Need a quick adventure fix? This classic California whitewater rafting trip on the upper 8-mile Chili Bar stretch of the South Fork of the American River offers several hours of rafting for novice and experienced rafters alike. You’ll maneuver through boulder gardens, dodge sneaky holes, and drop into exciting Class III rapids like Meatgrinder, Triple Threat, and Troublemaker (which definitely has the potential to live up to its name). In the calmer stretches, simply bask in the beauty of the scenic Sierra Foothills, or take the opportunity to hop off of the raft and feel the rush of swimming a “swimmer’s rapid.” About an hour from Sacramento, and just an hour and a half from Lake Tahoe, this quick getaway has you rafting on the American River in the morning and back in time for lunch and plenty of time to venture on to your next destination.
- Combine visits to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge into one day
- Walk the Golden Gate Bridge without being rushed and take pictures
- Visit one of San Francisco’s most often-sold-out attractions, Alcatraz
- Travel easily—ride by deluxe, comfort van and the ferry
What To Expect
South Fork of the American River
You’ll meet at the OARS American River Outpost on the morning of your trip. After an orientation and safety talk, we’ll take a 25-minute drive to the Chili Bar put-in.
Meatgrinder Rapid is the exciting start to the splashy, big-water fun on the upper section of the South Fork. As beautiful river scenes stretch out around us, rapids like Racehorse Bend, Maya, and Triple Threat await us further downstream.
After a short section of Class I-II whitewater, we find ourselves at the notorious Troublemaker Rapid. This Class III rapid packs an exhilarating ride and can offer plenty of surprises. As we float by the historic town of Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the trip begins to wind down—but not without a few more stories from your personable and knowledgeable guide.
Once we return to the Outpost, we encourage you to explore our nature trails, play campground games, or just savor your time along the river.
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Please call to speak with an Adventure Consultant if you have any health concerns
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 44 travelers
Include
High-quality river equipment including paddle, helmet, personal flotation device, and wetsuits and splash tops (included on early and late season trips, cold weather trips, and by advance request)
Skilled, professional guide service
Transfer to the river put-in from our campground
Exclude
Gratuities
Max group – 12
