Only 3 hours from San Francisco, 45 minutes from Sacramento and 1 hour from Lake Tahoe. The North Fork American River is the classic California white water adventure. With its steep drops, technical rapids and rushing falls this intermediate/advanced rafting trip is perfect for adventurous first timers and those who have rafted before but want even more excitement, adventure, seclusion and beauty.

The North Fork of the American River will make you feel like you have entered into your own private wonderland as you travel on a ribbon of crystal clear water through a narrow granite canyon, covered in lush green vegetation highlighted with spring flowers. Part of the beauty is its free-flowing nature. Undammed, this is truly a pristine river that is normally runnable from March through May.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this true wilderness river canyon with some of the most technical rapids in California. Fortunately for you, when you choose WET River Trips you will be provided the best and most experienced river guides to navigate you along your adventure, their sole job is to ensure that you have a safe and memorable trip. But don’t be mistaken, the North Fork is an all hands on deck trip. Everyone will be fitted with all the necessary rafting equipment (paddle, life jacket, wetsuit, splash jacket and helmet) and trained how to successfully paddle in order to safely maneuver the rafts through this technically exciting river.

The North Fork trip begins by meeting at Raley’s Shopping Center in Auburn. After meeting your highly trained and experienced river guides we load into our shuttle vans to head to the river put in. Once there you will be geared up with your rafting equipment before receiving a safety and paddling orientation. Then it is time for the whitewater adventure to begin. The Wild and Scenic North Fork American River is full of whitewater action. Starting off with 7 miles of back to back Class 4+ rapids, you and your guide will skillfully maneuver around boulders, crash through giant waves and drop the 7 foot Chamberlain Falls. The whitewater excitement doesn’t stop there, the action continues with rapids like Bogus Thunder, Grand Slalom, Staircase and Nose Stand just to name a few. Then you will get the opportunity to bask in the sun and relax along the banks of the river as your guides skillfully prepare a gourmet deli lunch. After satisfying your hunger, you will play in numerous Class 3 rapids, giving you a chance to truly appreciate the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas as we laugh and reminisce about the morning’s excitement. Ending at Upper Lake Clementine, you will be greeted by cold refreshing beverages before we shuttle you back to your cars in our shuttle vans.

This is our guide’s favorite river trip, after you have experienced it for yourselves you will know why, and have the memories for a lifetime.

Don’t forget to add the Video Package to your reservation so you can relive your adventure and share it with friends.