South Fork American River Rafting - Mariah Wilderness Expeditions

WHITEWATER RAFTING FUN FOR EVERYONE

Rafting the South Fork of the American River is a Whitewater Rafting Adventure you will never forget! Located in the California Gold Rush Country of Northern California, the American River is steeped in history and is located a convenient distance from San Francisco, Sacramento, Reno, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. The South Fork has 50 Class II-III white water rapids contained in 21 miles of river. Plan a half-day, whole day, or two day rafting trip vacation to discover the delights of this historic river—ideal for families, individuals, and groups.

Middle Fork American River Rafting - Mariah Wilderness Expeditions

PRISTINE WILDERNESS

Rafting the Middle Fork of the American River you will experience rapids from Class II to Class IV+ whitewater.  This is the river with the Class V rapid: the infamous Tunnel Chute. Here the river drops through a narrow, churning whitewater chute leading down to a flat water tunnel through a narrow ridge blasted by miners in the 1850s. The result is an exciting roller coaster ride with a huge adrenaline rush. You may enjoy a one-day trip where you raft the entire 18 miles in one day. Or, get your friends together for a wilderness overnight. We need a minimum of 12 persons to do the overnight trip.

North Fork American River Rafting

Plummeting out of the Desolation Valley basin near Lake Tahoe lies the free-flowing North Fork of the American River with some of California's most exciting rafting and springtime technical rapids. The challenge: the upper stretch of river has an average gradient drop of 50' per mile through a steep and narrow granite canyon for spectacular whitewater and great vistas to gaze at when we have a moment! The turns on this adventure trip are tight and technical and Chamberlain Falls is a thrilling drop that you will not soon forget!!

Merced River Rafting Trips

ENCHANTING WHITEWATER RIVER

The Merced River flows out from the western entrance of Yosemite National Park, and descends from the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley in successive leaps producing exhilarating whitewater wave trains, technical challenges, and steep gradient drops. The Merced river also offers opportunities for laying back in the boat, relaxing and enjoying the scenery while the current takes us down the river canyon. Being one of the last free-flowing rivers in California with water flow based on melting snow pack, the Merced River is rafted in the spring and early summer.  Plan on a full day of rafting, or a morning half-day, or an afternoon half-day. The river is only about 45 minutes from the Yosemite Valley floor, so this trip makes a nice activity for the day.

Tuolumne River Rafting Trips

The Tuolumne River (pronounced too-all-o-me) Canyon is a magical 18-mile corridor of wondrous side creeks and wide, sandy beaches for camping, and is California's Class IV+ premier white water river. rushing through one of the most spectacular canyons in the Sierra! The Tuolumne River creates the "Grand Canyon" of Yosemite as it spills into the Hetch Hetchy Valley behind the O'Shaughnessy Dam above our put-in at Meral's Pool. Tight, technical and steep describes rapids like Rock Garden, Sunderland's Chute, and Ram's Head, leading to one of the biggest drops in the United States, the Class V, Clavey Falls. You may enjoy doing the river in just one day during the higher waters of spring and very early summer. Or overnight for one or two nights.

Kings River Rafting Trips

FREE FLOWING BIG WATER!

The Kings River is a big water river without the technical difficulty of the Merced or Tuolumne, and the Kings is suitable for both the first time rafter and the experienced paddler. The river bed is wide and unobstructed, so even at high flows the Kings is not particularly hazardous. Class III (beginner) rapids roll through the canyon in exciting wave trains! The exciting ten mile run rushes through Banzai, Fang Tooth and Sidewinder rapids on the way to base camp.Our Kings trips are operated in cooperation with Zephyr whitewater, and Zephyr is a permitted Recreation Service Partner with the US Forest Service. You can run this river as a 1/2-day (for time-challenged folks), a 1 day (which includes camping the night prior), or a 2-day trip. 

American River Combo Trips

ENJOY TWO RIVERS IN TWO DAYS

When one day is not enough, try our 2-day American River Combination trips. Warm up on the South Fork on the first day. On the second day try the adventurous Middle Fork or the highly technical North Fork. These trips are run in reverse, also, allowing you to run the longer Middle Fork the first day, and the shorter South Fork stretch the second day. One night of camping at our South Fork basecamp is included.  So, back at camp enjoy the delicious meals prepared by your river guides, sip some wine, play volleyball, pingpong, and horseshoes, and enjoy a roaring campfire.