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South Fork 2-Day Rafting, Goldpanning, & Storytellers
A Paddle Adventure on the American River
Trip Overview
- 21 miles of river
- Two days rafting, every Thursday-Friday
- One night of camping
(the night during)
- Four great meals included
- Opportunity to pan for gold with a "real" goldminer
These very special Family California Whitewater Rafting Trips have a well-known gold panner who arrives in full gold rush costume. Each one of you gets the opportunity to pan for gold and take home your own small vial of gold flakes. As the most popular river in California, the South Fork of the American River is a consistent Class II-III+, beginning-level whitewater river. California’s South Fork of the American River has become the most popular river in California for individuals, families, groups of friends and company recreation trips, available daily from April through September.
- Our riverside campground is private (no other rafting companies share it), has a well-equipped camp store which provides last-minute items you may have forgotten, flush toilets, and hot-water showers, ping pong, horseshoes, volleyball, lovely view of river from all campsites, and an informative nature trail.
- Kids get to enjoy the company of other kids, and adults get to enjoy the camaraderie of other parents.
Download: South Fork 2-Day Rafting, Goldpanning, & Storyteller Trip DIRECTIONS and PACKING LIST.
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Click the image above to view the gallery
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Departures: Every Thursday, May through early September
Trip Difficulty: This rafting trip is rated beginner to low intermediate.
Type of Raft
Paddle Boat, 6-8 paddlers plus a professional guide
Age Range
7-96 years
Price Range
Thursdays: Adult $230
Youth $115, ages 7-16 yrs
plus 8% River Use Fee
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Camping at the Mariah’s South Fork of the American River Campground this night is not included in the price of your trip. However, we invite you to join us for a small additional fee. If you camp with us the night prior to your trip, we request that you come anytime after 5 PM. Our Camp Host/ess will greet you, give you any rentals you have reserved, and show you where you may camp. There are several nice restaurants nearby where you may enjoy a lovely dinner. Our Camp Host/ess will be on duty from 5 PM - 9 PM; however, you may come after 9 PM, just have your flashlight handy. A lantern will be lit next to our large campground map so you can see where you are. Also, if you have not arrived by the time the host/ess goes off duty, they will write you a welcome note which will be posted on the big white board next to the big camp map. The note to you will give you appropriate instructions regarding camping and any rentals you have.
Great campsite, great food and we all enjoyed PANNING WITH RODNEY. Jason made the trip fun for the kids - mega thanks, Jason! Matt made us feel at home and did a thorough job with the safety/trip briefing. We had first time campers/rafters in our group and they all had a great experience. I'd totally recommend this trip and Mariah!
J.G., 6/10
I rate Mariah in the top 5% of all the companies I have dealt with in my life, not just rafting but all companies, and I am a customer expert who teaches customer service to companies who need it. Your staff are professional in every way; they make you feel like you are rafting with friends instead of a company. The food is very good, and the portions are.....well....if you leave the table hungry, it is your fault. The campground is well-maintained and functional, while keeping the rustic setting. Please feel free to use this in all of your promotional materials.
D.H., South Fork American River, 2-Days, 5/23-24/09
We had a great time, and look forward to seeing you guys next year! Can't remember my raft guide's name, but he had the Amish look going. He was a fantastic guide! I think his name was Matt.
C.R.., South Fork American River, 8/09
Mariah staff: I just got back from a South Fork/Middle Fork run and Oh what a
trip. Melissa guided us expertly through all the big fun stuff.
Everyone stayed in the boat but not exactly in their seats!
I have rafting many times with you at Mariah and continue to appreciate your attention to detail and focus on safety. Off river the highlight for me was Rodney the gold miner. I have wanted to pan for gold for years and having him there to show up the ropes was great. I have my little vial of gold dust and a few garnets to remind me of a great 2 day experience. Thanks again
.L.K., 8/2010
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9 A.M. We will meet you at our Mariah Campground kitchen where you will be greeted by your head guide. Here you will check in and sign the necessary risk-assumption forms.
9:30-10 A.M. TRIP ORIENTATION & LAUNCH YOUR BOATS
We gather at the picnic tables for a thorough 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide to discuss the safety features of the trip and demonstrate paddle techniques. After, you'll meet your own guides, then launch boats from camp to begin rafting a fun and easy section of the river with many Class I-II rapids. This is the perfect time to warm up, practice technique, and swim one of the easier rapids.
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 12 NOON
Get ready for a hearty and nutritious picnic lunch at our private lunch site on the river. Lunch includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, breads, condiments, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonaide, water, and everybody's favorite, peanut butter and jelly. We may decide to shuttle you to the Hwy 49 Access Area, three miles upstream from our camp, in which case we will then have lunch at Mariah's Campground.
AFTER LUNCH
We reboard our boats and continue rafting into the Gorge, where we'll tackle many fun and challenging class III rapids like Satan's Cesspool, Hospital Bar and Recovery Room. All the whitewater, excitement, and your smiles are captured by our kayaking-photographer as they take the best shots for viewing back at camp. After the last rapid we will get a motorized tow to our take-out at Salmon Falls on Lake Folsom, load the boats onto our trailers, grab a cold soda or water, and board Mariah's vehicles for a relaxing 30-minute drive back to camp.
