South Fork American
2 Day Trip Options

We offer three different 2 day trips on the South Fork of the American River.

2 Day Camp Lotus Trips (drive-in camping)
2 Day Wilderness Camp Trips (raft-in camping)
2 Day Cooperative Trips (bring your own food)

2 day Camp Lotus Trips

Our 2 day South Fork Camp Lotus trips run 20 miles of the river (both the Upper - Troublemaker section and the Lower - Satan's Cesspool section) and camp at Camp Lotus a private, secluded campground right on the river. Your vehicles, hot showers, flush toilets and a small store are a short walk away. Meals are prepared by our guides at our outdoor kitchen and afterwards we often enjoy a campfire and a star-filled sky. Weekend trips are fun, but the river and campsite are more crowded; midweek trips have a much more relaxed and isolated feel to them.

2 Day Wilderness Trips

Our 2 day South Fork Wilderness trips run 20 miles of the river (both the Upper "Troublemaker" section and the Lower "Satan's Cesspool" section) and camp at an isolated stretch of the river that has no vehicle access. We will bring everything we need into the campsite by raft (we'll provide the waterproof bags) and the campsite is a peaceful respite from what can be a busy day on the river. The site boasts a two story, composting outhouse that is amazingly pleasant. Meals are prepared by our guides and after a campfire, you will be serenaded to sleep by the sound of the river.

2 Day Cooperative Trips

ARTA's 2 day Cooperative Trips on the South Fork are designed to provide low-cost, participation oriented, river centered experiences for groups who wish to take a more active role in their trip. More importantly, they are tons of inexpensive fun. Cooperative trips run the full 20 miles of the South Fork and stay at Camp Lotus.

Trips are run on a charter-only basis and are priced on a per raft basis. There is a minimum charter size of two rafts (8 to 12 people) and we have accommodated groups of over 80. The chartering group is responsible for bringing and preparing their own food (we provide stoves and kitchen gear) and is encouraged to take a more active role in the trip. As a result, Coop Trips are educational and unifying experiences for groups of all ages and have a unique and energetic spirit which provides great moments and lifelong memories.

Large Group Options

We offer discounts to groups of 10 or more. Check out our Group Rates.