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+1 888 723 8938
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Everyday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Online store always open
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Book Your Trip Now
Call or Text!
Online store always open
Visit our photo partners
You are about to embark on a life-changing journey. You’ll meet us at 9:30 AM, where you can take your first steps towards adventure, at the beautiful Camp Lotus. You’ll meet your friendly and skilled river guide who will take care of all the details including outfitting you with all the tools for success: paddles, PFD, and helmets as well as answering any questions you might have.
You’ll enjoy some of the most fun rapids and beautiful views the American River has to offer. Along the way, we will stop for a gourmet deli lunch served riverside with breathtaking scenery as your backdrop!
You will be returned to your starting point between 2 and 3 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 before or after your rafting trip, simply book online or call us beforehand. Be sure to ask about our delicious meals available as add-ons as well.
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. Along the way we will stop for a gourmet riverside deli lunch skillfully prepared by your guides. After which you can enjoy the calming stretch through historic gold discovery state park in Coloma and back to your cars where we first meet, between 2:00 and 3:00. Once back at your car, you will have the opportunity to relive your experience by watching a slideshow of photos taken by professional photographers, 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.
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
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