Chili Bar Express
Great for those short on time! Surf a hole at ChilI Bar Hole and enjoy our favorite rapids, including Meatgrinder, Triple Threat and Trouble Maker, the river’s most challenging and exciting rapid. These rapids are followed by a relaxing float through Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma.
Itinerary
Departure: You will meet us at 9 AM at the private Camp Lotus campground, where you’ll meet your guide and be outfitted with everything you need to enjoy your trip, including paddles, life jackets and helmets.
The Trip: You’ll enjoy some of the most fun rapids and beautiful views the American River has to offer.
Return: You will be returned to your starting point between 1 and 2 PM. There, you will have the opportunity to purchase photos of your adventure, and utilize Camp Lotus’s showers and other amenities. Should you wish to camp at Camp Lotus the night prior to or after your rafting trip, simply book online or call us ahead of time.
Chili Bar Express
- RIVER: South Fork American River
- SECTION: The Nugget - Camp Lotus
- BEST FOR: Families, Corporate Groups You Groups, Everyone!
- CLASS: 3
- MINIMUM AGE: 7
- SKILL: First Timer, Athletic First Timer, Intermediate
- DEPARTS FROM: Camp Lotus, 5461 Bassi Rd., Lotus, Ca 95651
- MEALS: None
- DURATION: 9AM - Approximately 1PM
- COST: $79 Weekdays / $89 Weekends
Chili Bar Express
Our most popular day trip begins with you meeting us at 9:00 at the private Camp Lotus campground. We shuttle you up to the top of the river canyon, providing you with everything you need to enjoy your trip, including paddles, personal flotation devices (lifejackets), helmets, a safety orientation and professional guides. Here the river starts out with thrills right from the start. After practicing our paddling and getting comfortable in the raft you will have the opportunity to surf a hole at Chile Bar rapid, if you choose, before tackling exciting rapids like Meatgrinder, Triple Threat and culminating in the most challenging and exciting rapid on the river, Trouble Maker. Yet even in this stretch our guides have the ability to play with the features giving you additional thrills or guide you safely and serenely back home, depending on what you are looking for. Next, enjoy the calming stretch through historic gold discovery state park in Coloma and back to your cars where we first meet, between 1:00 and 2:00. Once back at your car, you will have the opportunity to relax on the grass fields or take a hot shower before you leave. You also can choose to camp at our camp before and/or after your trip with a gourmet breakfast and/or dinner if you choose. Simply book online or call us to ahead of time.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
For Rafting:
- Secure footwear; old tennis shoes or sturdy sandals with heel straps such as Tevas, Keens, and Chacos. NO FLIP FLOPS OR BARE FEET!
- Swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt to wear on the rafts.
- Sunglasses with neck strap (Please be sure to bring a neck strap for any glasses you plan on wearing on the raft.)
- Sunscreen and lip ointment
- Water bottle
- Waterproof camera (optional)
- Light cap or visor (optional)
- Any medicines you require (please contact us beforehand to ensure we can accommodate any needs)
Please feel free to bring whatever items you would like to leave in your car for retrieval after the trip. Camp Lotus features hot showers available for your use.
- Optional gratuity for your hardworking guides
- Dry Clothing
- Water or other beverage
- Dry towels
- Sleeping Bag
- Tent (optionally we can provide tents at no cost)
- Warm clothing for the evening.
- Personal care items (Toothbrush, deodorant, hair care products, etc.)
- Flashlight or headlamp
- One professional, talented, and possibly humorous river guide
- White water raft (Crewed by your provided guide at all times)
- Personal Flotation Device (Life-jacket)
- Helmet
- Paddle
- Other required safety equipment
- Wetsuits an paddle jackets may be required at additional cost during cooler months and are avaliable upon request in warmer months.
Take a Closer Look
Other trips you might enjoy
South Fork 2 Day (Class III)
One day is just never enough to truly enjoy what rafting has to offer. Join us on this two day trip and let us take care of all the details! Two days of camping, meals, and adventure.
Gorge Express (Class III)
Gorge Express Float along the South Fork’s Class 2 section and take in scenic views of golden rolling foothills, before the canyon narrows into a
South Fork Full River (Class III)
South Fork Full River The perfect trip for those looking to see all 20+ miles of the South Fork of the American River. This trip
Gorge (Class III)
Float along the South Fork’s Class 2 section and take in scenic views of golden rolling foothills, before the canyon narrows into a granite gorge where you will plunge through thrilling Class 3 rapids like Satan’s Cesspool, Bouncing Rock and Hospital Bar, to name a few. A customer favorite, this trip is perfect for any size and type of group.
Chili Bar (Class III)
Our most popular day trip boasts rapids right from the start. Surf a hole at ChilI Bar Hole and enjoy favorite rapids, including Meatgrinder, Triple Threat and Trouble Maker, the river’s most challenging and exciting rapid. These rapids are followed by a relaxing float through Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma.
Meeting Place: Camp Lotus
5461 Bassi Rd, Lotus, CA 95651
The meeting place for this trip is our private campground partner, Camp Lotus. Please take the time to download and print directions as cell phone service can be spotty.
Drive Times:
Sacramento Area: Approximately 45 mins
San Francisco: Approximately 2 hours