South Fork American River Super 1 Day Trip
Trip Details SF Super 1-day TripTrip Length: 1 Day Difficulty: Class 3 Minimum Age: 8 yrs
- Make Reservation Now! Government river use fee plus $8 per person county, state and federal river access fees. Trip Departures: Saturdays during June through September and Thursdays during June through August. You may arrive the night before your rafting trip for your first nights of camping.
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TRIP COSTS and SCHEDULE OF TRIPS |
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Super 1 day trips are scheduled to depart June thru August every Thursday and Saturday. |
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Weekends Sat-Sun | Midweek Mon-Fri |
$249 adult $249 youth |
$229 adult $229 youth |
All trips are subject to a $8 per person federal, state and county river access fee |
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Evening before your trip
Arrive anytime after 4 PM the day before your trip. Dinner is not included. Set up your tent on the grass lawn or check into the EarthTrek dome tent or cabin tent that you rented. Enjoy your evening by the South Fork American River.
FIRST DAY
SECOND DAY
We offer you a selection of ways to get to the American River. The easiest and most popular means of transportation is to drive your own car. Driving directions are detailed below.
Southwest Airlines offers convenient service to Sacramento from many California and Western cities. Rental cars are available at the airport or if you have a group of 10 or more check with EarthTrek about a van or bus shuttle.
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Our South Fork, Middle Fork and North Fork American River trips all meet at the EARTHTREK EXPEDITIONS CAMP in Lotus on the South Fork American. Following are driving directions to our camp.
From Southern California (approximately 7 hours driving time): Take I-5 north to Sacramento and follow the directions below from Sacramento.
From San Francisco Bay Area (2- 2 1/2 hours driving time): Take I-80 east to Sacramento and follow the directions below from Sacramento.
From Redding and the Sacramento Airport: Take I-5 south to Hwy 50 east (freeway sign on I-5 directs you to Fresno) and follow the directions below from Sacramento.
From Sacramento (1 hour driving time): Take Hwy 50 east towards Placerville/Lake Tahoe. Drive about 34 miles to Ponderosa Road (Exit 37)and exit the freeway. At the freeway offramp stop light turn left and cross over the freeway. At the second stop light, just past the freeway, turn right on North Shingle Road. Continue about 11.5 miles (the road becomes Lotus Road at mile 5) until the road deadends at Hwy 49. Turn left on Hwy 49 and cross over the American River Bridge (as you cross over the bridge you'll see our camp and grass lawn on the left). Turn left at the SECOND DRIVE into River Park Village and follow the road down to our gravel parking lot which is behind River Park Village.
From South Lake Tahoe: (1 1/2 hours driving time): Take Hwy 50 west over Echo Summit to Placerville. Turn right (north) on Hwy 49 (Spring Street) and drive about 9 miles thru the historic gold discovery site in Coloma and cross over the American River Bridge. Past the bridge turn left at the SECOND DRIVE into River Park Village and follow the road down to our gravel parking lot.
From Reno or North Lake Tahoe (2-2 1/2 hours driving time): Take I-80 west to Auburn and then take Hwy 49 south. You will cross over the North Fork of the American and then climb to the community of Cool. From Cool,6 miles. Continue on Hwy 49 about 10 more miles to River Park Village, which will be on your right (do not cross over the bridge). Turn right at Yossum's Pizza and follow the road down to our gravel parking lot.
When you arrive at our camp please check in at our camp store or follow the directions posted on our bulletin board in camp. Here you will find information about any camping gear you may have rented and where it is located.
If you are arriving late please observe our quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. If you have an RV you are welcome to park in our lot and sleep in your vehicle but there are no hook ups and please no generators during our quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.
DRIVING DISTANCES and TIMES | ||||||||||
Times and distances are approximate and will vary with traffic, road and weather conditions. Check CalTrans for current road conditions. | ||||||||||
To EarthTrek from | San Diego | Anaheim | Bakersfield | Fresno | San Jose | San Francisco | Redding | So Lake Tahoe | Reno | |
Mileage | 548 miles | 450 miles | 318 miles | 212 miles | 162 miles | 130 miles | 205 miles | 70 miles | 115 miles | |
Driving Time | 9.25 hrs | 7.75 hrs | 5.5 hrs | 3.75 hrs | 3 hrs | 1.75 hrs | 3.5 hrs | 1.75 hrs | 2.25 hrs | |
WHICH IS THE BEST WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP?
The South Fork American River is an excellent white water rafting trip for first time rafters but we also recommend it for rafters of all abilities because of its exciting and fun rapids, reliable summer water flows, comfortable camping facilities and economical prices.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO WHITE WATER RAFTING?
Excellent rafting is available from April to October on the South Fork American thanks to reliable releases from a several upstream mountain reservoirs. For thrill seekers looking for high water excitement we suggest booking your trip in May to early June when the melting snow is at its peak. Summer months of June, July and August are the most popular times to raft, especially on weekends. If you can schedule your trip during the midweek you will have the advantage of enjoying greater solitude on the river at a lower cost.
HOW ARE RIVERS CLASSIFIED FOR DIFFICULTY?
The difficulty of a river is classified on a scale of I to VI with I being very easy and VI unrunnable. We have classified the rivers based on normal moderate water flows but during times of high water river, difficulty levels can be increased. We recommend a Class III river for beginning rafters and a Class IV river for experienced rafters looking for more action. Class V river trips are reserved for expert, highly experienced rafters.
