Home / River Trips / South Fork American River Rafting Whitewater Rafting South Fork American River Rafting California Length 1 or 2 days Meeting Point Lotus, CA Difficulty Class III Minimum Age 6+ years Starting at $165 per person. Book Now South Fork American River Rafting California Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $165 per person. Book Now Overview South Fork American River Rafting: California's Favorite Whitewater Rafting Trip Experience the fun of rafting on the South Fork American River, California’s most popular whitewater destination. Perfect for first-timers, families, and groups of friends, the South Fork offers a fun, action-packed blend of Class II–III rapids, beautiful Sierra Foothill scenery, and warm, sunny weather throughout the rafting season. Located just a short drive from Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe, this iconic stretch of river delivers an unforgettable outdoor adventure for all skill levels. Choose from an action packed one-day, or an overnight trip, guided by talented and service minded guides. Highlights include famous rapids like Troublemaker, Satan’s Cesspool, and Hospital Bar, each offering big splashy waves, and nonstop excitement. Between rapids, enjoy calm pools perfect for swimming, relaxing, and taking in the natural beauty of the American River canyon. Ideal for team-building trips, family adventures, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and weekend getaways, rafting the South Fork American River combines adventure with accessibility. With reliable summer flows, and our beautiful campsite at Camp Lotus, rafting the South Fork American River is an all time classic California whitewater rafting experience and a guest favorite a short drive away from northern California population centers. Sign up today and discover why thousands return to rafting the South Fork American River year after year for unforgettable fun on the water! For those looking to hit California’s most extreme rapids, our Middle Fork of the American rafting trips may be for you. Known For Making you grin from ear to ear Group Size 10+ In a Word Splishy-Splashy Included Lunch, parking, transfer to and from the river from Camp Lotus What to Bring See equipment list Scroll to View Map Download Map "All I’ve thought about all morning here in my office is yesterday’s trip. My son really, really enjoyed it, as did I. Too many things to list. Probably the best was seeing how happy my son and all his buddies were for the whole day in their raft and in the water together." Jim Quilici South Fork American River Rafting "A truly family run business, who have a genuine love for the river." Mark Divittorio South Fork American River Rafting "The most amazing experience we have had. Jordan was fantastic, she was patient and sweet, she certainly made our experience an unforgettable one. We will certainly go back." Neda Vega South Fork American River Rafting "Excellent trip. Nothing but fun. We had a great day on the river and really appreciate the whole ARTA crew. They’re the best." Jim Granger South Fork American River Rafting "Everything was so much better than I expected." Fran O South Fork American River Rafting Trip Details A downloadable pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found below. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or email us (arta@arta.org). We love to talk about our trips! Getting There Itinerary What's Provided On The River Getting There This Trip Will Begin and end at: Camp Lotus 5461 Bassi Road, Lotus, CA 95651 Camp Lotus is an amazing campsite nestled right along side the American River. Camp Lotus itself is about halfway from top to bottom on the South Fork American River, making it the ideal meeting place for South Fork Trips. It is located 1 hour east of Sacramento between Highways 50 and 80 (think between Auburn & Placerville CA) Driving time from South Lake is 1.5 hours, San Francisco is about 3 hours, from Los Angeles it is about 8 hours. Once you arrive at Camp Lotus: Obtain a parking permit from the campground attendant, park in the main lot, and look for an ARTA guide (and Van) between the main parking lot and the river. Get Directions Where to Stay: Camp Lotus Coloma Resort American River Resort Itinerary Subject to change due to flows 1 Day Trips 2 Day Camp Lotus Trips Morning We will meet you at 10:00 am the morning the trip starts at Camp Lotus. Once we have our group gathered we will either head to The Nugget (upstream to run the “Upper” section) or put in directly at camp Lotus to do the “Lower”. Once we arrive at our put-in location we will get fitted for life vests and helmets as well as have an on river orientation talk. Once all questions have been answered and everyone is ready we will hop into our boats for a fun day on the river. Please come dressed and prepared to raft (see equipment list to know more)! On the water It’s hard to have more fun anywhere than on the South Fork. On our one-day trips we focus on having fun on the river. We’ll run a lot of rapids, swim a bit, maybe jump off a rock. We will stop riverside for a picnic lunch. Come prepared to have fun and laugh a ton. End of day The trip will end sometime between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Trips that run the upper stretch finish around 3:00; trips that run the lower stretch finish around 5:00; let us know if you have a preference. 