

Sleeping Bag – Pad or Air Mattress – Tent or Ground Cloth

Comfortable Shoes – Socks/Underwear – Shirts/Pants – Jacket

Biodegradable Soap/Toothpaste – Toothbrush (clean teeth = clean runs)

Lip Balm – Insect Repellent – Flashlight – Camera – Rain Gear

Rentals:

Wet Suits $10.00 per day/per person

Sleeping Gear $25.00 per night

Tents $25.00 per night

Chili Bar Section (Upper Section) Full Day and Half Day

Meeting Time: 10 am

Length of Trip: Hlaf Day 2-3 hours, Full Day 5-6 hours

Meeting Location: The Nugget Campground 6045 Rafters Lane Placerville Ca, 95651

Enjoy floating down this nine-mile stretch that is known as one of the most popular whitewater rafting runs in the United States. This class II-III section of river is loaded with great rapids such as Meat Grinder, Race Horse Bend, and more. Between each rapid, the river offers fabulous views of wildlife, wildflowers, and beautiful Oak Trees. Over many years, the flowing river has smoothed the river rocks, and carved out these fantastic, fun rapids. Enjoy the famous rapid called “Trouble Maker”, and proceed to float right on through Coloma and Sutter’s Mill where gold was discovered. The town of Coloma is filled with many original mining tools, and an exact replica of the Saw Mill where James Marshall discovered gold on January 24^th, 1848. This is where the California Gold Rush began. In the summer months, the weather is warm and dry giving you the opportunity to jump in and cool off between rapids. In the early spring the weather is cooler and the South Fork American River flows higher making the river faster and the waves even bigger!

The Gorge (Lower Section) Full Day and Half Day

Meeting Time: 11am

Length of Trip: Hlaf Day 2-3 hours, Full Day 5-6 hours

Meeting Location: Please Inquire because It changes depending on River flows, Coloma Ca. is the general Vicinity

The first few miles are cruzy class ll whitewater and then we enter the gorge for some exhilarating Class III rapids. Around half way we will lavish you with another wonderful lunch where you can relax check things out like Gorilla Rock, which is a house-sized outcropping resembling the head of a great ape. After lunch we continue downstream with some more class lll fun. After the trip we will load into the shuttle vehicle and arrive back by late afternoon to pack up camp and say farewell or until next time.

Full River (Both Sections) Full Days only

Meeting Time: 9 am

Length of Trip: Full Day 5-6 hours

Meeting Location: The Nugget Campground 6045 Rafters Lane Placerville Ca, 95651

Have the Taste for whitewater try both sections in one day get the full river experince. Get to crash through all the rapids on both sections and afew senic miles in the middle. Great Day for the person looking to get some quality time outside.

Hotels and Lodgeing

Super 8 Motel	3444 Coach Lane	Cameron Park, CA 95682	(530) 677-7177
Best Western Cameron Park	3361 Coach Lane	Cameron Park, CA 95682	(530) 677-2203
Camino Hotel Seven Mile House www.caminohotel.com	4103 Carson Road	Camino, CA 95709	(530) 644-7740 or 800-200-7740
Grandpa’s Cottage www.grandpacellar.com	4584 Pony Express Trail, PO Box 25	Camino, CA 95709	(530) 644-2153
Sierra Nevada House www.sierranevadahouse.com	835 Lotus Road	Coloma, CA 95613	(530) 626-8096
Hilton Garden Inn Folsom www.larkspurhotels.com	221 Iron Point Road	Folsom, CA 95630	(916) 353-1717
Larkspur Landing www.larkspurhotels.com	121 Iron Point Road	Folsom, CA 95630	(916) 355-1616
Folsom Residence Inn	2555 Iron Point Road	Folsom, CA 95630	(916) 983-7289
Gold Hill Retreat www.goldhillretreat.com	5601 Gold Hill Road	Lotus, CA 95651	(530) 621-7073
Historic Cary House Hotel www.caryhouse.com	300 Main Street	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-4271
Best Western Placerville Inn www.placervilleinn.innercite.com	6850 Greenleaf Dr.	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-9100
Apple Country Inn	2920 Paul Bunyan Rd.	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 647-9017
Mother Lode Motel	1940 Broadway	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-0895
National 9 Inn	1500 Broadway	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-3884
River Rock Inn	1756 Georgetown Rd.	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-7640
Gold Trail Motor Lodge	1970 Broadway	Placerville, CA 95667	(530) 622-2906

South Fork American River

The South Fork American River

Trips Avialiable and Pricing

Trip Descriptio

Meals Included

River Miles

Adult Price

Childrens Price

*All weekday trips take $10 off per person*

*children prices are for 12 years old and younger*

Summer Rafting

Spring Rafting

Camping Equipment

All weekday trips take $10 off per person

children prices are for 12 years old and younger