WHAT TYPE OF WHITEWATER RAFT DO I RIDE IN?
On the South Fork American self-bailing paddle rafts are used for maximum fun and excitement. Each of the 4-8 passengers has a paddle to help power and maneuver the raft while the guide steers and directs the crew. On high water trips or for passengers with special needs, an oar raft where the guide rows the boat, may be used.
WHO CAN GO WHITE WATER RAFTING?
Generally, just about anyone in reasonable health and fitness can go rafting. The minimum age for a child on the Class III South Fork American river (under normal water flows) is 7 years old and a minimum weight of 55 pounds. During times of high water flows we may need to increase the age minimum to 12 or 14, depending on the water level conditions. There is no maximum age although anyone over 60 should be in good health and perhaps consult with your physician if you have any concerns. If you are pregnant, extremely overweight, or have back or heart problems, we do not suggest a raft trip. Swimming skills are not a requirement since your safety jacket will keep you afloat but it is recommended that you not have a fear of the water.
WHAT ABOUT YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER 7?
Children 7 and older are welcome on the Class III South Fork American but for families with kids under 7 we offer our non-rafter program where one parent pays full fare for a two day trip and the other parent pays $55 for camping and all meals (except day 1 lunch) and this includes no extra charge for the kids. This program allows one parent to raft the first day and then they can switch and the other parent rafts the second day. This program also applies if you have a non-rafter that just wants to camp and have meals with you, but not raft.
WHAT DO I PROVIDE?
You will be sent a checklist of what to bring when you make a reservation or you can view a checklist on our web site. Basically you will need to bring a sleeping bag, a foam pad or air mattress, and your personal clothing and toiletries. A wet suit is essential during spring trips when the water is cold and the weather is more unpredictable. For participants of EarthTrek operated trips, we can provide low cost rental wet suits, tents, sleeping bags and foam sleeping pads.
ARE GROUP RATES AVAILABLE FOR COMPANY GROUPS, CLUBS OR YOUTH GROUPS?
A river trip is the perfect activity for a group and we offer discounts to groups starting at only six people. See our web page titled GROUPS for more details. Special rates are also available for youth groups such as Boy Scouts or YMCA.
BUT I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS
If you have more questions, simply E-mail us or call EarthTrek Expeditions at (800) 229-8735 and we will be happy to answer them.
On all EarthTrek Expeditions trips all of your gear will remain at our South Fork Camp so you do not have any restrictions on what you can bring. The following list is suggested items. We do not suggest that you bring valuables but if you must we do offer a safe to lock your items during the day or you can lock them in your car and leave your keys in our safe. On the river most people prefer to wear a swimsuit or shorts, tennis shoes without socks and a T-shirt (a T-shirt is good to keep the sun off but a wet cotton T-shirt may give you a chill). You will get wet so dress accordingly.
One Day Trips
If cool or inclement weather is a possibility, we recommend the following items
Multi-Day Trips
* Please note that we do not allow personal cooking or use of camp stoves and similiar devices in camp. You may bring precooked food and ice chests.
If cool or inclement weather is a possibility, we recommend the following items.
Optional Items
As an option, when available, if you would like to arrive the morning of your trip we can substitute your second night of camping for the night after you complete your 2 day trip. Additional nights camping is available for $10/ night per person.
At our camp, EarthTrek will provide meals during your stay. We do not allow individuals to cook their own meals so please do not bring camp stoves for food preparation. There are several restaurants within walking distance of our camp.
Our campground is not equipped for RVs. You are allowed to park your RV in our parking lot and stay in it at night but PLEASE do not run your generator from 10 PM to 7 AM. If you would like to stay at a campground with RV hook-ups check out our links page for a list of campgrounds in our area.
Bring your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad or rent what you need from EarthTrek. See below.
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CABIN TENTS CLICK HERE for more information |
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RIVER FRONT TENTS |
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DOME TENTS, FOAM PADS and SLEEPING BAGS |
Dear Earthtrek,
When my friend Wendy and I were making plans to take our families rafting, she said "Earthtrek" because her fire chief husband had worked with you and found you to be a professional, competent group.
Signing up was no problem, even though we had an age range from 8 to 70, with teenage boys in the middle!
Then came the news stories---it seems that 2011 is a huge record year for high water and dangerous rapids, and even the fire cheif said, "Yep, there have been fatalities"! While my mother wanted to make alternate plans for the 8-year-old, We wanted to stay together. When I called your office with concerns, I appreciate that you took me seriously. When, after waiting and deliberating, it was decided that we could go, I was glad you had explained the various adaptations and considerations you could make for us.
At the end of the day, I can't tell you how happy we were! When Nick started us out on the river, he was paying attention to our response, and it was Laurel, my 8-year-old who first said "Hey we missed those waves!" After that, Nick guided us down the river with complete control, but without missing any of the fun! Trevor guided our other raft, and ended up having to jump out and give assistance to the raft of another company--it was a serious situation, and helped us all appreciate that we were able to have such fun because our guides really knew what they were doing!
I've just framed the two 16 x 20's that will always take us back to our kids' first rafting experience; what a great day!
Thanks for your patience and personal attention; you guys are just fantastic!
Sincerely,
Carolyn P
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