2 Day Camp Lotus Trips Our 2 day trips run 10 miles of river each day and camp at Camp Lotus in between. Come ready for two days on the river (which means you will be in the sun and getting wet) and a night outdoors (which means you won’t have electricity). Camp Lotus is a nice, privately-owned campground right along the river with lots of grass, flush toilets, hot showers, and a little store. You will be camping near your vehicle, (or even IN your vehicle if you have an RV or camper van) so there is no need to pack light or worry about space restrictions. Day 1 We will meet you at 10:00 am the morning the trip starts at Camp Lotus. Once we have our group gathered we will either head to The Nugget (upstream to run the “Upper” section) or put in directly at camp Lotus to do the “Lower”. Once we arrive at our put-in location we will get fitted for life vests and helmets as well as have an on river orientation talk. Once all questions have been answered and everyone is ready we will hop into our boats for a fun day on the river. Night 1 After a fun day on the water, we will return to Camp Lotus. Maybe by boat, sometimes by car, but always with fun. You will have the late afternoon to yourselves to enjoy Camp Lotus. Lounge riverside, take a shower or play a pickup game of volleyball. The world is yours. When evening comes, the guides will arrive at your campsite and cook you a delicious dinner. Day 2 Good morning! On day 2 you will run the section of the river that you didn’t do the day before. Typically on 2 day trips you will run the Lower on the first day and the upper on the 2nd but this isn’t always the case. In the morning the guides will arrive to your campsite and cook you a delicious breakfast. Once you have had your fill we will set out again for another fun filled day on the water. The trip will end sometime between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Trips that run the upper stretch finish around 3:00; trips that run the lower stretch finish around 5:00; let us know if you have a preference. What's Provided We Will Provide Transportation from Camp Lotus to the river and back Friendly, professional guide service Fresh and hearty picnic lunch All taxes and government access fees Lifejackets, helmets and other specialized river touring equipment for the trip What you are responsible for Transportation to Camp Lotus Meals and lodging before and after your trip Guide gratuities (optional) Tips customarily range from 5 to 15 percent of the trip cost All meals - Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch (on Multi-day trips) On The River Types of Boats Meals & Drinks Trip Insurance Gratuities Types of Boats Paddle Rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and are powered by 4 to 6 paddlers plus a guide. You will be sitting along the outside of the raft and actively paddling through the rapids. Meals & Drinks ARTA meals feature fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats and our guides double as camp chefs. Dinner is usually grilled chicken, pasta, green salad and a baked Dutch Oven dessert. Breakfasts usually include eggs, bacon or sausage, and melon as well as bagels, granola, oatmeal, and plenty of coffee and juice. Lunches are served picnic-style along the river and feature deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, chips , cookies, and lemonade. If you have special dietary needs, please tell us in advance so that we can accommodate you. If you want alternative beverages in camp, (beer, soda, wine, etc.) please bring your own. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at lunch or while rafting, but are welcome in camp. Trip Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 10 and 15 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. And the entire crew will appreciate them and put them to good use. (And thank you.) On The River Types of Boats Types of Boats Paddle Rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and are powered by 4 to 6 paddlers plus a guide. You will be sitting along the outside of the raft and actively paddling through the rapids. Meals & Drinks Meals & Drinks ARTA meals feature fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats and our guides double as camp chefs. Dinner is usually grilled chicken, pasta, green salad and a baked Dutch Oven dessert. Breakfasts usually include eggs, bacon or sausage, and melon as well as bagels, granola, oatmeal, and plenty of coffee and juice. Lunches are served picnic-style along the river and feature deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, chips , cookies, and lemonade. If you have special dietary needs, please tell us in advance so that we can accommodate you. If you want alternative beverages in camp, (beer, soda, wine, etc.) please bring your own. