Whitewater Excitement runs group whitewater rafting trips on the American River in Northern California for schools, Scout troops, church and youth groups, companies, wedding parties and families. We can take 125+ people a day on the South Fork, about an hour from Sacramento and 2.5 hours from the Bay Area. Groups of 6 or more get a discount, and every trip includes professional guides, all the gear and shuttles. Tell us about your group and we’ll send a custom quote, usually within one business day.
Choose Your Group
Family Rafting Trips
Splashy South Fork trips for kids 7 and up, plus a gentle Young Rafters float for ages 4+.
Scout Troops
We offer merit badge trips to all scouts. Special Scout pricing, 10–15% below our standard rates, with camping at our private riverside camp.
School Rafting Field Trips
Outdoor field trips for all Schools with Class II–III rapids, from half-day to overnight.
Why Groups Choose Whitewater Excitement
- Room for big groups. We take 125+ people a day on the South Fork and up to 24 on Middle Fork weekends.
- Our own private camp. Riverside campsites with big group sites, bathrooms with individual showers, a dining area, Wi-Fi and a volleyball court. Groups of 100+ can camp together.
- Family-run since 1978. Small family feel with exceptional service. Norm and Phillip are on site for almost every trip, so your group deals with the people who really care.
- Easy for the organizer. Book as one group, or everyone pays separately. With our Group Reservation, you reserve the date and send one link: each guest signs up, pays for themselves, signs their waiver and lists dietary needs online. Any meal can be adjusted. We invoice companies directly and offer flexible payment plans.
- 3,000+ five-star reviews from families, schools, Scout troops and companies.
Group Discounts
| Group size | Discount |
|---|---|
| 6–11 people | 5% off |
| 12–23 people | 8% off |
| 24+ people | 15% off |
| Scout groups | 10–15% off |
See our deals and discounts for seasonal offers.
Group Whitewater Rafting and Camping Trips
| Trip | Rapids | Minimum age | Length | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork PM Half-Day | Class II–III | 7 | About 4 hours | $104 |
| South Fork Gorge Run 1-Day | Class II–III | 7 | Full day, lunch included | $124 |
| South Fork Whole River | Class II–III | 7 | Full day, 21 miles, lunch included | $144 |
| Middle Fork 1-Day | Class III–IV | 12 | Full day, 18 miles, lunch included | $139 |
| 2- and 3-day combination trips | Class II–IV | 7–14 by river | Nights at our camp, meals included | $320 |
Most groups raft the South Fork: it’s friendly for first-timers and kids and runs all summer. For a weekend, our rafting and camping packages add nights at our private riverside camp and meals from our camp kitchen. Want to compare everything? See all our trips.
How Booking a Group Trip Works
- Request a quote. Tell us your group size, dates and trip ideas, and we’ll reply with a custom quote, usually within one business day.
- Reserve your date. One person, usually the organizer, makes the Group Reservation and pays a 50% deposit to hold the date. The balance is due 30 days before the trip.
- Send your group the link. Each guest signs up, pays for themselves if you like, signs their waiver and lists dietary needs online, so you don’t have to collect money or forms.
- Show up and raft. South Fork groups meet at our Lotus base camp; Middle Fork groups meet near Auburn. We handle the guides, gear, shuttles and meals.
How to Choose a Rafting Outfitter for Your Group
Not all rafting companies are alike, and the right fit matters more with a big group. Ask any outfitter:
- How long have you been running trips? We’ve been on the American River since 1978.
- Are the owners involved? Our owners are on the river and at camp for almost every trip.
- How are guides trained? Ours are trained in house to professional standards and hold first aid, CPR and AED certifications plus swiftwater rescue training. Many are Wilderness First Responders, and some are EMTs.
- What’s included? Ours include guides, rafts, paddles, helmets, life jackets, wetsuits and splash jackets in spring, shuttles, and lunch on full-day trips.
- Can you handle our group size and needs? Ask about group camping, meals and dietary needs, and payment options.
Group Trip FAQ
Up to 125+ people a day on the South Fork, and up to 24 on Middle Fork weekends. Groups of 100+ can camp together at our private camp.
Six. Groups of 6–11 get 5% off, 12–23 get 8% off and 24 or more get 15% off. Scout groups have their own pricing.
Age 7 on regular South Fork trips, 4 on our Young Rafters float, 12 on the Middle Fork and 14 on the North Fork.
Yes. Our private South Fork camp has riverside and big group campsites, bathrooms with showers and a dining area. Bring tents or rent our cabin tents, which sleep five.
Yes. We can adjust the trip length, add a catered meal or an overnight at camp, and add team exercises on request.
Your choice. With our Group Reservation, one person reserves the date with a 50% deposit, then sends a link so each guest can sign up and pay for themselves. Or one person or company pays for everyone; we invoice companies directly and offer flexible payment plans. The balance is due 30 days before the trip.
About an hour from Sacramento and about 2.5 hours from San Francisco and San Jose.
Professionally trained guides (first aid, CPR and swiftwater certified), rafts, paddles, helmets, life jackets, wetsuits and splash jackets in spring, shuttles to and from the river, and lunch on full-day trips.
Plan Your Group Trip
Tell us about your group and we’ll put together a custom quote, usually within one business day. Get a group quote or call us at 1-800-750-2386.