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South Fork American River >
2-Day Trips with Wine Tasting
Located between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe, the Class II-III South Fork of the American River is the most popular river in California.
Trip Overview
- Wine tasting during hors d'oeuvres
(every Saturday evening)
- 21 miles of river
- Two days rafting
- One night of camping
(the night during)
- Four great meals included
We rate the California’s South Fork of the American River as the best river in California for both first-time and more experienced rafters. As the most popular river in California, California’s 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.
- Every Saturday evening, during hors d’oeuvres, the guides give a special presentation of some El Dorado wines. Sometimes a local musician will entertain. What a fun way to relax!
- Our riverside campground is private (no other rafting companies share it), has a well-equipment camp store which provides last-minute items you may have forgotten, flush toilets, and hot-water showers.
- Note: Our South Fork 2-Day Trips on Monday-Tuesday and on Thursday-Friday all have a small amount of wine available during dinner, though the special wine-tasting is only during our Saturday-Sunday trips.
Download: South Fork Wine Tasting & Rafting 2-Day Trip DIRECTIONS and PACKING LIST.
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Click the image above to view the gallery
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Departures: Every Saturday, May through 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
Saturday: Adult $280 Youth $243
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.
I just spent the weekend at your camp with the TableforSix group. Just wanted to mention that I had a fantastic time! Great hospitality from the moment I arrived and walked to my tent, which was all set up and ready to go (too easy)!!! Also, I wanted to say that the meals were all excellent!
"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
I wanted to send you a thank you note. My weekend at Mariah was phenomenal! I cannot tell you how much fun we had! Everything turned out perfect! All the food was good (banana pancakes, lobster, fresh fruit!), our guides were awesome! The first day we were on Mike's raft; he was knowledgeable about the area and told us a bit about the history of the area we were rafting through. The next day we were with Julie. She was fun, and explained how the water works and how to read it. Both guides were grade "A"! I still can't stop thinking about it, I didn't want to come home. I would say that this was an experience I will never forget; I just fell in love with everything and everyone.
D.M., South Fork American River, 2-Days, 5/06
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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 CAMP
You may choose to shower, play volleyball, horseshoes, ping-pong; walk our unique Nature Trail, sit by the river, read, relax, socialize with old and new friends or shop in the Mariah camp store for a souvenir t-shirt. Around 5-5:30 P.M., hors d’oeuvres are prepared by your guides.
 BEVERAGE GARDEN
Every Saturday evening during this time, we have a special wine-tasting presentation in our Beverage Garden. There is plenty of fruit juice for the kids.
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SATURDAY EVENING AT MARIAH CAMP
Mariah usually features a local bluegrass and mountain-music musician that entertains during hors d’oeuvres. Other Saturdays you may catch an eclectic assortment of music from the 40’s, 50’s, and more from local groups.
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 veggies to add to it, baked or mashed potato, garlic bread, water, and a small amount of wine, beer.
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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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