Tom Sawyer Float Trip

TRIPS FOR YOUNG KIDS - CLASS I-II

Explore Tom Sawyer Float Trips
(South Fork Easy Section)

Typical Season: June through October. More

The middle portion of the South Fork American is a perfect float trip for families with young children aged 5-7 years old. This meandering section features gentle Class II rapids and calm, relaxing pools. Lounge on the boats or swim in peaceful areas as you wind through the gold country of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Difficulty & Scenery

  • Trips for young kids, Class I-II
  • Gentle rapids & calm pools
  • Open, foothill canyon

Who Should Go

  • Families with children too young for the Beginner-Intermediate trip
  • Specialty trip for children 5-7 years old

Trips Include

  • Pro guide & instruction
  • Equipment & shuttle
  • Inflatable kayaks
  • Fun games for kids
  • Picnic lunch

Trip Planning



Tom Sawyer 1-Day Float Trip

1-Day float trip with Class II rapids and optional use of inflatable kayaks

5 miles
Lunch included

Tom Sawyer 1-Day Float Trip Pricing

$164 Monday - Friday
$179 Sunday

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Cancellation Policy

Sample Itinerary

  • Meet mid-morning in Lotus
  • Sign-in, shuttle, instruction
  • Class I & II rafting and river exploration
  • Lunch
  • Optional kayaking with instruction and Class I & II rafting
  • Take-out, shuttle
  • Trip ends mid-afternoon

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.

Tom Sawyer Float Trips Rafting Map

More About Tom Sawyer Float Trip
(South Fork Easy Section)

Smooth and easy rapids

THE RAPIDS:
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 river scenery: rolling hills and gentle meadows

THE RIVER SCENERY:

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.

Located 50 minutes from Sacramento

LOCATION:
50 mins from Sacramento, 1.5hrs from Lake Tahoe

Because the South Fork is so close to many metropolitan areas, it's easy to go on a rafting trip yet still arrive back home with plenty of time to relax. You'll begin rafting and kayaking late afternoon, have lunch, then raft and kayak some more before ending in mid-afternoon.


 
The Tom Sawyer Float trips rafting season

TYPICAL RAFTING SEASON:
Sun-Fri, June - October*

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 and flows may vary. For this year's flow predictions and real-time water levels go to the River Flows page.

Meals: Freshly prepared riverside feasts

MEALS:
Freshly prepared riverside feasts

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.

How You Participate in Rafting the River

GUEST INVOLVEMENT:
How You Participate in Getting Down the River

All-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.

Highly Recommended with Great Reviews

All-Outdoors is the most recommended whitewater rafting outfitter in California. See for yourself:

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Great family adventure

"Great family river rafting trip. Did this trip with a bunch of family and we were all able to take our kids. Great river rafting experience for the little kids. We had 5 year-olds all the way up to 12-year-old. Trip had a lot of coasting and right amount of class II Rapids to make it fun for adults and kids."

Shawn from Redondo Beach

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Deals & Discounts

Start here to find the best possible deal for your next California whitewater rafting adventure. Please note that only one discount can be applied per person and must be mentioned at the time of reservation.

Group Discount

There are a variety of discounts for group rafting trips. All types of groups are welcome!

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Youth Discount

Youth 17 years or younger receive a 10% discount on any trip on any date!


Frequent Floater Program ®

You earn a FREE day of rafting with our exclusive Frequent Floater Program!®


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