Tuolumne River Rafting Trips

Sample Itinerary

• Meet in the morning, outside Groveland
• Sign-in, shuttle
• Instruction, paddling practice
• Class IV+ rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class II-III rapids
• Class IV rapids
• Take-out, shuttle
• Trip ends late afternoon

Your trip begins quickly in the Class IV boulder slalom of Rock Garden Rapid. The next four miles bring an onslaught of technical, intricate Class IV+ rapids with large hydraulics and immense boulders. Soon you'll reach Class IV+ Clavey Falls, a legendary rapid due to its sheer drop and intimidating hydraulics.

After Clavey, the water mellows to an enjoyable Class II-III level, giving you an opportunity to look beyond the whitewater in front of you and take in the grace and beauty of the Tuolumne canyon. We'll stop for a delicious, well-earned riverside lunch on a relaxing beach. Back on the water, soon you'll be crashing and careening through more Class IV whitewater. Just when you're getting tired, we'll pull into take-out.

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.

Sample Itinerary

DAY ONE

• Meet in the morning, outside Groveland
• Sign-in, pack personal gear
• Shuttle, load gear rafts, instruction
• Class IV+ rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY TWO

• Coffee, breakfast, relax
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Class IV+ Clavey Rapid
• Class II-III rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Take-out at Lake Don Pedro, shuttle
• Trip ends late afternoon

Beginning with the Class IV boulder slalom of Rock Garden Rapid, you'll find that the whitewater on your first day hardly lets up. You'll speed through complex, demanding rapids until we stop for lunch. Back on the water, you'll careen through more Class IV whitewater before we reach our camp for the evening. While your guides prepare dinner, you can relax in the shade, fish, go for a hike, or take a nap—whatever suits your mood. After an enjoyable meal, you'll spend the night nestled in the beauty of the Tuolumne Canyon.

The next morning, you'll awaken to freshly brewed coffee and a hearty meal. Another day of whitewater brings more challenges and thrills. You'll experience the intensity of Class IV+ Clavey Falls before floating through a quieter Class II-III section of the river. But it's not long before the Class IV action returns with rapids like Grey's Grindstone, Cabin, and Hell's Kitchen. We take out on the quiet waters of Lake Don Pedro.

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.

Sample Itinerary

DAY ONE

• Meet in the morning, outside Groveland
• Sign-in, pack personal gear
• Shuttle, load gear rafts, instruction
• Class IV+ rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY TWO

• Coffee, breakfast, relax
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Class IV+ Clavey Rapid
• Class II-III rapids
• Riverside lunch
• Class IV rapids
• Set up camp
• Optional side hike and/or relax
• Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
• Fall asleep under the stars

DAY THREE

• Coffee, breakfast
• Relax, optional hike
• Break camp, load gear rafts
• Riverside lunch
• Class III rapids
• Take-out at Lake Don Pedro, shuttle
• Trip ends late afternoon

The best way to savor and enjoy the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne is to do it in three days. No extra river miles, but you'll be able to explore the hidden places of this amazing canyon--the very spots that people on shorter trips don't have the time to discover. On your first day, you'll blast through fast, in-your-face Class IV whitewater. That night, you'll camp by the Clavey River, one of two main tributaries on the Tuolumne. Here you can glide down a natural water slide or relax in a warm swimming hole carved out of solid rock.

Your second day starts with the largest rapid on the river, Class IV+ Clavey, and ends with a long stretch of Class IV rapids. You'll camp along the North Fork on your second night. Here you'll have time to fish, read, hike, or simply relax on the white sand beaches. We end the trip the next day by enjoying some good Class III rafting.

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.