• Middle Fork American
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Middle Fork American River

Best Summertime Class III & IV
California River Rafting Trip, American River

Class 3-4 • FAQs

Middle Fork American River Rafting at its Best!

Middle Fork American River Rafting Highlights

• Best California river rafting Class III and IV rapids found anywhere in the summer season
• Remote beauty of the Middle Fork American River canyon
• This trip is a great fit for people who are physically active and over 14 years of age
• A True California river rafting adventure – Incredible scenery with no development
• More thrills and fewer people than the South Fork American River rafting trip
• A short 1 hour trip from Sacramento, 3.5 hours from the S.F. Bay Area, and 6 hours from L.A.*

*Due to the early start time for all Middle Fork American River rafting trips, our 1-day and our 2-day guests are invited to join us the night before the trip and stay at our American River rafting private deluxe riverside campground for $10 – $14 per person. A fantastic California white water rafting adventure!

Middle Fork American River Rafting – What is it Like?

The first rapid to greet you on the Middle Fork is “Good Morning.” If you are not yet awake, you soon will be after that first rush of cold water hits you face first. Within just the first few miles, you’ll tackle the “Tunnel Chute.” The tunnel was blasted through by gold miners in the 1800s in order to divert the flow of the river away from the famous Horseshoe Bend. The Bend forces the river to be squeezed into a 100 ft long, 12-foot wide cascading spillway. The river then flows underground through a navigable tunnel. There truly is nothing else like it in white water rafting anywhere in California!

Once it emerges from the tunnel, the Middle Fork races down the canyon over 5 miles of rapids, reaching its climax at “Kanaka Falls,” a Class IV maelstrom that will force each rafter to test their abilities. After this one last rush, the river mellows and reaches the quiet side of the canyon where guests have a welcome opportunity to enjoy the scenic side of the Middle Fork American River. Steeped in the history of the Gold Rush of the 1840s and 50s the Middle Fork still holds some of the equipment and a few of the mines used during that era. Modern gold miners are even trying to ‘strike it rich’ today!

Middle Fork American River Rafting California Trips

Class 3-4 • FAQs

1-Day Trips $129 – $159   Trip Prices
Our full-day Middle Fork American River adventures include the complete 18-mile segment of the river. This all-day event includes a delicious and relaxing lunch.

We also offer a Middle Fork American River trip without the “Tunnel Chute” Class 4+ rapid, which makes this section of the river more easily accessible to the younger members of your group, or those not quite ready to raft the chute, but who still want to appreciate and experience the intense beauty of this canyon and its rapids. Make a Reservation

2-Day Trips $309 – $349   Trip Prices
The two day Middle Fork American River rafting trip offers guests a chance to raft the Middle Fork twice in two days. Both days will be on the 18-mile stretch of the Middle Fork, and camping will be at our base riverside campground. This is a great 2-day adventure with 2 nights of camping and 5 meals. Make a Reservation

2-Day “Dueling Rivers” Combo Trip $279 – $319   Trip Prices
The South / Middle American River trip rafts the 11-mile Gorge Run on the South Fork on day one, and the 18-mile stretch of the Middle Fork on day two. You will enjoy 2 days of rafting and 2 nights of deluxe tent-type camping along the river, and 5 delicious meals. Make a Reservation

3-Day ‘Dueling Rivers’ Trips   $399 – $429
South /Middle Fork combo: Best of the American River Rafting Adventures
Does your group need an extra day of fun on the American River? Try our new 3-day combination adventure on the South and Middle fork of the American River . On your “Best of the American River” rafting getaway, you’ll enjoy 2 days on the South Fork of the American River, and 1 day on the Middle Fork, with 3-nights of deluxe camping along the riverside and 8 delicious meals! We guarantee that you’ll return home relaxed and revitalized. This is an awesome 3-day American River Rafting Adventure that cannot be beat! Our 3-day “Dueling Rivers” combination trips run on either weekdays, Friday – Sunday or Saturday – Monday. Make a Reservation

Family Rafting / Kayak Trips   CALL FOR PRICES
Our family Class II Raft/Inflatable Kayak Trips enable us to share the splendor of the Middle Fork and its impressive canyon with your entire family. We embark on our white water rafting California trip where the rafts complete theirs and start down the river on an 8-mile journey along the “Lower Section.” This section greets us with bouncy Class II rapids and striking canyon scenery. Minimum age for this trip is 5 years old. Make a Reservation

Current Middle Fork American River Flows