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The departure time for this trip varies based on the permit for that day. You will meet the WET shuttle van and your North Fork river guides for the day behind the Raley’s shopping center in Auburn, California. From there we have a short 25 minute ride in the van to our put-in location at the Iowa Hill Rd. Bridge.
North Fork American River rafting trips start off with a bang! Starting at Iowa Hill Bridge you will take on nearly continuous, non-stop, technical class 4-5 white water rapids. Stopping along the way to enjoy a riverside deli lunch, where you can enjoy the breathtaking spring wildflowers, lush green foliage and abundant wildlife found in the deep magical wilderness canyon of the Wild and Scenic North Fork American River. The last few miles of your north fork adventure offer a chance to catch your breath, relax and enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery of the canyon as the pace of the river slows down. At the end of the trip you will have a true sense of accomplishment. This white water rafting trip is a true participatory experience. You will see & feel how what you do on your raft & with your paddle make a big difference navigating some of the best class 4+ rapids in California.
Once your time on the water is complete you will load into the WET van and return to the Raley’s parking lot after a short drive.
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.
13384 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
The meeting place for this trip is directly behind the Raleys on Lincoln Way in Auburn. Please drive and park behind the Raley’s where our guides will meet you.
Drive Times:
Sacramento Area: Approximately 45 mins
San Francisco: Approximately 2 hours
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.
EXCELLENT Based on 331 reviews Posted on Google Ryan WallMay 30, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was absolutely best guide training I ever attended!! Great people to teach a well rounded aspect of all ventures on the river while teaching you the top of the line safety measures.. I recommend this school training class for all ages. Get out enjoy nature and live your life!!!Posted on Google Kristine AngererMay 27, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. So much FUN! Issac was our guide. He was awesome! Very knowledgeable and super funny. Definitely made the trip better! Can't wait to go again!!!Posted on Google Corina TyagiMay 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing river rafting trip with WET River Trips! Our guide was super friendly, funny, and very knowledgeable about the river, which made the whole experience even better. The gourmet lunch was delicious, and the Oreo treats were such a fun surprise. Everything was well organized, exciting, and memorable. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great rafting adventure!Posted on Google Nolan BrekleMay 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best white water experience of all time!! If you want to have a blast, request Nate as your guide! Maximum fun and skill as a guide! All of the guides are super knowledgeable and great people. It will be the best day of your life. Book nowwwwPosted on Google Robinson LeeMay 26, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience! As a first-timer, I enjoyed it a lot. Jo was a great leader who made the trip even more enjoyable. Highly recommended! Go there, enjoy the trip, respect the rules, and listen to your guide!Posted on Google Purva SinglaMay 25, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide Sara was so impressive. She was engaging and so encouraging to the 5 teens we had on the raft. She made the trip really fun and entertaining for all. The rapids were also fantastic at this time of the year.Posted on Google Renee BannonMay 24, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a blast with MJ last Tuesday. Jumped out on one of the rapids and then was bumped out, but totally worth it and the soreness the next few days was all worth it! What an awesome day!! Thank you.Posted on Google Ready HospitalityApril 21, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did a Bachelor Party and had a blast! We were one of the few groups on the river due to the poor weather, but it just made it that much more enjoyable. We had Johnny and Walker as guides and they had such electric personalities, I don't think we could have had a better time.Posted on Google Luis GuzmánApril 9, 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience with this rafting company! The ride itself was incredibly fun, and the scenery along the river was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. We did the full-day South Fork American River trip, and the rapids were exciting without ever feeling dangerous, which made the experience perfect for both thrill and comfort. A big highlight of the trip was our guide, Wyatt. He did an excellent job explaining everything we needed to know in great detail and made sure we felt safe and prepared the entire time. He was also very patient and accommodating, always willing to consider our requests as long as they were reasonable. That really made the experience feel more personal and enjoyable. The lunch provided was also delicious, which was a great bonus after spending time on the river. Overall, I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a fun, scenic, and well-organized adventure. Definitely worth it!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more