CLASS 1... Slowly flowing water. No rapids. No maneuvering required.
CLASS 2... Slowly flowing water. Some waves and minor rapids. Very little maneuvering required.
CLASS 3... Swift current with minor obstacles. Substantial Rapids, maneuvering required. Should not be attempted without an experienced guide. Recommended for beginners and intermediates.
CLASS 4... Swift current with numerous obstacles and frequent rapids. Constant maneuvering required. DO NOT ATTEMPT without an experienced whitewater guide. Recommended for experienced rafters.
CLASS 5... Very strong current with many obstacles and long violent rapids. Scouting is mandatory. Expert maneuvering required. Only for experienced, healthy individuals.
CLASS 6... Considered by most to be unrunnable. Recommended for those with suicidal tendencies
 

American South Fork

Rating: Class 3
Distance: 21 River Miles
Season: April-Early October
Location: 8 Miles north of Placerville, CA

In the heart of the Gold Rush country, the South Fork of the American River is the most popular river in California, and for good reason. Ideal for groups, families or first-timers, exciting class 3 rapids alternate with calm stretches for practicing new skills or enjoying a swim. Cascading its way from the Sierras and flowing through the town of Coloma, where gold was discovered in 1848, the river tumbles through beautiful scenery rich with history and wildlife. After your rafting adventure, enjoy volleyball, horseshoes, gold panning and excellent fishing. Or, simply relax along the river at our secluded 40-acre camp complete with an outdoor dining area, restrooms, hot showers and changing facilities. The South Fork is ideal for families.
 

Cost per person	Weekday	Sat - Sun
Half-Day Trips	$69	$89/$79
One-Day Trips	$89	$109/$99
Full River, 1 Day Trips	$109	$139/$129
Two-Day Trips	$199	$239
Two-Day Trips incl. R/T trans. from Southern California	N/A	$299

American Middle Fork

Rating: Class 3-4
Distance: 18 River Miles
Season: May-September
Location: 19 Miles east of Auburn, CA

Rich in gold rush nostalgia, and blessed with breathtaking beauty, the Middle Fork of the American winds its way through a deep and remote canyon in the heart of the Mother Lode. Alternately wild and serene, the Middle Fork offers a combination of thrills, excitement and quiet wilderness. “Good Morning” rapid welcomes us with a dose of bracing whitewater, and the lively pace builds for several miles. Then we reach “Tunnel Chute,” where the river thunders through a narrow and jagged granite chute, turns abruptly, and passes through a 90-foot cavernous tunnel blasted out of the mountain by 18th century miners. Emerging from the turbulence of the chute, the river changes character and lazes through the scenic and peaceful canyon before launching into the final stretch of exhilarating class 3 and 4 rapids, including a mandatory portage around the spectacular class 6 “Ruck-a-Chucky Falls.”
 

Cost per person	Weekday	Sat - Sun
One-Day Trips	$109	$139/$129
Two-Day Trips	$229	$249
Two Day South/Middle Combo	$239	$26
Two-Day South/Middle Combo incl. R/T trans. from Southern California	N/A	$329

 

American North Fork

Rating: Class 4
Distance: 9 River Miles
Season: April-May (some years early June)
Location: 10 Miles east of Auburn, CA

Pristine, exhilarating, and technical, the North Fork is the natural choice for South Fork veterans looking for more challenging whitewater. The river originates from the Desolation Wilderness, high in the Sierra, and thrills with almost continuous rapids, plunging through a spectacular, narrow canyon carpeted with springtime wildflowers. “Chamberlain Falls” and “Devil’s Staircase” are two of the many class 4 rapids tackled before lunching at Yankee Jim’s bridge, a still-functioning relic of bygone gold-mining fever. After lunch the river calms, meandering peacefully through the tranquil river canyon. Because of its solitude, beautiful scenery, and challenging rapids, the North Fork continues to be a favorite one-day adventure for experienced rafters. This trip is recommended for physically fit individuals with previous class 3 commercial rafting experience. Six guests per raft. 
 

Cost per person	Weekday	Sat - Sun
One-Day Trips	$89	$109.
Double North Fork	$129	$159
South/North Combo	$219	$249

Kaweah

Rating: Class 4+
Distance: 8 River Miles
Season: April-May (some years early June)
Location: 30 Miles east of Visalia, CA

One of America’s steepest river runs, the Kaweah rumbles past the ancient giants in Sequoia National Park before plummeting westward through some of the wildest class 4+ rapids in California. The Kaweah is a wonderful 8 mile surprise that grips river runners from the start. Rapids like “Twist Shout” and “Lower House” are fast and furious. The current twists and bucks through big drops before sling shotting us through “Suicide Falls” and “the Flood. “ Just as quickly, the Kaweah changes moods. It flattens out, pulling us gently through the town of Three Rivers. Further on, huge polished granite slides appear, evidence of the unyielding power of water over rock. These sensuous, slippery flumes, called “the Slickies,” provide unending fun as we paddle back into them and “surf” wildly for as long as we wish. This river isn’t for the meek or mild at heart. It’s a terrific run for experienced paddlers thirsting for a first-rate whitewater challenge.
 

Cost per person	Weekday	Sat - Sun
One-Day Trips	$109	$129.
Two-Day Trips/Two Nights Lodging -double occupancy	$319	$339
Two-day Trips/ One Night Camping	$239	$259

 

Upper Klamath River

Rating: Class 4
Distance: 24 River Miles
Season:June-September
Location: 30 Miles northeast of Yreka, CA

Beginning in Oregon and ending just inside the California border, the “Hells Corner” section of the Upper Klamath is an action-lover’s dream.  Initially, we drift through several miles beautiful scenery and abundant birds and wildlife. The tranquillity soon ends as the river descends into “Caldera,” the first of forty major rapids that make the Upper Klamath a river runner’s delight. As we descend into the isolated, narrow canyon, we encounter a seemingly endless series of class 2-3 rapids. We take out immediately below the class 4 section, camp for the night. After breakfast, we shuttle upstream and do it again! Unlike the Sierra rivers, the Upper Klamath races through 18 miles of isolated volcanic canyon thick with oak, fir, cedar and pine. The Upper Klamath takes us past ranches, cabins and wagon trails virtually unchanged since covered wagons creaked along the Oregon Trail in the 1800's. Even the rapids reflect this western heritage with names like Gunsmoke, Stageline, Branding Iron, Ambush and Ol' Bushwhacker. As intense as it is beautiful, this river is outstanding in all it offers to true river enthusiasts. 
 

Cost per person	Weekday	Sat - Sun
Two-Day Trips	$249	$279.