Rafting the American River Near Sacramento with a Group

The three ways to raft the American

The American River gives a group three very different days on the water, and the right one depends on your youngest and least confident paddler.

The river has three forks above Folsom Lake, plus the lower river that runs through the Sacramento suburbs to the city. Outfitters run guided trips on the forks. The lower river is where people rent their own rafts and float.

• South Fork: the classic family and group trip. OARS rates it Class II to III overall, with Class III rapids on the Chili Bar section. Its season runs into early October, long after the spring-only North Fork stops.
• Middle Fork: harder and more remote. OARS describes technical Class III to IV whitewater, with a minimum age of 12. All-Outdoors lists rafts of 5 to 6 guests plus a guide.
• North Fork: the hardest of the three, Class IV and up, and only in spring. All-Outdoors calls it free-flowing with no upstream reservoirs and lists a typical minimum age of 15.
• Lower American River: a calm, self-guided float in the Sacramento area, popular on hot afternoons.

Guided trips compared

A half-day Chili Bar run or a full-day Gorge run on the South Fork suits nearly every group, and the table shows how the main options compare.

The figures below come from the OARS and All-Outdoors pages on the date of this guide. Prices vary by date, so check the current price on the outfitter's site before you budget.

How to choose:

• If your group spans grandparents to eight-year-olds, book the Gorge full day. OARS rates it easier to moderate, the same as the half day, and the full day gives the group more time on the water together.
• If you have a short window or nervous first-timers, book the Chili Bar half day. It is shorter, and you are back in time for an afternoon at the house.
• If your group is adults and strong teenagers, look at the 21-miler or the Middle Fork for more whitewater.
• If it is a work trip, OARS lists a South Fork Team Building Express trip at $149 per person.

Seasons and water levels

The South Fork runs from April through early October, but the best weeks for a group with young kids are usually from mid-June onward, after the spring high water.

OARS lists the South Fork season as April through early October. The Middle Fork traditionally runs from Memorial Day weekend through September. The North Fork depends on snowmelt and usually runs from mid-April to late May, sometimes into June.

Spring is when the rivers are biggest. OARS raises its South Fork minimum age to 10 to 12 during high water, typically mid-May to early June, and raises Middle and North Fork minimums to 16. All-Outdoors also says higher spring flows can raise its minimums and recommends wetsuits and extra layers in spring, early summer, late fall or at higher flows.

Age limits and who can go

Most outfitters take children from 7 or 8 on the South Fork, 12 on the Middle Fork and around 15 on the North Fork, and every guest needs to meet a few basic requirements.

All-Outdoors lists typical minimum ages of 5 for its easy Class I to II float on part of the South Fork, 7 for the Class III South Fork, 12 for the Middle Fork and 15 for the North Fork. OARS lists 8 for most South Fork trips and 12 for the 21-miler and the Middle Fork.

Beyond age, check these for everyone in your group before you book:

• Life jacket fit. All-Outdoors says guests with a chest or torso size over 52 inches cannot take part, because the life jacket has to fit.
• Health. Guests who are pregnant or have health concerns should contact the outfitter first.
• Sobriety. All-Outdoors does not allow guests to raft under the influence of alcohol or other substances that cause impairment.
• Minors without a parent. A guest aged 17 or younger who is not with a parent needs a parent or guardian's permission.
• Swimming. All-Outdoors says swimming is not required on the South Fork in normal flows, but stronger swimmers are needed on harder rivers and at higher water.

If a few people in your group do not want to raft, they can drive to the take-out and meet the boats, or spend the day at the house.

Safety rules that apply to everyone

Wear a life jacket on the water every time, whether you are on a guided trip or floating on your own.

On a guided trip, the outfitter supplies the life jacket and helmet, gives a safety talk at the put-in and puts a guide in each boat. Listen to that talk, especially the part about what to do if you fall out.

On the lower river, there is no guide. Sacramento County's water safety page tells everyone to wear a life vest when they swim, fish, boat, float or wade, "even if you're a strong swimmer." County law (Sacramento County Ordinance 13.08.301) requires parents and guardians to put a Coast Guard approved life preserver of the right size on children under 13 in public waters in the unincorporated county. The county lists a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or six months in jail.

The county also lends life vests for free. Its water safety page lists 11 loaner stations in the Sacramento area, each with 8 to 12 vests, including sites at Discovery Park, River Bend Park and Sunrise on the American River Parkway. Some stations carry only kids' sizes, so bring adult vests.

The county's other rules for the river:

• Alcohol, drugs and water sports don't mix.
• Never use rope swings or jump off bridges.
• Don't chase your gear downstream; let it go.
• Never leave children unattended near the water.
• Wear shoes, because murky water hides rocks, logs and trash.
• Wait several days after a big storm before going in.

The lower American River float

For a relaxed afternoon with no whitewater and no guide, rent rafts or tubes and float the lower American River in the Sacramento suburbs.

American River Raft Rentals in Rancho Cordova rents rafts, tubes, kayaks and paddle boards at Sunrise for a self-guided float of about 6 miles. Visit Rancho Cordova lists the rental as open from April through October when the weather allows. Shuttle prices and reservations are on the operator's own site; check the current price there, and book ahead for weekends and holidays.

This float suits a group that wants a lazy day together, but it still needs care. The water is cold, the current can be swift in places, and there are no guides. Put a strong swimmer in each raft, keep children in life jackets the whole time, and plan to be off the water well before dark.

Planning the day for a big group

A rafting day goes smoothly when the group knows who drives, what to wear and what to bring before the morning of the trip.

1. Book early. Summer weekends fill first. Book once you know your head count, and confirm the minimum age rule for your date.
2. Send a short gear list. All-Outdoors suggests quick-drying clothes, no cotton, shoes that stay on in the water, a hat, sunglasses with a strap and sunscreen.
3. Plan the cars. South Fork trips start in the foothills east of Sacramento. Check the drive time from your house to the meeting point, and pack the cars the night before.
4. Leave phones behind. Outfitters advise against bringing phones. A waterproof camera strapped to a life jacket works better.
5. Plan an easy evening. Everyone will be tired. A simple dinner at the house beats a restaurant reservation for 16.

Where to stay

A large home in the Sacramento area puts the whole group in one place the night before an early start, with room to dry gear and cook a big dinner after the river.

See our homes in Sacramento and nearby Roseville, including the seven-bedroom Sacramento House. For the rest of the trip, our guides to things to do in Sacramento with a large group and day trips from Sacramento for groups cover museums, the river trail and Gold Country. Planning a reunion around the river? Start with our family reunions page.

The bottom line

For a group near Sacramento, a guided South Fork trip is the safest and simplest way to raft the American River: Class III water, minimum ages around 7 or 8, and a season from April to early October. Book from mid-June if you have young kids, put every boat in one reservation, and confirm the age rule for your date. For a calm day instead, float the lower river with rented rafts and a life jacket on everyone.