> California River Rafting Comparison Chart
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 |
| EASY BEGINNER CLASS I-II |
Tom Sawyer Float Trips on the South Fork
Gentle, easy rapids for young families – plus optional kayaking.
|
I & II |
1 |
3,6 |
$124 |
5 |
April -
Oct |
Good |
April -
mid-May |
130 |
40 |
425 |
| BEGINNER - NTERMEDIATEI CLASS III+ |
South Fork American
Most popular whitewater
river in California
|
III |
3/4,1,2 |
10,21 |
$109-
$339 |
8 |
April -
Oct |
Good |
April -
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 |
$144-
$494 |
12 |
April -
Oct |
Excellent |
April -
mid-May
|
140 |
50 |
435 |
Merced
Excellent Introduction to Class IV whitewater, near Yosemite |
III-IV |
1 |
16,27 |
$144-$174 |
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 |
$224-$579 |
14 |
April -
Sept |
Excellent |
April -
June
|
140 |
115 |
370 |
North Fork Stanislaus
Beautiful high alpine setting and lots of whitewater action. |
IV+ |
1,2 |
5,10 |
$154-$179 |
15 |
April -
May |
Excellent |
April -
May
|
160 |
125 |
410 |
Kaweah River
One Rapid after another just outside Sequoia National Park. |
IV+ |
1,2 |
9,18 |
$154-$179 |
15 |
April -
June |
Good |
April-
mid June
|
260 |
240 |
210 |
North Fork American
Big challenging drops through a scenic narrow rock gorge.
|
IV+ |
1,2 |
9,18 |
$154-$179 |
15 |
April -
May |
Excellent |
April -
May
|
150 |
55 |
420 |
| ADVANCED CLASS V |
California Salmon
Steep rock walled gorge in a temperate rainforest with difficult whitewater. |
V |
1,2 |
12,19 |
$224-$449 |
15 |
April -
mid-June |
Excellent |
Always |
395 |
320 |
680 |
Cherry Creek
Considered the most difficult commercial raft trip in the U.S.
|
V+ |
1.5 |
9 |
$295 |
18 |
July - Aug |
Excellent |
Always |
140 |
115 |
370 |
|
