South Fork of the American River

South Fork of the American River

South Fork of the American River
4.5
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This river is one of the most popular whitewater rafting and kayaking destinations in California.
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Top ways to experience South Fork of the American River and nearby attractions

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles37 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
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TravellerUG
Sunnyvale, CA18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Friends
The water released by Dam , makes this is a good river for rafting. THere are many local rafting companies running rafting tours through this river during the season. Water is generally cold.
Written August 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ontheroadagain1952
El Dorado Hills, CA230 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • Friends
I have been on this river many years ago and this may be a great river but the secret is WHICH TRAVEL GROUP DO YOU GO WITH? Make sure they have insurance and are in good standing with El Dorado County - ie recent excerpt re GOLD RUSH RAFTING LLC.......

"This outfitter is not in good standing.
River Use Permit requirements where not met in 2012.
River User Day fees of $8,212.00 have not been paid to the County for river use in 2012.
River Use Permit Violations issued in 2012 with fines of $3,171.20 have not been paid
Permission was not obtained from State Parks in 2012 for use of Salmon Falls take out and fees were not paid to CA State Parks for river use in 2012. Class I Violation
Monthly Use reports for 2012 submitted for the months of August and September on January 22, 2012
Monthly Use Reports were late in 2011 and 2012. Class I Violations
Boat marking requirements were violated in 2012. Class I Violations
Gold Rush operated trips without liability insurance from July 8, 2012 to August 31, 2012. Class II Violation
RUP #02 Revocation
Planning Commission/March 14, 2013
Staff Report, Page 2
Complaints were received by the county regarding on river rafting behavior by Gold Rush rafts
Gold Rush closed its PO Box and did not leave a forwarding address
Gold Rush has been unresponsive or slow to respond to County letters, emails and phone calls
Gold Rush did not attend the South Fork American River Outfitters meeting held on January 3, 2013
Written March 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WillD52
Fremont, CA20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015
The gorge section of the South Fork American River is a wonderful whitewater experience. It is the best class 3 run I have ever been on. Starts out easy but becomes more difficult as you enter the gorge. Rapids are mostly pool drop. A couple of them are big and very challenging.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JQD2
Pittsburg, CA92 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Family reunion at Camp Lotus last weekend... Over 30 members including five river guides, and complete equipment for a river run... There are commercial trips still available on the South Fork, even during the drought, because the powers that be must release water thru the whitewater stretch every weekend... And while the water isn't at the usual high levels, it makes for an easier experience, since it is much more a technical run than a "crash and burn" style of rafting... Is it expensive? Someone will have to check it out, we have our own equipment, and our own guides... It's not an inner tube type of day, however between the State Park in Coloma, and Camp Lotus take out, we had 11yr-olds, and neophyte adults in inflatable kayaks trying their first run... And they were excited by the small rapids...
Written May 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stacy R
Morro Bay, CA79 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Family
There is nothing more refreshing than a raging river! Even though it was a low flow year, it was gorgeous!
Written August 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oink38
Foster City, CA35 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2013 • Friends
The water was freezing, but you get used to it. The water is also a bit rough (lots of rapids), so a life jacket is a must. Bring a heavy duty raft.
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rstalk
roseville72 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012
I started rafting the upper south fork on our own with our own lousy equipment (don't recommend) over thirty years ago. The scenery is beautiful, enough trills in the rapids for most enthusiasts. Not for the very young or someone not comfortable in the water which can be quite cold. It is not for your innertube floaters!
Written January 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PEHOWARD
Trabuco Canyon, CA96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012
The south fork of the american is a great beginner/ intermediate river. Some fun rapids that will get your attention without putting you in harms way. Go early in the season for the best water. But try to pick a hot day so you can enjoy the ice cold water more.
Written August 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben S
San Francisco149 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2011 • Business
IF you ever, in this life, have a chance to go whitewater rafting down the beautiful South Fork of the American River in Coloma, CA (and don't do it), you are missing out! As a newly trained whitewater rafting guide, this river has it all: good rapids, beautiful riverside scenery and great camping! The best campground off the river I can suggest is Camp Lotus, which is located in the tiny town of Lotus, near Coloma. The area is truly idyllic and beautiful and has all of the rustic charm of Northern California gold country as you'd imagine it to. As a resident of San Francisco, this is my weekend getaway from March-October. Located 3 hours from San Francisco, and about an hour and a half from Lake Tahoe, it's one of Northern California's gems, and is well worth a visit, especially during rafting season!!!! This made my 2011 travel experience unforgettable and life changing.
Written January 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frank H
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
I've been visiting the area for over 25 years. The activities are mostly centered around a tiny town called Coloma, which incidentally has the historical distinction of being the epicenter of gold discovery in 1849 leading to the famed Gold Rush. The seasonally active town mainly caters to visitors to the South Fork of the American River which is one of North America's most popular whitewater destinations. Boasting countless outfitters for rafting, Coloma also features several RV-capable campsites along the water's edge as well as about a dozen small restaurants and cafes. Being a whitewater kayaker, this is my "neighborhood river" even though I drive 2.5 hours each way from the San Francisco Bay Area. The scent of wild foliage greets you as you drop into the valley from N. Shingle Road into town if you are traveling from the west via US 50. During the summer months, you will almost immediately notice vehicles carrying various forms of water-borne fun from bundles of colorful kayaks on roof-tops to the stacks of commercial 13-foot rafts on trailers. Along with them are the passionate river folk from all walks of life from weekend warriors intent on maximizing their days off from their day jobs to career paddlers whose entire existence revolves around the rushing of the river. Mixed in, especially near major holidays or when the thermometer bursts past 90F, are also families with teens and small children with inner tubes eager to be carried downstream. The South Fork also boasts some extensive trails that let you hike all the way down to Folsom Lake if you were so inclined. Along the way, you can find wild grapes and blackberries late summer. There are equestrian options as well as an outdoor historical museum run by the CA State Park. The Coloma Shuttle (run by the El Dorado County Air Board), which is capable of carrying both boats and passengers, services multiple stops along the full length of the river. Search their website for online reservations. The River Store is the local spot for providing paddling equipment and works in conjunction with Current Adventures for instruction. If you've ever wanted to try whitewater kayaking, they are your source. Check them out online.

