Tips for a Great Lower American River Trip

We want you to have a great day on the water, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when planning your trip:

Daily Itinerary

On a typical day, rafting the Lower American River, you are on the water for approximately 3-4 hours. We are open on the weekends for the remainder of the rafting season. We open at 9:00 am and stop renting rafts at 12 pm. We recommend that you arrive soon thereafter. Arriving early allows time for renting your equipment, organizing your belongings, and getting your group together. In the end, starting early assures that you will have plenty of time to enjoy the day on the river and not miss the shuttle.

Who can go Rafting?

Participants must be aged 5 years or older and know how to swim. No pets allowed.

What To Bring

It is also nice to come prepared. Here is a list of things to bring that will make your day on the water even more enjoyable.

  • drinking WATER
  • suntan lotion
  • sunglasses
  • hat
  • water shoes or Teva’s
  • bathing suit, shorts
  • food and beverages
  • cooler

Items to leave at home or in the car:

The rule of thumb on the American River is this… “Don’t bring anything you can’t afford to lose.” It’s best to keep valuables and such in the car or better yet… leave them at home.

  • Car keys ( it is no fun to lose them in the river )
  • Beach towel ( it will not stay dry on the raft )
  • Glass containers ( glass is easily broken, bad for bare feet, and illegal on the river )