Whitewater Rafting on the American River
American-Rivers Homepage South Fork American Middle Fork American North Fork American

American River Rafting: The Most Popular Whitewater Rafting Trips in California

Welcome to American-Rivers.com, your American River rafting information resource. This site provides river flow and access information as well as general river descriptions essential to navigating the forks of the American River in California.

Middle Fork Rafting This site is intended to help experienced California whitewater rafting enthusiasts organize an American River rafting trip. Anyone unfamiliar with American River rafting should consider planning a trip with a commerical whitewater rafting outfitter.


The three forks of the American River begin in the peaks of the Sierra Nevada range in Northern California. From there they meander through granite canyons into the rolling foothills of the gold country. The three forks range in difficulty from Class II (beginner) to Class IV+ (advanced).

The South Fork American
is one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the western United States. It jostles over friendly Class II-III rapids and meanders through the historic gold-mining town of Coloma. The Middle Fork American careens through a secluded canyon over numerous Class IV rapids, including infamous Tunnel Chute Rapid. The North Fork American relies on snowmelt for its flows rather than upstream dam releases-consequently, this American River rafting classic only runs in the spring.

Whitewater Rafting Outside of California
Looking for whitewater rafting information outside of California? Rafting.com: Whitewater Rafting Rivers and Outfitters provides information about whitewater rafting trips and outfitters across the United States, Chile and New Zealand.


Images courtesy of All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting

The Three Forks:
ArrowSouth Fork American
ArrowMiddle Fork American

ArrowNorth Fork American

General Information:
ArrowRiver Permits
ArrowReal-Time River Flows
ArrowProtect American Rivers
ArrowAbout the Book
ArrowAbout this Website

ArrowAmerican River Rafting
with a California Outfitter


American-Rivers Homepage South Fork American Middle Fork American North Fork American


Other California Whitewater Rafting Rivers: