Quick Details
Experience a Historical Adventure Rafting on the South Fork American River in CA!
River: South Fork of the American River
Section: Chile Bar Run
Duration: Half-Day Experience
River Miles: 12 River Miles
Minimum Age: 7 years old
Whitewater Class: Class II-III+ (Adventurous Beginner/ Intermediate)
Raft Sizes: 13’, 14’ & 16’ rafts are used: On the South Fork of the American River, our rafts can take up to 6-8 guests + a guide.
Guided Tours: Professional river guide in each raft providing instructions throughout the journey
Highlights
Best beginner rafting from North Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Central California, and the Bay Area- Fun rapids around each bend throughout the entire trip
- Perfect introductory and first-time river trip
- Large waves, splashes, and plenty of swimming opportunities
- Fun for the whole family
- Historical California Gold Rush landmarks
Centrally located in California (2 hours from the Bay Area)
Where We Meet:
- Pilot Hill, California: 4531 Salmon Falls Rd, Pilot Hill Ca, 95664
- Vehicles left at our office for the day; load into our marked van for a 25 minute drive to the river. Amenities Include parking, restrooms, changing rooms
Approximately 1 hour from Sacramento. 2 hours from Bay Area, and 1.5 hrs from North Lake Tahoe
What To Expect:
After Making a Reservation:
Day of the Tour: Arriving at Meeting Location:
- Check-in at Pilot Hill Office at set meeting time: Check confirmation email
- Board rafting bus for a short 30-minute drive to the river
- Gear up with PFD, paddle, helmet, wetsuit/splash jacket if needed
- Quick orientation on river safety and paddling instructions
- Launch into the South Fork of the American River for an exhilarating rafting experience
What to Expect on the South Fork of the American River Chile Bar Run:
- Beginner/Intermediate whitewater rafting suitable for all adventure levels
- 12 miles of whitewater excitement
- Travel through the golden foothills of the Western Sierra Nevada mountains
- Historical significance with the river playing a key role in the 1848 California Gold Rush
- Fun-filled Class II and III rapids with exciting features like “Meat Grinder” and “Triple Threat” and the aptly named “Troublemaker”
- Rejuvenating swimming holes, allowing time to relax, swim and sunbathe
- Guides entertain with stories as boats float by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park
- Extraordinary adventure for all with beautiful foothill scenery and rich historical context
Availability:
- Runs every day, typically from May to mid-September (dependent on river flow)
- All availability can be reserved online or call for reservations
Why Choose Tahoe Whitewater Tours?
- Experienced river guides prioritizing safety and guest service
- Over 30 years of history on rivers, showcasing the beauty of the South Fork of the American River
- Pioneers in providing a thrilling rafting experience with historical significance
South Fork American River Chile Bar Run
Join us on an unparalleled half-day guided whitewater rafting adventure with our South Fork American River Chili Bar Run! Perfectly crafted for both adventurous beginners and intermediate enthusiasts, this 12-mile journey kicks off in the heart of central California, immersing you in the stunning golden California foothills of the Western Sierra Nevada mountains.
As you navigate the exhilarating rapids, relish the warm sun and refreshing splashes, creating an ideal escape for whitewater enthusiasts.
Trace the historical roots of the region back to 1848 when the South Fork of the American River played a pivotal role in the California Gold Rush. Today, the river draws adventure seekers for its thrilling rapids and scenic beauty. Brace yourself for the excitement of “Meat Grinder,” the grand entrance to a day filled with Class II and III rapids, ensuring a new challenge with each twist and turn.
Midway through the journey, as you continue navigating through thrilling rapids, anticipate the culmination in the adrenaline-pumping Class III drop, “Trouble Maker,” near the trip’s end. As you float by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, our guides share captivating stories, infusing historical charm into your adventure.
Immerse yourself in the perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, splashy rapids, and historical richness on the South Fork American River Chili Bar Run. Join us for an unforgettable whitewater rafting experience where every ripple tells a tale of excitement and discovery!
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Type of trip: Adventurous Beginner/ Intermediate rafting
This section is Class II-III+ Meaning they are adventurous beginner/ Intermediate rapids, Family Friendly, perfect for first-time river rafters with some exciting moments in the Class III’s. We refer to this section as an adventurous beginner due to the big splashy waves and technical maneuvering in some of the bigger whitewater rapids.
The South Fork Chile Bar section of whitewater kicks off with a bang! Within the first mile, thrilling Class II and III rapids set the tone for an action-packed day. Rapids like the long and technical “Meatgrinder,” the exhilarating “Triple Threat,” and the challenging Class III+ “Troublemaker” come in quick succession, offering the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation on this 12-mile adventure. As the river enters the Coloma Lotus Valley, the pace slows down, providing swimming opportunities and calm waters for games and playful moments amidst the picturesque California Foothills.
On this section of the river:
- Everyone is given paddles and asked to participate.
- Everyone should be in good physical shape.
- No experience is necessary.
Learn about the river classifications and differences between Class I through Class VI at this link
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Guided Whitewater Rafting Tour
All of our tours are guided with a river guide in the back of the raft, guiding you and your group throughout the day. The guide will be showing you how to sit in the raft, hold the paddle and teach you proper paddling techniques. The guide will be giving paddling commands and interacting with paddle strokes while navigating the raft through the river and turbulent sections.
Our goal is to have professional and customer-oriented guides trained to give you a wonderful river experience.
If you guide did a wonderful job and you had a fun experience tipping gratuities are an acceptable form of showing appreciation to your guide at the end of the tour.
