Middle Fork Rafting Trip Options
Dive into a full day of thrilling Class III-IV rapids, including the legendary Tunnel Chute and Chunder Rapid, with a calm midday stretch perfect for lunch and recharging. This action-packed adventure delivers big excitement in a single unforgettable day.
Sample Itinerary
- Meet in early morning in Foresthill
- Sign-in, shuttle, instruction
- Class III-IV rapids, including Tunnel Chute
- Snack, Class II rapids
- Riverside lunch
- Class II rapids
- Class IV Chunder Rapid, portage Ruck-a-Chucky
- Class III-IV rapids
- Take-out, shuttle
- Trip ends late afternoon
The river begins immediately with boisterous Class III Panic Alley Rapid. For the next two miles, you'll encounter rapid after rapid until we reach Class IV Tunnel Chute Rapid--a frothing 80-foot chute which ends with a six-foot drop just before it empties into a 90-foot tunnel! But the river has just begun. Not until six miles downstream from put-in does the whitewater begin to mellow after the tumultuous Class IV Kanaka Rapid. At this point you'll have time to relax as we float through a calming Class II section. You'll stop to have a freshly prepared deli lunch along the way.
After lunch, you'll encounter more easy water before getting to Class IV Chunder Rapid--a five-foot drop that will make you gasp. Immediately after Chunder, you'll watch your guides portage the boats around a Class VI 30-foot waterfall called Ruck-a-Chucky. Then it's back in the boats for a swift succession of five burly Class III-IV rapids before we reach our 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.
Mon - Fri: $164
Sat & Sun: $204
2-Day Trips
Stretch out the excitement over two days with time to explore, relax, and camp deep in the Middle Fork canyon. You'll paddle the same whitewater as the 1-Day trip, but with added adventures like inflatable kayaking, optional side hikes, campfire stories, and stargazing.
Sample Itinerary
DAY ONE
- Meet mid-morning in Foresthill
- Sign-in, pack personal gear
- Shuttle, instruction
- Class III-IV rapids, including Tunnel Chute
- Riverside lunch
- Class II rapids
- Set up camp, relax
- Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
- Fall asleep under the stars
DAY TWO
- Coffee, lounging, breakfast
- Break camp, load gear rafts
- Class II rapids, optional kayaking
- Optional side hike, lunch
- Class IV Chunder Rapid, portage Ruck-a-Chucky
- Class III-IV rapids
- Take-out, shuttle
- Trip ends mid-afternoon to late afternoon
In 2 days you'll paddle the same distance of our 1-Day trip but with more time to explore the beautiful wilderness of the 2000-foot deep Middle Fork canyon. All of your personal gear is carried by luggage rafts into a remote beach camp. After an action-packed morning of Class III–IV whitewater, we'll relax through a peaceful Class II section of the river and break for a riverside lunch.
Midway through the calmer section of the river, we'll set up our camp for the evening on a remote stellar stretch of beach. Now is the time for complete relaxation. You can fish, wade in a calm pool, read a book, or just fall asleep under a shady oak. We'll wake you in time for hors d'oeuvres and a freshly prepared meal. Later we'll sit by a fire, laugh and tell stories about our runs through the day's rapids. That night you'll sleep under the stars tucked snuggly inside your sleeping bag.
The next day, coffee and a hearty breakfast get us prepared for another day of exhilarating paddling. You'll have the opportunity to command your own inflatable kayak through the riffles and rapids of the Class II whitewater before we stop to hike up a captivating side stream and break for lunch. Back in the boats, we tackle Chunder Rapid and then your guides will portage your boat around a Class VI 30-foot waterfall. Our 2-Day journey ends with an explosive succession of five Class III-IV rapids before we float 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.
Mon - Thur: $449
Fri, Sat, Sun: $489
3-Day Trips
Take your time and savor everything the Middle Fork has to offer on this expedition-style journey. With three full days to explore side creeks, unwind at remote campsites, and enjoy every rapid, this trip delivers the most immersive river experience.
Sample Itinerary
DAY ONE
- Meet mid-morning in Foresthill
- Sign-in, pack personal gear
- Shuttle, instruction
- Class III-IV rapids, including Tunnel Chute
- Riverside lunch
- Class III rapids
- Set up beach camp, swim, relax
- Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
- Fall asleep under the stars
DAY TWO
- Coffee, lounging, breakfast
- Break camp, load gear rafts
- Class II rapids, optional kayaking
- Optional side creek hike, lunch
- Class II rapids, optional kayaking
- Set up beach camp, swim, relax
- Dinner, campfire (fire season permitting), dessert, revelry!
- Fall asleep under the stars
DAY THREE
- Coffee, lounging, breakfast
- Time relaxing at a remote beach camp
- Break camp, load gear rafts
- Class II rapids, optional kayaking
- Optional side creek hike, lunch
- Class IV Chunder Rapid, portage Ruck-a-Chucky
- Class III-IV rapids
- Take-out, shuttle
- Trip ends mid-afternoon to late afternoon
It is hard to ever get too much of a good thing. This is certainly true inside this 2000’ deep wilderness canyon and on the Middle Fork of the American River. While 1-Day and 2-Day trips are worthwhile adventures, 3-Day trips are the best way to enjoy this California gem if you want to experience all it has to offer.
This special place is located only 17 miles from Auburn and Hwy 80, but it makes you feel like you are thousands of miles away from civilization and the daily grind. The canyon provides amazing scenery around every turn and side creeks with swimming holes and waterfalls to explore and enjoy.
This is a true expedition style trip because we carry everything into the wilderness area on luggage rafts and stop at beautiful remote beaches to camp along the way. Because we are not in a rush to finish the 16-mile journey, we have time to linger, relax, spend time with family and friends, stargaze, and participate in fun extracurricular activities like inflatable kayaking.
Three days on the Middle Fork of the American River will energize the soul for weeks, months, and even years.
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.
All-Departures: $714
