Chili Bar Run: We meet at 9:00 am and end this river rafting trip around 3:00 pm. Plenty of time after the river trip to visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (also known as Coloma State Park), just upstream from Camp Lotus. Here is the original site of the Gold Rush! Sutter's Mill and a charming historical park highlights docents dressed in period Gold Rush era clothing. Gold panning is addicting here and will capture the imaginations of children and adults, too. We encourage you to visit this historical site. Ask your child's history teacher for extra credit for a report on this historical site!
While planning your California rafting trip,we encourage our river rafting paddlers to join in on the El Dorado County fun. Visit www.placerville-downtown.org for more information on shopping in Placerville, a charming historical Gold Rush community filled with unusual retail vendors, galleries and restaurants.
W.E.T. River Trips meets our guests in the Lotus-Coloma Valley. Lotus/Coloma is at the midpoint of the South Fork American River. Coloma State Park is the highlight in this community where the old mill still sits next to the river. This is where John Sutter discovered the gold and started California's Gold Rush! Interesting shops, art galleries, children's play areas, restaurants and the beautiful river are centrally located here.
Our parents went rafting, now it's our turn! Ask your Mom & Dad about teen rafting trips!
For all rafting trips on the South Fork American, we suggest that you visit the events calendar at El Dorado County Visitors information site. They have an expanded listing of upcoming events to compliment your time rafting with us. Here are favorite listings for this upcoming year.
Every Saturday of each month. Gates Open: 5:00 p.m., and Qualifying: 6:30 p.m. Placerville Speedway at 100 Placerville Drive. Ticket prices are Adults $16.00, Juniors $11.00 and Children $4.00. www.placervillespeedway.com For more information contact: Placerville Speedway (530) 626-3680
In early April: Passport tickets are good for one weekend only, but they are good for both days of that weekend. Twenty wineries located in El Dorado County includes food and wine tasting. $65.00 per person Tickets are limited, and we suggest that you get your registration in early. For more information: El Dorado Winery Association (800) 306-3956 or visit www.eldoradowines.org.
April: American River Conservancy and American Whitewater, both non-profit river conservation organizations, feature a whitewater rodeo, downriver race, slalom races, live music, dinner, an auction and more. Fun for the whole family. White water rodeo/booths/crafters at Chili Bar, Boardercross race at Henningson Park in Lotus & dinner, dance & auction in Coloma. Free to spectators; for more information: Bobbie Housand (530) 626-6882 or visit www.americanriverfestival.org
In May: The City of Placerville Community Pride Committee presents this event. Twelve unique and picturesque privately owned gardens can be viewed on this self-guided tour. The selection committee has worked to bring participants a wide variety of garden types from roses and perennials to oriental, organic, and alpine gardens.10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information: Michael Hendreh (530) 344-1981
In June: All of the 18 wineries in Fair Play are small, family owned wineries, dedicated to producing highly flavorful, mountain grown wines. The Festival will feature special events, gourmet faire, barrel tasting, live music, festival discounts, exclusive after hours events and, of course, wine tasting. Enjoy spectacular views and beautiful scenery of the Fair Play area.11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Busby Cellars, Cantiga Wineworks & Gourmet Deli, Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, Chateau Routon, Colibri Ridge Winery, dkcellars, Fitzpatrick Winery, Granite Springs Winery, Latcham, Mt Aukum Winery, Oakstone, Perry Creek, Sierra Oaks Estates For more information: Fair Play Winery Assn. (866) 932-2202 or visit www.fairplaywine.com. A favorite event!
W.E.T. River Trips is proud to be a part of this event that benefits the Western Slope Boys & Girl Club. The Gorge section on the South Fork American will start around noon that day, when rafters will gather at Henningson/Lotus Park. Tickets sell out fast! For more information contact: Western Slope Boys and Girls Club (530) 295-8019 for info. This is an annual fundraising event on the river.
All-American food, entertainment, old fashioned kids games and contests such as Watermelon eating, gunnysack races, water balloon tossing, relays, and much more. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. Fireworks to start at approximately 10:00 p.m. El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville. For info: El Dorado County Fairgrounds (530) 621-5860 or visit www.eldoradocountyfair.org
This show is open August until September. For more details about this event contact the Placerville Arts Association. Our House Defines Art, located in Market Place at Town Center, 4510 Post Street, El Dorado Hills, CA. There is no fee to view this show and the public is encouraged to come and enjoy this prestigious exhibit. For more information: Placerville Arts Association (530) 626-3862
In Sept: Games, prizes, entertainment, BBQ. Picnic Basket Raffle, Honey Pot Drawing, Dress-up and bring your Teddy Bear for the "Teddy Bear Parade". 11:00 a.m., to 3:00 p.m., Parade at 1:00 p.m. Rainbow Orchards in Apple Hill. For more information contact: Family Connections (530) 626-5164
Free Apple Hill Shuttle from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every weekend from Oct 2nd through Oct. 31st. The shuttle will be picking up visitors every 15-30 minutes all day long. The pick up site is Schnell School in Placerville. Located in Camino, CA, Apple Hill boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, and vineyards. Free to the public. Add a family fun rafting trip for a great weekend this Fall! www.applehill.com For more information contact: Apple Hill Growers Association (530) 644-7692
In October: Sponsored by Historic Main Street merchants. Costume contest and carnival are sponsored by Placerville Parks & Recreation, Placerville Rotary Club and Placerville Lions Club. Candy handed out from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Parade starts at 5:15 p.m. Historic Main Street, Placerville. Free to the public. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 672-3436
Many thanks to the El Dorado Co Tourism Board for compiling this activity list! Join us for California whitewater rafting in the heart of El Dorado County!
Click here for more information on El Dorado County Tourism and Activities
If you are traveling from California's State Capitol area, please click here for information on Sacramento restaurants, lodging and activities or if you are visiting the Bay Area, please click here for San Francisco restaurants, lodging and activities.
Established 1978 in Sacramento, California. Running American River rafting & whitewater rivers throughout California. Permitted by United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, California State Parks, El Dorado County & other governing agencies. Members of California Outdoors, America Outdoors, Friends of the River, American River Conservancy, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Visitors Bureau, Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and other American River rafting, California whitewater rafting and California river rafting organizations throughout the state of California and the country of the USA.