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13’, 14’, & 16’ self-bailing river rafts are used
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Arrival and check in, Transportation to river put in site, Gear ourselves up with rafting gear, Safety talk/ river instruction, Hop into rafts for day, Load back into vehicles, Drive back to meeting location. Say farewell.
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(AM) Morning Trip- Check the Confirmation email for a specific meeting time.
For our tours, we ask that our guests be available to check in between the above time frames. It is important to arrive on time, as our tours need to follow a strict time frame. The Bus will leave the office roughly 15 minutes after check-in times to keep the day’s schedule.
Before leaving home, double-check drive time and directions to ensure arrival on time. Road construction and slow traffic are common during the summer months and can affect road conditions.
Notify the office if you believe you are behind schedule for the trip.
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4531 Salmon Falls Rd, Pilot Hill CA, 95664
Our American River Rafting Office is located in Pilot Hill, California, just off of Hwy 49 between Auburn and Placerville, CA. At our American River Office, you’ll find safe secure parking, clean restrooms, changing rooms, and shaded picnic tables to relax.
Rough Drive Times to office location:
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7 years old
Due to the nature of whitewater rafting trips we ask that kids are age 7 years old or above. At this age, kids are good listeners and able to follow guide instructions.
Whitewater rafting like any outdoor adventure activity have inherent risks involved. Unintentional swimming can be common on any type of rafting experience. We ask that all participants be able to listen and understand instructions and directions given by river guides and staff. For this reason we have our minimum age for Class III rapids 7 years old.
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A link to our will be attached to the confirmation email, which links back to our website for a detailed pack list, as well as other pertinent information for your tour. Reference the for information on getting ready for your river rafting day with us.
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What to wear
Getting ready for a whitewater rafting trip is similar to getting ready for a day at the beach. Everything that goes on the river will get wet so dress in clothing that you’d be comfortable swimming in.
Quick List:
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- Shoes are required that will not come off, such as strap-on sandals, water shoes, booties, and old tennis shoes.
Flip-flops or slip-on shoes are discouraged and not allowed for rafting. If you go for an unintentional swim, you will lose your flip-flops immediately. If you end up on shore or in a random place, you need to have good footwear to get back to the rafts or to be able to walk along the shoreline.
For a more detailed packing list on items to consider wearing and packing for the trip: visit our which includes a detailed pack list.
Things to Leave at Home:
While on the river, everything gets wet and can fall out of pockets and be lost in the river. We ask everyone to leave cellphones, wallets, Car keys, and valuables home, at our office, or locked away.
Gear and Equipment we provide
On every one of our whitewater rafting adventures, we pass out the following equipment to each guest:
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During spring and cold weather trips, we also provide at no additional cost:
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This Beginner/ Intermediate whitewater river rafting trip is suitable for anyone looking for a fun day as action awaits on this historical trip through one of California’s most popular waterways! Beginning just outside of the town of Placerville, this run offers 12 miles of whitewater excitement. Travel through the golden foothills of the Western Sierra Nevada mountains as warm sun rays envelop your senses. Splashes of cool mountain water invigorate and awaken as you float through one of California’s most historical areas. In 1848, the South Fork of the American River changed the world when gold was first discovered in the stream bed. The California Gold Rush was born, creating the largest human migration for a single purpose since the Crusades. Today, folks are still attracted to the region, not for its gold but for its whitewater. This trip starts off with one of the biggest rapids, “Meat Grinder,” in an exciting introduction.
Fun-filled classes II’s and III’s continue throughout the day with something new around each bend, culminating in the technical “Trouble Maker” near the end of your trip. Here your guides will entertain you with stories as the boats float by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Join us on an extraordinary adventure for all on our South Fork American- Chili Bar run. With beautiful foothill scenery and fun splashy rapids, all in an area rich in history, this river is the perfect escape on a hot summer day.
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Every day when available!
The South Fork of the American River rafting trips are available EVERYDAY all summer long! We typically begin our season May 1st and run till mid September river flow depending.
All availability can be seen online. Please feel free to book online or call us anytime, 1-530-587-5777, to reserve your space.
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The water that forms the South Fork of the American River, providing the perfect conditions for rafting on the Chile Bar and Gorge sections, originates in the high alpine peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding South Lake Tahoe. During the winter, these mountains accumulate a substantial snowpack.
In the spring, the melting snow trickles down the mountainsides, gradually merging into small creeks and streams. These waterways converge to form the South Fork of the American River. As the river flows parallel to Highway 50, it absorbs additional water from tributaries like the Silver Fork and South Silver rivers.
Along its journey, the river’s flow is managed by several reservoirs designed for water storage and hydroelectric power. Notable reservoirs include Ice House Reservoir, Slab Creek Reservoir, and Chile Bar Reservoir. The water that feeds the Chile Bar and Gorge sections is released directly from the Chile Bar Reservoir. These releases occur daily, providing recreational flow for river rafters. On some days, the river may flow for only a few hours as the dam releases and then shuts off the water supply.
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Our River Guides
Our guides are the best in the business, focusing on safety and guest service as a top priority. All are extremely knowledgeable about the area’s geology, ecology and history and just love being on the river. Many with experience on rivers all over the country and across the globe, we’ll know you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do and each will certainly help to make your day on the river the best possible.
Our History on the South Fork American River
Our story on the Truckee River began in 1994 when Mike Miltner, owner of Tahoe Whitewater Tours, purchased the first permit to begin commercial rafting on the South Fork American River. Through the years, we have taken many down the river, honing our skills and business into what it is today. Join us on the river and allow us to show you a great day on the South Fork of the American River