Sometimes it helps to see the full picture before you make a selection as to which California river you are going to enjoy next. This chart has been assembled to give an overview of all 10 rivers for the purpose of comparison and selection. We hope it helps! Of course, feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
| River |
Level
of
Difficulty |
No of
Days |
River Miles |
Pricing |
Usual Min Age |
Avg. Rafting
Season |
Scenery & Solitude |
Wetsuits |
Driving Miles From |
||
|
SF |
SAC |
LA |
|||||||||
| TRIPS FOR YOUNG KIDS CLASS I-II | |||||||||||
| Tom Sawyer Float Trips on the South Fork Gentle, easy rapids for young families — plus optional kayaking. |
I & II |
1 |
5 |
$164-$179 |
5 |
June -
Oct |
Good |
Typically not needed |
130 |
40 |
425 |
| BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE CLASS III | |||||||||||
| South Fork American Most popular whitewater river in California |
III |
1,2 |
9, 12, 21 |
$129-$399 |
8 |
Year Round |
Good |
Oct - mid-May |
130 |
40 |
425 |
| INTERMEDIATE CLASS III-IV | |||||||||||
| Middle Fork American Scenic 2000' deep wilderness canyon and a taste of Class IV rafting |
III-IV |
1,2,3 |
16,23 |
$179-$654 |
12 |
May -
Sept |
Excellent |
May
|
140 |
50 |
435 |
| Merced Excellent Introduction to Class IV whitewater, near Yosemite |
III-IV |
1 |
16 |
$199-$219 |
12 |
April -
mid-July |
Good |
April - mid-June |
180 |
150 |
310 |
| INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED CLASS IV+ | |||||||||||
| Tuolumne National Wild & Scenic River, one of California 's best multi-day trip |
IV+ |
1,2,3 |
18 |
$339-$814 |
15/13 |
April - Sept |
Excellent |
April - June |
140 |
115 |
370 |
| North Fork Stanislaus Beautiful high alpine setting and lots of whitewater action. |
IV+ |
1 |
5 |
$224 |
15 |
April -
May |
Excellent |
April - May |
160 |
125 |
410 |
| Kaweah River One Rapid after another just outside Sequoia National Park. |
IV+ |
1 |
9 |
$224 |
15 |
April -
June |
Good |
April- mid June |
260 |
240 |
210 |
| North Fork American Big challenging drops through a scenic narrow rock gorge. |
IV+ |
1 |
9 |
$224 |
15 |
April -
May |
Excellent |
April - May |
150 |
55 |
420 |
| Goodwin Canyon Scenic volcanic canyon, fun rapids, two Class IV's. |
IV+ |
1 |
4 |
$224 |
15 |
2 weeks in October |
Good |
Always |
110 |
90 |
350 |
| ADVANCED CLASS V | |||||||||||
| California Salmon Steep rock walled gorge in a temperate rainforest with difficult whitewater. |
V |
1 |
12 |
$339 |
15 |
April -
mid-June |
Excellent |
Always |
395 |
320 |
680 |
| Cherry Creek Considered the most difficult commercial raft trip in the U.S. |
V+ |
1 |
9 |
$409 |
17 |
July - Aug |
Excellent |
Always |
140 |
115 |
370 |
| Tuolumne / Cherry Creek Combos Two of California's finest rivers... one incredible trip |
V+ |
2-3 |
27 |
$969-$1179 |
17 |
July - Aug |
Excellent |
Always |
140 |
115 |
370 |
Get season updates, latest rafting videos & blogs, plus enter to Win a Free Trip for Two! Learn more