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at lunch or while rafting, but are welcome in camp. Trip Insurance Trip Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 10 and 15 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. And the entire crew will appreciate them and put them to good use. (And thank you.) Packing Guide Packing List How to Dress Where to buy Packing List During the Summer It is usually warm and sunny on the South Fork so you won’t need much. You will be getting wet and the water is cold (60 degrees) so things that dry quickly work best. Proper footwear is critical and a water bottle is handy. We will have a small, communal drybag available for odds and ends. Here is what you should wear: Sandals with heel strap (Chaco, Teva, Keen, etc.) or old running shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS OR SLIP-ONS! Swimsuit or shorts. Synthetic, quick-drying shorts are best. Women often prefer to wear shorts over their swimsuit. Lightweight fleece top (if you get cold easily) or T-shirt or dry-tech style synthetic shirt (if you want extra sun protection) Brimmed hat for under helmet (baseball-style or visor) Sunglasses with strap, (maybe not your best pair) Small water bottle, 1 quart, (essential - even if it’s just an empty plastic Gatorade bottle) Waterproof sunscreen/block (SPF 30+) If you get cold easily or if you are going in the spring Sometimes as late as June 15th, the water could be high or the weather a little colder. You should bring some extra insulation, and perhaps some rain gear if the forecast calls for rain. In addition to the items listed above, you should bring: synthetic fleece pullover or jacket, NOT Cotton Waterproof rainshell or dry-top Neoprene wetsuit (3 mm farmer john works best; rent from The River Store, 530/626-3435 or Sierra Nevada Sales, 530/401-0088) Maybe even a Fleece cap, or gloves, and wool socks or wetsuit booties What to bring for camp n the evening we will be camping at Camp Lotus which has showers, flush toilets, and a little store. Camp Lotus has lots of grass and the campsites are somewhat private; you can sleep under the stars or in a tent. A flashlight or headlamp is handy. You will be camping at your vehicle, so there are no space or weight restrictions. Compact sleeping bag, (down or synthetic, rated to 35 degrees) Closed-cell foam or self-inflating sleeping pad, (ensolite, Thermarest, or air mattress) Sleeping bag liner or flat bed-sheet (perfect for hot nights and will add warmth on cold nights) Compact, lightweight tent, (free-standing work better) or small tarp or ground cloth. Your favorite pillow Camp clothes. 1 complete change of clothing (versatile pants and shirts, cotton is fine) Camp shoes. Our guides wear flip-flops; you don’t need boots. Personal hygiene items, including medicine, dry-skin lotion, etc. Bring twice the amount needed of any essential medicine Small flashlight with extra batteries, (headlamps are great) Book, games, musical instruments, etc. (things you enjoy doing) Professional Tip Proper footwear will make your trip much more enjoyable. On the river, you should wear shoes or sandals that won’t come off if you go swimming. Old running shoes are fine; outdoor sandals with a heel strap (Chacos, Tevas, etc) also work well. Wearing wool, fleece or neoprene socks (not cotton) under them will help keep your feet warm. Wetsuit booties keep your feet the warmest, but can get a bit clammy after a full day on the river. Aqua shoes are great for the water park, not so good for walking on rocks. In camp, most people wear flip flops or running shoes, not boots. How to Dress On Hot Days You will want clothing that dries quickly (nylon shorts and bathing suits) and something to shield you from the sun, (a high-tech SPF long-sleeved shirt or an old lightweight cotton dress shirt). Also, a baseball style hat tucker under your helmet and some sunglasses with a strap can go a long way to make your on water time more enjoyable. On Cool Days You will want a thick, synthetic fleece top, (pullovers are best). We will supply you with a waterproof shell called a "splash top" to go over your fleece. Below this we will provide a "farmer john" style wetsuit. A sythentetic long sleeve below your fleece can also be nice to help keep you warm and if it does get hot, it can also provide you with extra sun protection. Don’t bring a cotton sweatshirt for on the water, but it will work great at camp if it's not going to rain. On Your Feet You will want shoes that stay on if you go for a swim and are grippy for walking on slick rocks. Sport sandals with heel straps (Tevas, Chacos, Astral, etc.) work well. Old running shoes work great are easy to find. Neoprene, wool or fleece socks will add a bit of insulation under shoes or sandals on colder days. In Camp You will want comfortable shoes (flip flops, crocs or tennis shoes), and versatile clothing, (T-shirts, warm shirts, cotton shorts, jeans or sweats, extra fleece, etc). Cotton is fine for camp stuff, but because it is worthless for keeping you warm on the river. During colder trips many people bring two sets of fleece – one for the river, one for camp Where to buy Astral Footwear Bedrock Sandals Free Fly Apparel NRS Patagonia Schedule & Pricing A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total is due seven days after making your initial reservation. The final balance is due 30 days before the trip departure date. Schedule: South Fork American River Rafting Fourteen Rivers, Infinite Possibilities! Explore all of our destinations. Explore