South Fork American River Rafting - Mariah Wilderness Expeditions

South Fork 2-Day Rafting Trips

Experience the historic Class III California river that thousands of gold miners of 1849 came from all over the world to mine for gold! Enjoy two days of moderate, yet exciting white water, delicious meals, and peaceful reflections as you gaze at a star-studded night sky. On all two-day trips a small amount of wine is offered during hors d'oeuvres; however, on Saturday evenings both red and white wines from El Dorado County are actually presented by our staff. Several Saturday evenings we also have local musicians playing during hors d'oeuvres.  Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy in the evening. 

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South Fork 2-Day Family Trips: Rafting and Goldpanning

Join other families with kids (ages 7-87) every Thursday-Friday for this unique outdoor white water rafting and goldpanning adventure. Kids love the thrill of rapids and meeting other youth. Parents love the safe and supportive environment. Enjoy a memorable and active family adventure vacation and discover river history and folklore.  Kids 16 years and younger come for half-price, and Rodney, our goldpanner, demonstrates how the goldminers panned for gold back in the gold rush days. You can try it yourself.  On all two-day trips a small amount of wine is offered during hors d'oeuvres. Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy in the evening.

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South Fork 2-Day Trips: Wine-Tasting & Rafting

Navigate fun, wild, and wet rapids of the South Fork during the day and, on Saturday evenings indulge in Mariah’s showcase of locally grown wines during hors d'oeuvres; on many Saturday evenings enjoy the sweet sounds of local musicians. On all two-day trips a small amount of wine is offered, however, on Saturday evenings both red and white wines from El Dorado County are actually presented by our staff. Wine-tasting and music, what a nice way  to finish an exciting day on the river! Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy in the evening.

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South Fork 2-Day Trips: Rafting & Music

Reconnect with your sense of adventure while enjoying the thrills of the rapids. Immerse yourself in the pleasure of great music tunes during our special hour of hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting. Several Saturday evening during hors d'oeuvres we feature local musicians. Very special musicians, Andy’s Gang, will be our highlighted entertainment on the last Saturday in July.  Feel free to bring your own musical instruments and join in!  Bring your instrument whenever you come.  On all two-day trips a small amount of wine is offered, however, on Saturay evenings both a red and a white wine is actually presented by our staff.  Feel free to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy.

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South Fork 1-Day Rafting Trips: The Gorge

The most popular South Fork American River 1-Day option is the Class III Gorge Run (referred to as the Lower Stretch), an eleven-mile stretch of river from the Mariah Campground to Lake Folsom.The river starts out mellow and builds in excitement. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon enjoy the beauty of the motherlode, with a hearty picnic lunch on the banks of the river. This is a mid-morning to mid-afternoon trip. From Lake Folsom we transfer you back to the Mariah Campground in one of our shuttle vehicles.

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South Fork 1-Day Rafting Trips: Chili Bar

This early mornng to early afternoon white water river rafting trip starts with the long, fun Class III rapid, Meatgrinder Rapid, enjoying many Class II and III rapids culminating at Mile 5.5 with Troublemaker Rapid, Class III+, the biggest rapid on the river. The last 5 miles are calmer, very scenic, and give you a chance to appreciate the beauty of the river. We will enjoy either a picnic lunch at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park or a BBQ lunch back at camp.  Either way, you are ready to depart for home by 2:00-3:00 PM.

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South Fork 1-Day Rafting Trips: Entire River

We combine the upper 10-miles "Chili Bar" and lower 11-miles "Gorge Run" sections of the South Fork American River for a very full day of exciting white water rapids, beautiful scenery, and a hearty lunch on the river. Due to the strenuous nature, we offer this trip in the spring and early summer when the water level is higher. A group of six paddlers is required for the necessary paddle power to negotiate all 50+ rapids safely! You will be with us from early morning (8:30AM) until late afternoon (4-5:00PM).

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South Fork Half-Day Rafting Trips: The Gorge

Are you short of time, or have a 4-hr morning drive in from Yosemite or a 2-hr morning drive in from Lake Tahoe? The Gorge Run, or lower stretch, of the South Fork American River is an eleven-mile stretch of white water river rafting from the Mariah Campground to Lake Folsom. We start with three miles of Class II rapids to warm up, have fun, and learn paddling. At mile five the hills close in, the river narrows, and we raft exciting rapids like Satan’s Cesspool, Hospital Bar, and Surprise Rapid. You will join us after lunch and by late afternoon (about 4:30PM) you will be able to leave for your next destination.

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South Fork Half-Day Rafting Trips: Chili Bar

Are you short on time or have tickets to the opera in the evening? This morning trip on the Chili Bar stretch of the American River gives you lots of fun, Class III rapids such as Meatgrinder and Troublemaker Rapid,  the biggest white water rapids on the river. The last 5 miles are calmer, scenic, and give you a chance to appreciate the beauty of the river. 8:30 AM until about 1:00 PM.

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South Fork Raft Express: 3-Hour Rafting Trip

The South Fork Raft Express is perfect for those families with kids as young as 4 years old, and those of you who want to enjoy the river without the big white water rapids. A scenic stretch of the American River having only Class I-II rapids gives you a chance to appreciate nature. Hear stories from California’s1849 Gold Rush and talk about the vegetation and history of the river. Wildlife such as geese and many other types of birds and perhaps a river otter may be spotted. Our put-in is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, so you can see a replica of Sutter's Mill, where the first gold nugget was discovered that started the California 1849 gold rush.

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South Fork & Middle Fork 2-Day Combo Rafting

Spend two days rafting two different rivers, 29 miles, one night of camping, and four meals. The South Fork’s Gorge Run is a popular 11-mile stretch of river from the Mariah Campground to Lake Folsom. We head back to our South Fork Campground for dinner, a slide show, and camping. The next day the Middle Fork of the American River provides a challenging full day of running Class II – IV+ rapids including the Tunnel Chute - a Class IV+ rapid. We also do this trip in reverse, depending on snow, water level, availability, and number of participants.

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South Fork & North Fork 2-Day Combo Rafting

This 2-Day Combo South Fork/North Fork American River 2hite water River Rafting trip, 2 days of rafting, 1 night of camping, and 4 meals, gives you the opportunity to “warm up” on South Fork's Gorge Run. Dinner and camping is at our South Fork base camp. The next day we head to the Class IV white water rapids of the North Fork of the American River with its many Class IV-IV+ rapids. This trip can be run in reverse depending on snow, water level, availability, and number of participants.

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