The South Fork of the American River offers lively, exciting whitewater rapids from April through Labor Day. The South Fork is California’s most popular whitewater rafting river. It’s wild, wet, and fun for all ages!

Commercial whitewater rafting outfitters offer a wide variety of river experiences. Looking for wilderness camping? Bed and breakfast? Budget brown bag lunch? Fine wines and gourmet meals? Half-day or two-day overnight? Bus from Sacramento, the Bay Area, South Lake Tahoe, Reno, or even Los Angeles? Prices vary a lot depending on the amenities, so shop until you find what best suits your group. Please contact the outfitters directly to get more information and make your reservations.

What you can expect from any outfitter is to provide experienced guides and all the necessary equipment, including rafts, paddles, and life jackets. You’ll need to bring sunscreen, rugged “wettable” clothes, old tennis shoes, a hat that can be tied to your head, and a gung-ho attitude. See our Gearing Up page for more information.

After your day on the water make sure to visit online one of our photography companies to see your action shots.