For Right-Brained People
The best thing about the South Fork of the American River is that you can share it with everyone. We’ve taken fearless seven-year olds and their fretful grandparents and we’ve taken world adventurers and their neighbors who’ve never slept outdoors. We’ve taken company groups, scout groups, church groups, and single people who live alone in studio apartments in the big city. We’ve been joined by people celebrating birthdays, weddings, graduations, family reunions and just life in general. Some folks were at the upper end of their thrill threshold, others were at the lower end, but they all kept talking about Troublemaker or Hospital Bar (or both if they were on a 2 day trip). Everyone was in a paddle raft, (with a guide), participating and holding success in their own hands; unnerving at first, but unforgettable in the end.
We offer one-day and two-day whitewater rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River. All trips meet at Camp Lotus, a beautiful campground right on the river in the rolling California foothills between Auburn and Placerville. The meeting place is about 1 hour east of Sacramento, 2 1/2 hours east of San Francisco and 1 1/2 hours west of South Lake Tahoe. Traveling from out of town? The Village Agave, less than 10 minutes away from Camp Lotus, offers boutique lodging options that make for a memorable trip. We provide all of the rafting gear, food, and local transportation as well as friendly, fun, and informative guides (at least one in every raft!). You provide sunscreen and enthusiasm (and some camping gear on overnight trips). No previous experience is required.
1 Day Upper or Lower Trips on the South Fork of the American
Length: 10 miles
Time: 10:00 am to ~ 4:00 or 5:00 pm
Difficulty: Class II – III+ (beginner)
Highlights: The amazing river + Troublemaker OR Hospital Bar
Includes: Hearty and healthy picnic lunch
1 Day Upper or Lower Trip Details
Our one day trips on the South Fork of the American River are exciting journeys through the rolling foothills of California’s Mother Lode country. We will cover 10 miles of river and tackle over 20 rapids, from small riffles to big drops and take a break along the way for a wonderful, riverside picnic lunch. This is a really fun, gently-paced adventure for everyone.
We’ll meet you in the morning right on the river at beautiful Camp Lotus (look for us down by the river). Depending on that day’s flow and release schedule, your preference, and other conditions, we will either take a short bus ride in the morning, raft the Upper Stretch (Meatgrinder and Troublemaker), and finish up back at Camp Lotus or we will launch right at Camp Lotus, raft the Lower Stretch (Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar), and take a short bus ride back to Camp Lotus at the end of the day.
Both stretches are 10 miles long and have about the same number and difficulty of rapids; the rapids on the Upper Stretch are spread out pretty evenly throughout the day whereas the Lower Stretch starts out more gently and then the bigger rapids are concentrated in the afternoon. If we do the Upper, you will be back to Camp Lotus around 3:00; if we do the Lower you will be back to Camp Lotus around 5:00. If you have a preference, let us know.
At the end of the day, you’ll end up back at Camp Lotus where you can shower, change, and grab something to eat.
Our one-day South Fork American River trips are great for first-time rafters yet still lots of fun for seasoned veterans.
Download a PDF of our One Day Upper or Lower Trip Details
View our Equipment List and Packing Guide for our One Day South Fork trips
Rapids/day: ~20
Gradient: 23 feet/mile
Signature Rapids: Troublemaker or Hospital Bar
Types of boats: Paddle rafts
Minimum recommended age: 12 before May 31; 9 in June; 7 after July 1
2 Day Camp Lotus Trips on the South Fork of the American
Length: 20 miles
Time: 10:00 am (day 1) to 3:30 pm (day 2)
Difficulty: Class II – III+ (beginner)
River highlights: Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar (day 1), Meatgrinder and Troublemaker (day 2)
Camp highlights: Peaceful, shady riverside campground with showers, flush toilets, and vehicle access
Includes: 4 delicious meals, all rafting equipment, (camping equipment available to rent)
2 Day Camp Lotus Trips Details
Two-day Camp Lotus trips camp right along the river, but your vehicles, hot showers, and flush toilets are just a short walk away. Camp Lotus is a beautiful, private campground with lots of trees and shade located along the South Fork of the American. These trips are great for people who want two days of rafting but still want the conveniences of flush toilets and electricity.
We’ll meet you right at the launch site (Camp Lotus) where you will meet your guides, get your gear, and receive a thorough safety and orientation briefing before getting in the rafts. We will run the lower stretch of the river on the first day. This stretch starts off gently, and we’ll warm up with some easy Class II rapids and cool off in some peaceful calm stretches. The “big rapids” come after lunch when we enter the famous “American River Gorge”. Fun rapids with classic names like Satan’s Cesspool, Lost Lunch, and Hospital Bar provide plenty of thrills. At the end of the day, we’ll bring you back to Camp Lotus where you can shower, change, and relax while we make you a delicious dinner. On the second day, we’ll take a short van or bus ride to the launch site for the “Upper Stretch” of the South Fork. After a full morning of fun rapids like Meatgrinder and Troublemaker, we’ll stop for lunch and then enjoy a leisurely float back to Camp Lotus for a mid-afternoon arrival.
Download a PDF of our Two Day Camp Lotus Trip details
View our Equipment List and Packing Guide for our Two Day South Fork trips
Rapids/day: ~20
Gradient: 23 feet/mile
Signature Rapids: Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar and Troublemaker
Types of boats: Paddle rafts
Minimum recommended age: 12 before May 31; 9 in June; 7 after July 1
All I’ve thought about all morning here in my office is yesterday’s trip. My son really, really enjoyed it, as did I. Too many things to list. Probably the best was seeing how happy my son and all his buddies were for the whole day in their raft and in the water together.
Water levels
NOTE: El Dorado County requires that we print the following notice: Water flows in the South Fork of the American River result from releases from hydro-electric facilities located upstream. Such water releases are not subject to the control of El Dorado County or commercial companies operating under permits from the county of El Dorado.