For visiting paddlers, the river is composed of three sections. The upper section (aka Chilibar), is a 7.4 mile class III run that begins just below the Chilibar dam and ends at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park (MG) in Coloma. The middle section (aka C2G) is a 5.5 mile class II run that starts from MG and end at the Greenwood Creek BLM river access. From there the lower and final section (aka the Gorge) is a nearly 9 mile class III run with a steep gradient that ends at the Skunk Hollow SP near Folsom Late. For detailed information of river features go to the American Whitewater site. Locals are keen to give you the beta if you ask especially at the put-in and take-out spots as well as the River Store.

First-time and casual visitors for water recreation have the option of signing up with one of the many rafting outfitters in the area for class III-IV fun or float down on their own for some class I-II excitement. A word of caution for those who want to float on their own, the is water dam-controlled snow-melt. Even in the peak of the summer months, the water has the potential to be quite cold. Depending on the location, the current can range from barely perceptible to churning even in the class II C2G section. Tubes and floaties for beach and pool use are typically unsuitable for the river. River capable ones are availble for rent or purchase nearby. If unsure about the safety of your equipment, please do take the time to speak with the staff at the River Store, Lotus-Henningsen county park or the Marshall Gold Discovery SP. Life jackets, highly recommended even for strong swimmers, are available to borrow or to purchase locally. Your safety contributes to everyone's enjoyment of this beautiful gem in Northern California.

Most families or groups looking to tube for the first time or have kids can park at the Lotus-Henningsen County Park (fee), walk their tubes a quarter mile to the Highway 49 bridge and float down. More experienced tubers can hike a bit further to the Marshall Gold SP put-in spot a tiny bit further up Highway 49. Even more experienced tubers can consider ending their float at Camp Lotus, but that run requires more involved self-shuttling logistics and an additional fee to use the campsite. It is NOT recommended to float beyond Camp Lotus as the lower half of the C2G section boasts the more consequential rapids of the C2G section.

Also, the left bank between the Highway 49 bridge and Lotus-Henningsen County Park along Lotus Road is public and has many first-come-first-served locations to set up a picnic and swim. Again life jackets and supervision for children is a must at all times.

Visitors, please pack out your garbage and no open fires!
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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