2025 Season: June - October
Trip Options: 1-Day
Who Should Go:
Little Paddlers 5-7 YearsDifficulty: Class I-II |
Kid-Friendly Float & Play Meet Place:
Lotus, CA
(1hr from Sacramento)
Per-Person Rate: $169 - $184
Specialty trip for children 5-7 years old
This specialty float trip was designed just for families with kids ages 5–7 - too young for the bigger rapids, but ready to dip their toes into the fun.
Gentle Class I–II rapids perfect for young kids
Mellow stretch of the South Fork American River in the Coloma-Lotus Valley
Plenty of splashy fun, swim time, and water play
Riverfront picnic lunch under shady oak trees - no work for parents
Optional inflatable kayaks for those craving extra adventure
The Tom Sawyer Float Trip is a relaxed, kid-friendly outing that lets young adventurers build confidence and make lasting memories on the river.
Every day on the Easy Section of the South Fork American is a relaxing day. You'll float through calm pools, marvel at the beauty of the canyon, and every so often get your heart pumping a little faster when the current picks up with Class II rapids. If you feel up to it, you might venture out of the raft and swim in the river or just float in your life jacket as the river carries you around the corner and towards the next riffle.
On 1-Day Tom Sawyer trips we spend a lot time exploring and experiencing the river as a kid yearns to do. Like Tom, we’ll take extra time to enjoy our surroundings. When in season, we'll pick blackberries hanging off the banks, watch a momma duck with her ducklings, swim in small rapids, and float along with a mask and snorkel looking for fish below. It all makes for an adventurous and satisfying day for kids and adults. Lunch along the river is a treat and those who want more excitement and adventure in a smaller water craft can enjoy kayaking instruction.
*The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, water release schedules, time of year, and other factors. Contact us if you have any questions.
The All-Outdoors River Center in Lotus, CA (1026 Lotus Rd) View on map
Note: If you plan to use a GPS navigation system or online mapping service, please use in conjunction with the driving directions we provide.
10:30 am for most trips
This time may change. Please refer to the information sent to you in your Trip Confirmation email, check with your group’s organizer, or contact our office. Plan to be on time; guests that arrive late may miss their trip.
Traveling east from the Bay Area and Sacramento on Hwy 50:
Take the North Shingle Rd/Mother Lode Dr Exit # 37 (also called Ponderosa Rd), just after Cameron Park. Turn left over the freeway and take the first right onto North Shingle Rd (after 4.5 miles it becomes Lotus Rd). Travel 10.5 miles until you get to the first stop sign at Bassi Rd.
To get to the All-Outdoors River Center continue straight on Lotus Rd after the stop sign at Bassi Rd (DO NOT turn left on Bassi Rd). The entrance to our River Center is on Lotus Rd, the second driveway on the left after the River Store. The entrance is marked by a wooden sign and a metal sculpture of a school of fish. Park in the parking area and sign in at the All-Outdoors check-in area under the large oak tree.
Traveling west from South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50:
From Hwy 50 turn right (north) onto Hwy 49/Spring Street in Placerville (this is the second stoplight in Placerville). On Hwy 49, take the bend in the road to the left and follow the signs to Coloma for 7 miles. Once in Coloma, Hwy 49 passes through Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Continue straight through the park for a 1/2 mile to the stop sign at the intersection of Lotus Rd and Hwy 49.
To get to the All-Outdoors River Center, turn left at the stop sign onto Lotus Rd in Coloma just before the Hwy crosses over the South Fork of the American River. Travel ¾ of a mile past the small town of Lotus (3 old buildings on your right) and turn into the All-Outdoors River Center entrance on your right. If you go past our River Office or get to the stop sign at Bassi Rd, you have gone a block too far.
We encourage you to print and use our driving directions and not rely strictly on GPS navigation. GPS / cellular service is limited to nonexistent in outlying areas.
Knowing what to wear, what to bring, and what's provided makes trip planning smooth and easy. Find all the essential details for a comfortable and well-prepared experience on the river.
What to Wear & BringAll-Outdoors uses oar-paddle assist rafts on this trip. With this type of raft you can sit and enjoy yourself while the guide does all the work with their oars, or you can choose to assist them with your paddle. During the trip you can also have the option of paddling in one- or two-person inflatable kayaks. Guides will provide kayak instruction and close supervision while you guide your kayak downstream. All guests who would like to kayak should be able to swim.
Smooth and easy Class I-II rapids make for a fun and relaxing day
Tom Sawyer Float Trips do exactly that...they float an easy 5 mile section of the South Fork American River through the Coloma Valley. This section of the South Fork American River is the perfect float trip for families with small children. The river is gentle and forgiving, with just enough excitement to delight a young child and hold an adult's interest. Most of the time, the whitewater is more "riffle" than "rapid," allowing lots of time for reverie.
The South Fork American River offers all the qualities that make river rafting incredibly fun: lively, approachable rapids, splashing waves, and classic California scenery.
Rolling Sierra Nevada Foothills
As the South Fork traverses the Coloma Valley, it passes between high rolling hills and gentle meadows that were homesteaded in the early 1800s. The river meanders slowly by oak tree groves; alder and cottonwood trees grow right out of the riverbed. In late summer, wild blackberry bushes dot the riverside, offering a delicious time-out for paddlers. The valley is not densely populated, but remains home to local people who reside in this quiet community. As we float down the river, homes are usually buffered from our view by thick river foliage.
The South Fork American is a dam-controlled river. Because the river's flows are regulated, its levels are dependable and extremely consistent. Tom Sawyer Float Trips are offered during warm weather months, typically June through October. In high water years the beginning of the season may be delayed until the river flows drop to normal levels.
* Season length, river flows, and days of water releases may vary. For this year's flow predictions and real-time water levels go to the River Flows page.
On Tom Sawyer trips, we provide a gourmet "build-your-own" sandwich lunch that includes all the fixings you’ll need to assemble the perfect sandwich along with kettle style potato chips, dried fruit, and chocolate. Enjoy your relaxing, riverside meal before heading back out on the water for more adventure.
If you have special dietary requirements, we encourage you to tell us at the time of your reservation so we can discuss options.
Looking for a deal? We offer several ways to save on your rafting trip - whether you’re rafting with kids, planning a group rafting trip, or just hunting for the best value. We also have exclusive offers for returning rafters!
Start here to find the best deal for your next California whitewater adventure. Please note that only one discount can be applied per person and must be mentioned at the time of reservation.
Get season updates, latest rafting videos & blogs, plus enter to Win a Free Trip for Two! Learn more