North Fork of the American River

Location: Sacramento, California, near San Francisco and Lake Tahoe

The North Fork of the American River is conveniently located close to Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe. The free-flowing North Fork American River is the most difficult of the three forks, rated advanced Class IV+. As it flows through a 2000′ deep canyon, lush foliage extends from high on the canyon ridges down to the whitewashed riverside cliffs, while streams from side canyons cascade into the incredibly clear North Fork American.

Go Rafting with A Commercial Outfitter on the North Fork of the American

All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting is one of the original California outfitters. They run one day trips in the Spring and early Summer on the North Fork of the American River. Visit their website for more information about American River rafting.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV / Intermediate

The entire length of the North Fork is 9.5 miles. The excitement begins immediately as you enter Chamberlain Falls Gorge. Slaughter’s Sluice, the first rapid, is a long series of pinball maneuvers that culminates at the infamous 7′ Chamberlain Falls! Zig-Zag, Achilles Heel, Bogus Thunder and Staircase rapids, located further downstream, require intricate moves to negotiate through slalom courses of giant boulders and steep drops.

Season: April - May

Completely dependent on melting snow from the Sierra Nevada, the North Fork is a spring river and usually runs during April and May. An above average snowpack will extend the season into June.