The 2025 California Whitewater Rafting Season Update
All-Outdoors operates professionally guided whitewater rafting trips on 10 California rivers. River trip options vary in a range of ways, including the level of difficulty, length of trip, minimum age requirements, driving distance, seasonality, and available itineraries. Consider what kind of experience you want for yourself and for your group before selecting a river and date.
Great Flows All Season Long!
We offer rafting trips in California from April until the end of October every year, and each river has its own season. In 2025, a healthy Sierra snowpack and full reservoirs set us up for a long, full season of whitewater rafting fun. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly trip with the kids or a thrilling ride for your group of experienced rafters, you have great options to choose from!
Late Summer and Fall Rafting in 2025 (September – October)
Summer rafting conditions continue even after Labor Day! Dam-controlled rivers with upstream reservoirs benefit from healthy flows released on a consistent, regular schedule:
South Fork of the American (Class 3+ Beginner-Intermediate)
Now through September 30: FOUR days a week (Thu-Sun)
October 1 – October 27: FOUR days a week (Fri-Mon)
Middle Fork of the American (Class 3-4 Intermediate)
Now through September 30: FIVE days a week (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Goodwin Canyon (Class 4+ Intermediate-Advanced)
Double Runs scheduled on the following two weekends:
Sat-Sun October 11-12,
Sat-Sun October 18-19.
Raft the American River!
This could be you! Paddle through fun, splashy rapids on the South Fork or take on the exciting wilderness of the Middle Fork. With options for first-timers and thrill-seekers alike, there’s an American River rafting trip for everyone!
Now: Up to 25% off select trips!
2025 California Rafting Season – River by River
South Fork American
The rafting season on this fan-favorite river opened in April and will run through October. After Labor Day, excellent rafting flows are guaranteed on four days of the week: Thursday – Sunday in September; and Friday – Monday in October. Take advantage of this quieter time on the river and join us for some classic Class III rafting!
Tom Sawyer Float Trips (South Fork Easy Section)
The Class I-II young kid-friendly Tom Sawyer Float Trips on the easy section of the South Fork American are still running through late September, making it a great option for a late-season river outing.
Middle Fork American
Rafting on the Middle Fork began on Memorial Day weekend with scheduled normal flows starting on Saturday, May 24. Rafters benefited from reliable releases six days a week (no Mondays) through Labor Day, September 1. After Labor Day, river trips will be available every day except Monday and Thursday through the end of September. This year’s long season provides a great opportunity for our wonderful overnight river trips through Middle Fork’s wilderness canyon.
Goodwin Canyon
Our Goodwin Canyon season will run for two weekends in October when water releases from the upstream dam are increased to help the spawning salmon. This hidden Class IV+ stretch of the lower Stanislaus River will be available during our Goodwin Canyon Double Runs on October 11-12 and 18-19.
The following rivers are no longer running for the rest of the 2025 rafting season:
Merced River
With plenty of snow stored in Yosemite National Park’s high country, the mighty Merced River delivered a thrilling season of big roller coaster waves and plenty of forward paddling. Trips began in April, and ran through mid-June. While the river may remain runnable a little longer at lower flows, we wrapped up our Merced season as flows dropped and shifted our focus to the other incredible rivers we offer.
Tuolumne River
The Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River was a great rafting choice this season! Rafting trips kicked off in April, with Moderately-High flows continuing through most of the spring. By mid-June, the river settled into its Normal summertime flows, offering thrilling Class IV+ whitewater through Labor Day, September 1.
North Fork of the Stanislaus River
Back for its third season in a row, North Stan’s healthy low-elevation snowpack provided us with a short season lasting through early May.
North Fork of the American River
This most difficult of the three forks of the American River has had a great season this year. April and early May offered the best opportunity to raft through its narrow gorge. By mid-May the river flows dropped too low and the season here is done until 2026.
Kaweah River
The southern Sierra didn’t see as much snow as areas farther north, but the Kaweah River still delivered plenty of excitement – we offered trips through June 8 this season.
California Salmon
The river flows on the northernmost river we run lasted through the end of June this year.
Cherry Creek / Upper Tuolumne
The Cherry Creek rafting season began once river flows decreased to normal levels, which occurred in mid-June this year. The upstream reservoirs were releasing flows for rafting until September 1 which was the last day of the Cherry Creek season.
Keep Reading – There Is More to Explore:
Updated on September 2, 2025
Lenka Bostian
Lenka started working for All-Outdoors in the summer of 2005 when she followed her heart from her native Czech Republic out to California. After graduating college in Prague, she packed up her degree in International Business and moved across the pond for good. She’s been part of the AO family ever since, wearing different hats along the way. Besides trail running, tennis, and traveling, Lenka enjoys rafting and camping on the South Fork with her hubby (former AO guide) and their twin boys.
