California whitewater - American River - Middle Fork, Northern Sierra Nevada, Placer/El Dorado County

Placer/El Dorado county, Oxbow Bend to Drivers Flat Road section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS II-IV(V+)     17 miles
  The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in California are often tougher than in other states, so you'd better keep in mind that many runs in this state are not easy. The scenic beauty of Placer/El Dorado County and the cool fresh water make the trip here worthwhile. The Oxbow Bend to Drivers Flat Road stretch of American River - Middle Fork in Placer/El Dorado County is 17 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class II-IV(V+) section of whitewater. You can enjoy this stretch more if you take your time, so pack your camping stuff.
    Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. This is not the only paddling stretch in this river system, there are others too. A good workout and just hanging out with mother nature
will have you coming back for more. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Truckee-Grass Valley, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling rivers. The Northern Sierra Nevada scenery is wonderful. And of course, there are campgrounds nearby.

Briefly about the general area:
Since you're here at American River - Middle Fork why not check out Big Snyder Gulch, and Ruck-A-Chucky Rapids is a magnificent local attraction.
 
American River - Middle Fork gets lots of water; January is the wettest month with most rain, and July is when it's the driest.
And if that's not enough there's plenty more cool stuff to do in the Northern Sierra Nevada. Throughout the months of summer, highs mostly are in the 80's at American River - Middle Fork. Once the sun is down it descends down to the 50's. For the period of the wintertime highs are usually in the 40's while the cold winter nights at American River - Middle Fork are in the 20's.

American River - Middle Fork, Oxbow Bend to Drivers Flat Road road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: II-IV(V+)
Length: 17 miles
Average Gradient: 23 fpm
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 39.00416
Longitude: -120.74723

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 38.91666
Longitude: -121.04028

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Current weather conditions at American River - Middle Fork, Northern Sierra Nevada, California
WXPort

Local climate location: NEVADA CITY 13 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Quality Inn Auburn, Auburn
11 miles away
The Quality Inn is in the historical town of Auburn in the heart of the gold country. We are minutes away from the American River recreational area which includes water rafting, hiking, swimming, fish...

Best Western Golden Key, Auburn
11 miles away
Located in the heart of Gold Country, a 'treasure' awaits you at the Best Western Golden Key in Auburn. You can explore oak and pine forests as well as discover the history and excitement of the Gold ...

Super 8 Motel - Auburn, Auburn
12 miles away
Located in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Super Eight Auburn is in the Heart of the Mother Lode. Take Advantage of the American River Nearby, as well as many Lakes in the Region. Visit ...



OTHER_INFO
  Northern Sierra Nevada Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Northern Sierra Nevada.

Northern Sierra Nevada Outdoors Info
Complete outdoors info for the Northern Sierra Nevada.

All California Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in California.
Books about whitewater paddling on American River - Middle Fork, California
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on American River - Middle Fork, California.
Find a whitewater outfitter in California

Whitewater Basics
If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info.
Outdoors Recreation Near Truckee-Grass Valley, California
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Truckee-Grass Valley, California, the metro area neareast to American River - Middle Fork. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near American River - Middle Fork.
 Whitewater Near American River - Middle Fork:
American River - North Fork, Placer County , 4 miles away, Class II-III - 5 miles long (Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge to Ponderosa Way Bridge)
American River - Middle Fork, Placer / El Dorado County , 5 miles away, Class I(II) - 7.1 miles long (former Greenwood Bridge to Mammoth Bar)
American River - North Fork, Placer County , 6 miles away, Class IV-V - 4.8 miles long (Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge)
Bear River, Nevada / Placer County , 9 miles away, Class II-V - 11 miles long (Highway 174 Bridge to Lake Combie)
American River - South Fork, El Dorado County , 10 miles away, Class II-IV - 20.5 miles long (Route 193 to Folsom Lake)
American River - North Fork, Placer County , 11 miles away, Class IV-V - 14.5 miles long (Euchre Bar to Colfax-Iowa Hill Road)
American River - South Fork, El Dorado County , 11 miles away, Class III+ - 15 miles long (Lotus Campground to Folsom Lake)
American River - North Fork, Placer County , 11 miles away, Class II - 3 miles long (Confluence with Middle Fork to Folsom Lake)
American River - Middle Fork, Placer County , 12 miles away, Class IV-V - 2.1 miles long (Mosquito Ridge Road to confluence with Middle Fork)
American River - South Fork, El Dorado County , 15 miles away, Class IV-V - 7 miles long (Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse)
 Ski Areas Near American River - Middle Fork:
Soda Springs, California , 40 miles away, 625 vertical feet
Boreal, California , 43 miles away, 500 vertical feet
Sugar Bowl, California , 43 miles away, 1500 vertical feet
Donner Ski Ranch, California , 43 miles away, 750 vertical feet
Alpine Meadows, California , 47 miles away, 1802 vertical feet
Squaw Valley, California , 47 miles away, 2850 vertical feet
Tahoe Donner, California , 49 miles away, 600 vertical feet
Homewood, California , 51 miles away, 1650 vertical feet
Granlibakken, California , 52 miles away, 300 vertical feet
Northstar at Tahoe, California , 55 miles away, 2280 vertical feet
 Hotels Near American River - Middle Fork:
Quality Inn Auburn, Auburn , 11 miles away
Best Western Golden Key, Auburn , 11 miles away
Super 8 Motel - Auburn, Auburn , 12 miles away
Comfort Inn Central, Auburn , 12 miles away
Holiday Inn AUBURN, Auburn , 13 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near American River - Middle Fork:
Sky View Terrace Mobile Home, Foresthill, 2 miles away
Starlight Cafe, Foresthill, 5 miles away
Orchard Springs Resort, Colfax, 8 miles away
 Trails Near American River - Middle Fork:
Green Valley Trail, Placer County , 13 miles away, 2.8 hiking miles, 2371 feet elevation difference
Bake Oven Trail, Placer County , 14 miles away,  9 hiking miles, 2032 feet elevation difference
Nevada Point Trail, El Dorado County , 15 miles away, 5.3 hiking miles, 2771 feet elevation difference
Euchre Bar Trail, Placer County , 16 miles away, 3.3 hiking miles, 1947 feet elevation difference
American Eagle Trail, Placer County , 17 miles away,  1.8 hiking miles, 190 feet elevation difference
Italian Bar Trail, Placer County , 20 miles away,  4 hiking miles, 2437 feet elevation difference

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater