Group Discounts


Jon Osgood
Jon Osgood Owner

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South Fork American River Whitewater Rafting

California Rafting in 1 & 2 Day Fun Outdoor Trips

Our Most Popular River Trip Since 1980!
Cascading down the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Gold Rush Country, flows the scenic South Fork of the American River. Just a short drive east of Sacramento or west of Tahoe, the South Fork of the American River offers over 30 exhilarating rapids and a great deal of fun and enjoyment. Whether this will be your first time or you are a whitewater veteran, the South Fork of the American River will provide an exciting and thrilling adventure for your family and friends.

When: April - September Whitewater Rafting

The El Dorado County Visitors Authority has an excellent site with lots of information about the South Fork of the American River and the surrounding area. Check out their South Fork American River Map and their Virtual Tour with a rapid by rapid description of the South Fork. The El Dorado County Visitors Authority has also made available a South Fork American River Access Map for people interested in exploring the South Fork American River. South Fork Flows

Minimum age for all participants: 6 years old   Youths are ages 6 - 16.

Itinerary - South Fork American River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Share Your Adventure Trip Photography Package Option - Share your Adventure

Please note: A 7% Government Land & River Use Fee is added to all trip prices.

Deluxe Bus Super Deluxe Bus: $75.00 Round Trip Available!
(If fuel prices exceed $4/gallon bus cost may go up.) See details here!

Choose a Whitewater Rafting Trip

California Outdoor Recreation Family Fun Vacation

California River Rafting South Fork American River

  HALF DAY UPPER CHILI BAR RUN - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING
½ Day Chili Bar Run* Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday Sunday
Cost Per Person Adult Youth Adult Youth Adult Youth
$89.00 $79.00 $108.00 $98.00 $99.00 $89.00
Friday Special $82.00 $72.00

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

  • Where: Chili Bar to Coloma
  • Length: 8 miles
  • Class: III

If your time is limited but you still want to experience the joy of whitewater rafting, then this trip is just for you. You'll raft the Chili Bar Run which quickly puts you into some challenging rapids including Meatgrinder, Triple Threat, and Troublemaker. (Lunch is not included but can be added for $7/person.) (Camping the night prior to your trip is FREE.)*

Offered Tuesday, Friday, & Sunday for groups of 1 - 9.  Groups of 10+ can start any day except Wednesday.

* Additional night's camping and meals are available. Please inquire for details.

  ONE DAY LOWER GORGE RUN - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING
1 Day Gorge Run* Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday Sunday
Cost Per Person Adult Youth Adult Youth Adult Youth
$116.00 $106.00 $129.00 $119.00 $132.00 $122.00

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

  • Where: Coloma to Salmon Falls
  • Length: 15 miles
  • Class: III

We'll meet you at our riverside campground and, following a safety talk, you'll be on your way for a day of fun on the exciting Gorge Run. Your trip begins just below Troublemaker Rapid and you'll raft past James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. This trip includes a hearty lunch served beside the river, cold beverages at the end of your trip, and a shuttle back to camp. (Camping the night prior to your trip is FREE.)*

Offered Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for groups of 1 - 9.  Groups of 10+ can start any day except Wednesday.

Add the Ultra Package Option

  ONE DAY WHOLE RIVER - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP
Whole River 1 Day* Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday Sunday
Cost Per Person Adult Youth Adult Youth Adult Youth
$139.00 $129.00 $159.00 $149.00 $149.00 $139.00

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

  • Where: Chili Bar to Salmon Falls
  • Length: 21 miles
  • Class: III

Are you looking for a super full day on the river that's just packed with fun, excitement, and thrills? Then this is the trip for you! You'll raft the entire length of the American River South Fork in a wet and wild one-day trip, have a hearty deli lunch along the river, and enjoy cold beverages at the take-out. (Camping the night prior to your trip is FREE.)*

Add the Ultra Package Option

Offered on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday for groups of 1 - 9.  Groups of 10+ can start any day except Wednesday.

  TWO DAY - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP
2 Days Monday & Tuesday
Thursday & Friday
Friday & Saturday
Sunday & Monday
Saturday & Sunday
Cost Per Person Adult Youth Adult Youth Adult Youth
$259.00 $239.00 $279.00 $259.00 $289.00 $269.00

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

  • Camping  
  • Where: Chili Bar to Salmon Falls
  • Length: 21 miles
  • Class: III

Join American Whitewater for two days of fun, sun, and whitewater on the South Fork of the American River, one of the most popular whitewater rafting trips in the world!

Your South Fork American river voyage begins with your arrival the day before your trip at our deluxe on-river campground, complete with indoor restrooms and free hot showers, swimming pool, volleyball court, and more. The first day of your trip begins with a hearty breakfast then, after an informative safety talk, you're off to the American River for a day of fun, laughter, excitement, and lots of exhilarating whitewater.

The first few rapids you'll encounter on the lower stretch are small but spirited and will allow you to practice your new paddling skills. Then a huge deli-style lunch to match those big, outdoor appetites will be set out for you by the side of the river. After lunch we're off to challenge "The Gorge" and experience the excitement of outstanding rapids such as Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar.

At the end of the day's rafting, cold beverages and transportation back to camp await you. At camp you can enjoy some tasty hors d'oeuvres, a hot shower, volleyball, and free time until we serve a delicious healthy dinner that will satisfy the heartiest appetite. Later we'll watch a slide show featuring YOU going through Satan's Cesspool and Hospital Bar Rapids. Then you'll relax as the campfire is lit, and music and camaraderie begin around the warmth of the flames.

The second day of your American River adventure begins with the aroma of fresh coffee hinting at the hearty breakfast being prepared by our gourmet cook. Then the thrills start swiftly on the upper stretch with more outstanding whitewater including rapids such as Meatgrinder, Triple Threat and Troublemaker. A tasty lunch completes your unforgettable 21 mile trip. You'll leave with memories of beautiful scenery, the satisfaction of challenges met and shared with friends old and new, and the fun and exhilaration of whitewater rafting.

Monday & Thursday starts preferred for midweek two day trips. (No water on Wednesdays.)

Be sure to check out the special group rates and family trips.

  *ONE DAY ULTRA PACKAGE OPTION - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER RAFTING

Add $45/adult & $40/youth, ages 6 - 16, to your One Day Trip.

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

Enjoy our one-day Gorge Run or Whole River trip with lunch PLUS

  • 2 Day's camping  
  • Length: 15 or 21 miles
  • Dinner
  • 2 Breakfasts
  • Use of thick foam sleeping pads

Arrive the day before your trip at our comfortable campsite. Enjoy a tasty hot breakfast the morning of your trip, raft the invigorating Gorge Run or Whole River* Run complete with a deli lunch served along the river, then, back at camp, you'll have our hearty dinner and all the fixings! Camp that night, have another great breakfast the next morning, and then depart at your leisure.

*If you are adding the Ultra Package to your Whole River Trip, your dinner may be served on the day prior to your trip. 

On midweek whitewater raft trips receive a 50% discount on rental gear.


Jon & Nancy
I wanted to let you know just how much my family and I appreciated our experience on the South Fork last week.

Given the large amount of snow melt, and all the press it had generated, we had some reservations about taking 3 children, ages 8 - 14, and a blind man on the river. When we arrived at your site and saw the river up close, we really questioned our sanity. Peter got together with us and, although he made no guarantees, he convinced us that the risk was minimal, and that if we followed our guide's leads, we would indeed have a safe experience down the river.

Our guide, Grant (pronounced Gront), was fabulous. This guy is a class act; skilled in rafting and as personable as it gets. Peter knew exactly what he was doing when he put the 7 of us in Grant's capable hands. When we got off the river and back to the camp site, the staff was friendly and made all of us feel as if we were part of their family. Even the trainees did their part to make us feel at home.

Because I coordinated this trip for my brother and sister-in-law and their 3 children, I really wanted to do something special and make it a memorable part of their trip to California. The 2 days spent with your group exceeded our expectations in so many ways, and I can't thank you enough! We can't wait to get back on the river.

See you soon... Thanks again! D.N.

California River Rafting South Fork American River

  1 & 2 DAY MIDWEEK FAMILY VACATION SPECIALS - SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER
Family Midweek Specials One Day Two Day Whole River Trip
Adult price: $116.00 $259.00 $139.00
Special youth, ages 6-16, price: $75.00 $169.00 $91.00

Spaces fill fast or call 800-825-3205 - Spaces Fill Fast

Adults paying full fare can take ONE CHILD PER ADULT for these special prices.

