MOST POPULAR DAY TRIP
Middle Fork American River 1-Day Trip
- 1 Day
- Adventurous First Timer, Intermediate
- 12+ years
- From $140
Middle Fork American River Rafting
Middle Fork American River Rafting
The Middle Fork of the American River offers one of California’s most unforgettable rafting adventures. Carving through one of the state’s most remote and rugged canyons, a Middle Fork rafting trip delivers world-class Class III and IV whitewater excitement.
This 18-mile stretch is a whitewater lover’s dream, blending pristine wilderness with thrilling rapids. Whether you’re navigating heart-pounding drops, tunnels, or surging pour-overs, every mile of this river promises an adrenaline rush.
Perfect for adventurous beginners and seasoned rafters alike, a Middle Fork whitewater rafting experience balances exhilarating challenges with the peaceful isolation of the Sierra Nevada foothills. If you crave untamed beauty and the thrill of whitewater, this is the adventure for you.
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1 Day
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12+ years
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Intermediate
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Class III-IV
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Group Discounts Available
Middle Fork American River Rafting Trips
The Middle Fork Rafting Experience
More Information
Trip Highlights
Rafting Season
May – September: During this time, the hydro dam releases a steady, consistent flow to provide Middle Fork rafters with exciting rapids and an ideal summer adventure.
Rapids
The Middle Fork of the American River has many memorable rapids. Here are some of our favorites:
- “Good Morning”: start the day off right with a good drenching from this soaker rapid
- “Tunnel Chute”: an incredible diversion chute blasted by miners in the 1880s during their search for gold
- “Kanaka Falls”: a Class IV steep drop that requires highly coordinated steering from everyone in the raft
- 7-mile scenic float through a beautiful river canyon, with a stop halfway for lunch on a sandy beach
- “Ruck-a-Chucky Falls”: a series of exhilarating Class IV rapids, including an 8-foot pour-over (taking the raft over a submerged boulder) and a brief portage around a churning 25-foot fall
- “Parallel Parking”: A technical Class IV that weaves in and around boulders
- “Bambi Falls”: End your American River Middle Fork rafting experience with a swim through this easy Class II rapid
Scenery
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Middle Fork of the American River offers a thrilling rafting experience through wild, scenic canyons. This stretch of river is home to Class III and IV rapids, surrounded by lush vegetation, rugged rock formations, and abundant wildlife, making it a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
A highlight of a Middle Fork whitewater rafting trip with us is the famous Tunnel Chute, a rapid born from the California Gold Rush. Miners in the mid-1800s blasted through granite to divert the river, leaving behind a steep drop into a narrow chute and a 90-foot-long tunnel. Today, this combination of historical intrigue and adrenaline-pumping action makes the Tunnel Chute an unforgettable part of the journey.
Summertime, from Memorial Day to September, is the perfect season to explore the Middle Fork of the American River. With warm weather and steady water flows from upstream reservoirs, our Middle Fork rafting adventure offers the perfect blend of excitement, natural beauty, and history.
Group Discounts
Applied automatically at checkout (except for the returning guest discount), our group discounts for rafting the Middle Fork of the American River are some of the best around!
- 20% Discount for returning guests
- 10% Discount for 6+ people
- 15% Discount for 12+ people
- 20% Discount for 24+ people
Customizable Rafting
Like all of our whitewater rafting experiences, our Middle Fork of the American River rafting trips are customizable according to the needs of your group.
Do you have accessibility requests or specific trip objectives?
Call us at 530-888-6515 to discuss how we can create a spectacular Middle Fork American river rafting experience for your group.
Photos
White water rafting the Middle Fork of the American River with us means you can bring home photos of you and your group going through the rapids.
Middle Fork Rafting Map
Download Your Trip Information
Middle Fork Trip Information PDF Downloads
Check-In Times
All check-ins for Middle Fork rafting trips are at the Driver’s Flat Meeting Area outside of Auburn, CA.
Please be on time! We only wait a short time for late arrivals.
Middle Fork American 1-Day Trips
- 7:45 AM
Middle Fork 2-Day Trips
- 5:30 PM or later the night before your trip if you reserved camping with us
- 6:20 AM if you reserved breakfast with us
- 7:00 AM for all others
Directions
Our Address
Whitewater Excitement Middle Fork Meeting Location
***Always take directions with you. Cell service for mapping apps is limited to Verizon.**
Directions from Sacramento
- Take Hwy 80 east to Auburn.
- Exit at Auburn Ravine Rd./Foresthill Rd. Exit #121
- Turn right onto Foresthill Rd and continue 8 miles towards the town of Foresthill, crossing over the famous Foresthill Bridge.
- Turn left into the parking lot just past Driver’s Flat Rd. Do not drive down Driver’s Flat Rd, the parking lot is just past Driver’s Flat Rd on the left side of the highway. Look for the Whitewater Excitement vans.
Directions from Reno/North Lake Tahoe
- Take Hwy 80 West to Auburn.
- Exit at Auburn Ravine Rd./Foresthill Rd. Exit #121
- Turn left onto Foresthill Rd and continue 8 miles towards the town of Foresthill, crossing over the famous Foresthill Bridge.
- Turn left into the parking lot just past Driver’s Flat Rd. Do not drive down Driver’s Flat Rd, the parking lot is just past Driver’s Flat Rd on the left side of the highway. Look for the Whitewater Excitement vans.
What To Bring
What Is Provided
- Expert, professional guides to ensure a safe and memorable adventure.
- Top-quality gear, including inflatable rafts, paddles, helmets, and personal flotation devices (PFDs).
- Wetsuits and splash jackets are provided for spring trips as needed.
- Convenient transportation to and from the river.
- Refreshing drinks and snacks to wrap up your trip.
What To Bring
- River clothing – very casual clothing you should expect to get wet!
- Bathing suit/swim trunks
- Lightweight quick-drying top (rash guard works well)
- Lightweight windbreaker for cool mornings
- Sweatshirt for cool evenings
- River sandals or old tennis shoes (no flip-flops or bare feet allowed)
- Hat with visor (optional under helmet)
- Sunglasses with retaining device so they don’t end up in the river
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip protection
- Bottle of water (drinks provided at lunch and end of trip)
- Inexpensive waterproof camera (professional pictures are taken at one rapid)
- Dry clothes for the trip home, to be left in your car
Camping Items
- Tent and ground cloth (not needed if you reserved a 4-person dome tent or a 5-person deluxe cabin tent with us – call to book: 1-800-750-2386)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Shirt
- Sweatshirt or light jacket
- Dry shoes
- Flashlight
- Lantern
- Insect repellent
- Food, snacks, and drinks (see above for what we provide on your trip)
- Campfire wood (when campfires are permitted, please call for current conditions)
What Not To Bring
- Pets
- Fireworks
- Firearms
- High pressure water guns
Places To Stay In The Area
Campgrounds
Our Private Camp Area, Only For Our Guests
Our private campground is on the bank of the South Fork of the American River.
Our shared facilities include:
- Tent and RV sites (no hookups)
- Bathrooms with hot showers
- Flush toilets, sinks, and mirrors
- Recreation areas with volleyball and horseshoe pits
Reservations:
- Reservations are required
- To reserve, call our office at 1-800-750-2386
- If your group is small, you may be assigned to a shared site with another group
Cost:
- $15 per person per night
Other Campgrounds
Coloma Resort (530) 621-2267
Camp Lotus (530) 622-8672
Lodging
Hotels / Motels
Marriott – Springhill Suites, Auburn, CA 530-492-5656
Holiday Inn, Auburn (530) 887-8787
Best Western, Auburn (800) 201-0121
Where To Eat
Local Eateries
Auburn Alehouse (530) 885-2537 (15 min away)
They serve great food including, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, fish & chips, beer, beverages and much more.
Pasquale’s (530) 878-5222 (15 min away)
Family-run Italian Ristorante. Great outdoor summer dining experience serving great Italian pasta dishes, pizza, salads, local beer, and wine.
Pizzeria Luba (530) 537-2200 (15 min away)
Great pizza with naturally leavened dough and locally sourced ingredients.
Local Heroes (530) 820-3030 (15 min away)
One of the best local burger places in town!
Weather
Weather Info
Our area can experience extreme changes in weather especially in the months of April, May and June, so please check the weather (www.weather.com) for Coloma, CA prior to your trip.
Average Area Air and Water Temperatures
| Month | Air (Day) °F | Air (Night) °F | Water Temp. °F |
| May | 75-79 | 50-54 | 60 |
| June | 80-90 | 54-60 | 63 |
| July | 90-105 | 60-70 | 65 |
| August | 85-105 | 60-70 | 68 |
| September | 80-100 | 55-50 | 70 |
