American River (North Fork)

Whitewater rafting, family trips and inflatable whitewater kayaking are activities American Outdoors outfitters offer on the 38-mile Wild and Scenic North Fork of the American River.

Fasten your life jackets--It's going to be a bumpy ride. The famous Giant Gap run of the even more famous North Fork American River is one of the most challenging runs in Northern California. Cliffs tower 2,000 feet above clear green streams smashing a path through rapids choked with boulders. Heaps of mine tailings and an old cabin ruin border the course of this roller coaster ride through the historic Mother Lode.  Come visit in the spring or early summer for optimum whitewater action!

OTHER INFORMATION:

• The 9.5 mile river run from the Iowa Hill Bridge to Ponderosa Bridge provides several Class IV-V rapids, most noteably: Chamberlin Falls, Staircase Rapids, and Bogus Thunder. Trips down this river are typically made in one day.
• The Chamberlin Falls Gorge, beginning just one fourth of a mile below the Iowa Hill Bridge, holds within its walls breathtaking scenery and several exciting rapids. The Chamberlin Falls Rapid is an 8 to 10 foot sheer vertical drop into a deep pool of violently churning water.
• Bogus Thunder and Staircase Rapid are two additional Class IV rapids that demand great respect, as well as several other Class III-IV rapids between Iowa Hill Bridge and Shirttail Canyon.
• Rapids: IV to V (Difficult to Expert)
• Length: 38 miles