Two Day

Where: Chili Bar to Salmon Falls, 21 miles
Class: III

One Day

Where: Coloma to Salmon Falls, 15 miles
Class: III

Whole River Trip

Where: Chili Bar to Salmon Falls, 21 miles
Class: III

 FREE 4-person tent rentals (set up)! You save up to $25.00

The American River South Fork is the ideal adventure for families. You'll really appreciate the slower midweek pace and the special attention you'll receive. Enjoy the fun and excitement of whitewater rafting with your kids while creating wonderful memories of time spent together on the river. Your kids will develop an appreciation for the great outdoors, get to know the wonders of nature, and have a terrific time. Our guides are enthusiastic, safety conscious, and looking forward to introducing your family to the thrills of rafting. We'll take good care of you and your kids on these special family trips.

Only American Whitewater's campground is able to offer your children such fun-filled activities as fishing in a trout-stocked pond, swimming in the pool, and playing volleyball and horseshoes. Plus, James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park is only a 5 minute walk from our camp.

THESE SPECIAL TRIPS ARE AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS:

One-Day Trips: Monday and Thursday.

Two-Day Trips: Monday & Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.

Whole River Trips: Tuesday and Friday. Minimum groups of 10+ rafters, your group or join ours. Groups of 10+ can also start on Monday or Thursday.

Half Day Trip: See Half Day Trip for Friday Half Day Trip Discount.

Group discount applies only to rafters paying full fare, not special rates.

Arrive Sunday for Monday & Tuesday trips. Arrive Wednesday for Thursday & Friday trips. Or you can arrive the morning of your trip by 8:00 AM for breakfast. FREE camping the night before on all One Day Trips.

All South Fork raft trips: Single bookings OK. Minimum age - 6 years. Youth are ages 6-16.


  GROUP DISCOUNTS - WHITEWATER RAFTING SOUTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER

Small Group Special:

  • 5 paid rafters, 6th is half fare

Big Group Discount:

  • With every 11 paid rafters, 12th is free and so on.
  • Plus, with 12 rafters, a discount of $5 on half-day & 1-day trips and $10 on 2-day trips.
  • With 18 rafters, 1 is free and 1 is half fare.
  • 22 paid rafters, 23rd and 24th are free etc.
  • 22 paid rafters: a per person discount of
    • $20.00 on two-day trips
    • $10.00 on one-day trips
    • $7.00 on half-day trips

Group discounts apply only to rafters paying full fare, not special rates

  ARRIVAL TIMES FOR ALL AMERICAN RIVER SOUTH FORK WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIPS

For two day trips you can arrive at the campground anytime after 5:00 PM the evening before your trip. Our greeter will be there to welcome you from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (until 1:00 AM on Fridays). After 10:00 PM look for the signs directing you to your camping area or tent.

For one day and half day trips, if not camping prior to your trip, arrive at 8:45 AM (later arrival times available by prior arrangement), and for whole river trips arrive at 8:30 AM, having already had breakfast. Breakfast and additional camping can be added. Please inquire.

Free camping the night before all Half Day and One Day Trips. Additional camping $10/person/day.

*A 7% Government Land & River Use Fee is added to all trip prices.


All South Fork American River trips: Single bookings OK, minimum age - 6 years, youth are ages 6-16.

Bus Rafting Trips Custom party bus trips are available for larger groups midweek or weekend


Hi Jon & Nancy

I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful time our group had with you this past weekend! For many of us it was our first time rafting. We had a great experience from the moment we arrived at camp on Friday night to the time we departed on Sunday afternoon.

Your guides were excellent. I know 2 of the guides were Scott and Jen. I think the other one might have been Taylor, but I'm not too sure. Anyway, everyone had a very pleasant experience and felt very comfortable with their guides! The food was AWESOME! I don't think I've ever eaten that much and it was all so good.

We have already decided that we will make this an annual event with our group and hopefully make our group larger each year. Rest assured I will be contacting you later this year to make the arrangements for Memorial Weekend!

Thanks again, C. M.
P.S. However, I don't know if I can wait until next year to raft again I had so much fun.