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BACK AT THE MARIAH CAMP
You may choose to take a shower; play volleyball, horse shoes, ping-pong; walk our unique Nature Trail; sit by the river, read, relax; socialize with old and new friends; shop in Mariah's camp store for a cool American River t-shirt. Around 5-5:30 PM, hors d’oeuvres are prepared by your guides.
GOLDPANNING WITH RODNEY
Our professional goldpanner will inspire the imagination while demonstrating how to pan for gold. He is also quite a storyteller and will spin a few tales of the old gold mining days--the days of the California 49'ers. This evening activity is appropriate for everyone.
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MARIAH DINNERS
We receive rave reviews for the quality and quantity of food we serve for dinner. You may be able to enjoy barbequed steak, chicken, colorful salad with lots of veggies to add to it, baked potato, garlic bread, water, and a small amount of wine, beer. Our photographer will present the slide when it gets dark and show shots of you rafting the rapids. Enjoy the campfire, tell stories, sing, and relax under the stars before going to bed.
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SECOND DAY
 8 A.M.
The day begins with another delicious breakfast, usually pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, cereal, juice, fresh coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Let us know if you have a special diet.
9 A.M.
We board our Mariah vehicles for the 45-minute drive to the Chili Bar Put-in, the top section of the river. You already know your guide, and you are already an accomplished paddler, so we launch into the current. The river starts out with exciting rapids so be prepared for a thrill from the beginning. During the first 5.5 miles we will raft through fun and challenging rapids like Meatgrinder, Race Horse Bend, and the Triple Threats. At mile 5.5 we enter Troublemaker Rapid, the largest rapid on the South Fork; hold on to your hat!! After this fun rapid we'll drift and paddle through gorgeous scenery, enjoying the scenic river and calmer rapids. At one point, we float past a replica of Sutter's Mill, the site where that first gold nugget was discovered in 1848 that started the California Gold Rush of 1849.
AROUND 1 P.M.
Arriving back at Mariah's campground we enjoy a hearty barbeque lunch. You will have time to shop for souvenir t-shirts in our walk-in store, say goodbye to your guides and exchange email addresses with the other participants.
DEPART BY ABOUT 2:30 - 3:00 P.M. You will be ready to depart exhilerated and refreshed for your next destination by about 3PM.
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Mariah's Ultimate Tent Experience
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Mariah's campground is outdoor living in style with many of the same comforts you have at home. Rent one of Mariah's Luxury Tents and enjoy the riverfront view while sitting on your own private veranda. Wake up to a steaming hot cup of java at the Coffee Corner, or wind down after rafting at the Wine & Beverage Garden. For the ultimate peaceful moments, take a walk on our Sierra Nature Trail or find a private bench near the river that invites leisure activites.
Want some more excitement after rafting? Play a fun game of volleyball, ping pong, or horseshoes. On most Saturday evenings the crickets join in on live bluegrass music, soft guitar music, a jazz trio, or mandolin playing for your entertainment. On Thursdays Rodney, our resident goldpanner will demonstrate the art of goldpanning. And don't forget about all of the delicious fresh food that the Mariah Guides prepare outdoors just for you.
Our Camp Store is stocked with last minute items you may need for your American River rafting trip. We also have Mariah Gear for sale so you can take something home to remember your whitewater rafting trip. To keep informed about local events or the gold history of Coloma head over to the Guest Information Kiosk.
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Click the image above to view the gallery
Click Here for Accomodations, Equipment Rental, and Order Form
Click Here for the Mariah Camp Ground Map
Click Here for Area Information
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 Eagle's Nest & Falcon's Nest
Eagle's Nest and Falcon's Nest are each on a raised-platform. They are cabin-style tents each with 5 deluxe sleeping cots, 5 deluxe pads, and 5 deck chairs. These airy tents have lovely views of the tree-lined river and there's plenty of room on large verandas to enjoy visiting, morning coffee, an evening glass of wine, a peaceful bird calls.
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 Hawk's Nest
This is our brand new cabin-style tent with 4 deluxe sleeping cots, 4 deluxe pads, and 4 deck chairs. Hawk's Nest rests on the ground and has a nice canvas awning under which you can relax in your deck chair and listen to the sounds of the river.
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Sparrow, Kingfisher, and Hummingbird
Sparrow, Kingfisher, and Hummingbird are each on a raised-platform. They are cabin-style tents each with 2 deluxe sleeping cots, 2 deluxe pads, and 2 deck chairs. These airy tents have lovely views of the tree-lined river. Their verandas are perfect spots for enjoying the river views.
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Mulberry, Acorn, Poppy, and Berry
Mulberry, Acorn, Poppy, and Berry are each on a raised-platform with a small veranda. They are large family-style tents each with 4 deluxe pads, and lovely view of the river.
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 2 Person Dome Tents
2-person Dome Tents are comfortable and have enough space for 2 people, 2 of our deluxe pads (which you may rent for an additional price), and all of your personal gear.
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