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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.
Departure: You will meet us at 9:30 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.
Our most popular day trip begins with you meeting us at 9:30 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.
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.
Yes! We love rafting with friends, family, and coworkers! Discounts on rafting are as follows;
Note that discounts are not applied to other “add-ons” such as camping and photo/video packages.
The Lower Klamath provides an ideal multi-day whitewater rafting experience for families and first timers. It is the heart of the 2nd largest river system in California and one of the first to rivers in California to receive the Federal “Wild & Scenic” designation. Experience 50 miles of uninterrupted Wild and Scenic River on this 3-5 day expedition.
South Fork – 2 Day Wilderness Enjoy a wilderness experience accessible for ages 7 and up. Join us for 2 days of rafting and one
This is our premiere American River Rafting trip. It offers all of the thrills of a 1 day middle fork trip, but has the added advantage of giving you more time to soak in the beauty of this unique wilderness canyon.
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.
Lower (Gorge) Express Ready yourself as the canyon narrows into a granite gorge where you will plunge through thrilling Class 3 rapids like Satan’s Cesspool,
South Fork Full River Lunch Included! The perfect trip for those looking to see all 21+ miles of the South Fork of the American River.
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.
South Fork Trips Meet at: 5461 Bassi Rd, Lotus, CA 95651
Water flows in the South Fork American River result from releases from hydroelectric facilities located upstream. Such water releases are not subject to the control of El Dorado County or rafting companies operating under Permits from the County of El Dorado.
Transportation for trips operated under California Public Utility Commission TCP# 0038955