Rafting the Middle Fork American River

The Middle Fork of the American River is a fun and full day of Class III/IV water rafting. You'll experience "Tunnel Chute". An very narrow 20 foot wide chute that drops you into gold miners tunnel. Other popular drops and rapids include, Kanaka Falls, Chunder, Bus Crash, Parallel Parking, 101 Airborne and Ruck-a-Chuck. Which you will have to walk along the trail while your guide takes the raft down the Class VI rapid. There's also calm sections to relax and enjoy the view. Towards the end of the trip, you have the option to jump out the raft and float down the river.

There are many tour companies that offer the Middle Fork rafting trip and all are within the same price range (We went with American Whitewater Expeditions). Weekdays are cheaper and less crowded on the river. Lunch (deli style sandwiches, drinks and desert) is included and additional refreshments are offered at the end of the trip.

Concerned with the "F" word? FLIP! A raft flip is not all that bad. Usually, the rafting company travels in groups and the guides watch for each other at all of the technical sections. If a raft flips, the other rafts are there to pick up the Floaters. The guides do a great job of keeping you safe.