• Middle Fork American
• Trip Prices
• Details & Directions
• Interactive River Map
• Trip Photos

For details regarding the Middle Fork American River whitewater rafting trips, download and print the PDF information sheet listed below for the trip you will be taking. See also our printable Disclaimer Form, which must be completed and and brought to the river with you. See also our Frequently Asked Questions page.

• Middle Fork American One Day Trip Information Sheet (pdf file)

Meeting Place and Times

All Middle Fork American River trips meet at our Privately Owned Camp Area right on the banks of the South Fork of the American river, near the town of Coloma.

Depending on the trip you’ll be taking, meeting times will vary from the night before your trip for all 2-day trips, and 7:00 a.m. for all 1-day trips.

Directions

If you are coming from either northern or southern California begin with driving to the city of Sacramento. Once there, take Highway 50 towards South Lake Tahoe through Sacramento and into the foothills. Take Exit #37 (Shingle Springs/Ponderosa Rd), found one mile past Cameron Park, then turn left and cross over the Highway. Once you reach the second stop light, turn right onto N. Shingle Rd, following it approximately 4.2 miles to the Y. Once at the Y turn onto Lotus Rd, and follow it 7 miles until it dead-ends into Highway 49, here you will turn Left onto Highway 49 and drive 1.7 miles. Begin to slow down at the 1.5 mile mark and look for the 6580 WHITEWATER EXCITEMENT SIGN to your left. Turn here and follow the Whitewater Excitement signs to the parking area. Park and then walk forward to our Store/Check-in area.

Guests traveling from the South Lake Tahoe area will need to take Highway 50 west towards Placerville. Make a right onto Spring Street, at the Highway 49 sign, Spring Street turns into Highway 49. Follow Highway 49 to Coloma State Park. Once past the park you will cross a bridge, after which you will continue 1.5 miles past the bridge and look for the 6580 WHITEWATER EXCITEMENT SIGN to your left. Make a left at the sign and follow the signs to the parking area. Walk forward to the Whitewater Excitement Store/Check-in area.

If you are traveling from the North Lake Tahoe area, start by taking Interstate 80 west to Auburn. Take the Elm Street exit, make a right across the overpass and merge to the left lane. You will drive down a short decline before turning left onto High St., which will lead you to Highway 49. Follow Highway 49 to Cool. Five miles past Cool is the town of Pilot Hill (a one gas station town, BP Station). Drive 5.5 miles from the BP Station and look for the 6580 WHITEWATER EXCITEMENT SIGN on your right. Turn right here and follow the signs to the parking area. Walk forward to the WWE Store/Check-in area.

WWE Camp Store

At the meeting area, we have a small store that has many different items for sale. T-shirts, sweat shirts, river shorts and sandals, hats, along with waterproof cameras, lip balm, and sunscreen, plus many camping items, snacks and drinks. The store will be open in the morning before & afternoon after your trip.

What to Bring

1-day trips you will need a swimsuit or shorts, tennis shoes or Teva type sandles, hat, sunglasses with retaining device, sun block, lip balm, pile or poly-pro sweater along with a windbreaker in case of cool weather, disposable waterproof camera, garbage bag for wet clothes, a small amount of money for souvenirs, photos, extra set of clothes and dry shoes (left in the car) for the trip home.

Wet suits are required during the spring (prior to Memorial Day) and during times of HIGH WATER (can sometimes last until mid-June). Wet suits are provided to you as a service of WWE. Our wet suits fit those under 6’4” and/or 260 pounds. For your safety, those not having wet suits when required will not be able to participate in the trip.

2-Day Trips you will need the above one day list plus, sleeping bag and pad, tent (optional after Memorial Day), camp clothes (dry shoes, long pants, shirt, sweater or jacket), personal and toiletry items, flashlight, insect repellent.

Meals

Guests on our one day trips are provided with a delicious riverside deli-styled buffet lunch included a plentiful sandwich bar with a variety of meats, breads, cheeses, veggies, pasta or potato salad, potato chips, fresh fruits, cookies and ice cold drinks.

Guests on our two day trips are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the first day and breakfast and lunch on the second day. All meals include fresh veggies and fruit, and cold and hot beverages. Dinners consist of Grilled Chicken, Filet Mignon, Cesear Salad, Baked Potato, French Bread, Corn on the Cob, Wine, Sodas and Beer, and our Great Dutch Oven Baked Desserts.

Campgrounds

We have our own private camp area, only for WWE Guests, right on the banks of the South Fork of the American river. Our facilities include: bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets, sinks and mirrors, recreation areas with volleyball, horseshoe pits, and ping pong. All of our camp areas are group areas that are assigned prior to your arrival. Smaller-sized groups could be sharing an area with another smaller-sized group.

Reservations for the WWE Camp Area can be made by calling our office at (800) 750-2386. Cost for camping is $10.00 – $14.00 per person per night. We do also have areas for RV’s, however, we do not have any hook-ups available.

Coloma Resort (530) 621-2267
American River Resort (530) 622-6700
Camp Lotus (530) 622-8672

Lodging

Hotels / Motels
Motel 6, Cameron Park (530) 677-7177
Quality Inn, Cameron Park (530) 677-2203
Best Western, Auburn (800) 201-0121
Holiday Inn, Auburn (877) 863-4780

Bed & Breakfasts
Coloma Country Inn, Coloma (530) 622-6919
American River Inn, Georgetown (530) 333-4499
Chichester Mckee House, Placerville (530) 626-1882
Powers Mansion Inn, Auburn (530) 885-1166
h3. Driving Times

Los Angeles 420 miles • 7 +/- hours
San Francisco 110 miles • 2.5 hours
San Jose 160 miles • 3 hours
South Lake Tahoe 80 miles • 2 hours
North Lake Tahoe 95 miles • 2 hours

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