River Resources
Raft for a Good Cause!
Do you want to enjoy world class rapids and support a good cause? Book a rafting trip through the American River Conservancy. Your payment will help the American River Conservancy conduct important conservation, education and land stewardship activities.
The South Fork American River is one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the United States. The 20-mile run from Chili Bar to Salmon Falls offers 20 named rapids and many waves in between. Rapids range in difficulty from Class I to Class III - IV depending on water conditions.
Our river rafting trips are conveniently located out of Coloma, California. Trips range from mild to wild, 4 hours to 2 days and are for ages 6 to 86. We operate our raft trips on the beautiful and scenic South Fork of the American River which contrasts from steep rocky canyons to rolling oak covered foothills. An easy 45-minute drive from Sacramento, the South Fork American River is close enough for a day trip yet just remote enough to give you the flavor of wilderness.
Safety is a major priority. Our outfitters use the best equipment available and our guides are professionals who share their knowledge and love of the outdoors and the river with you. Whether you are an individual, family, tour group, non-profit organization or corporate client - we aim to provide you with an extraordinary outdoor trip.
Chili Bar Park
Chili Bar Park is operated by the American River Conservancy through a conservation easement. Save money and support the Conservancy, buy a Chili Bar Season Pass in our online store.
The park is open from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Hours and access are limited to only a few days a week before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. For details about river flows and levels, please call 530-621-6616 or visit the DWR's Data Center.
Dogs and children are welcome, but please be aware that the beach area is very active from 8 am to 1 pm on a daily basis, with loading and unloading of autos and trailers. Please keep an eye on your kids and keep your dog on a leash.
Guidelines for Chili Bar
- NO Gold Panning
- NO Overnight Camping
- NO Refunds
- NO Glass containers in the park
- All Users (including non-boaters) pay park fees
- Please respect wildlife - Do not chase the geese or other water fowl
- Please pick up after yourself, your kids and your dog
- Be courteous to others
Water Conditions
River running involves both personal responsibility and risk. Educate yourself about water conditions before you boat! You can always call the flow phone at 530-621-6616 , or visit the website for real-time flow information. Water flow is measured in CFS, or cubic feet per second. It measures the volume of water flowing past a given point in one second. For comparison, one cubic foot equals about 7.5 gallons.
On the South Fork American River, releases from Chili Bar dam control the flow. During the boating season (May through October), flows are mostly predictable. November through April flows can be highly variable from day to day.
Water Safety
Common sense and courtesy are good rules to live by when on the river, whether you are boating or enjoying the river without a paddle. Here are some guidelines to follow:
• Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). No exceptions! Not only can this save your life, but you can be issued a ticket if you aren’t wearing life jacket or PFD.
• When in doubt, wear a helmet.
• Make sure someone on your boat knows how to perform CPR or is trained in swift water rescue and first aid. Always keep a throw rope on your raft for emergencies.
• Use a multi-chamber raft.
• Wear a wet suit/dry suit when the combined water and air temperatures is 120 or less (Farenheit scale).
• Wear shoes that won’t fall off in the water (no flip-flops or clogs), preferably ones that cover the toes.
• Respect the Quiet Zone.
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