California whitewater, American River - North Fork Placer county, Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V     4.8 miles   Giant Gap is more IV-V than V.  It's great IV+ under 1100 or so. Says Brendan Not a class V stretch. moderate class IV from 800 to 1800 CFS, above that difficulty starts to climb above IV-. good way to step up to IV if you have a good roll. super classic rapids and scenery, giant gap above is even better but MUCH harder (V). Says SW If you're coming from Truckee-Grass Valley it's not a long drive at all to the put-in location,     if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. The average whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master in this state than those in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that a large number of rivers in this state are not easy. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a large number of paddling rivers. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. A bit of exercise and just being out on the river for a while are great reasons   to come. This stretch is mid length, it's perfect for a one day trip. The Northern Sierra Nevada scenery is wonderful. This section of American River - North Fork in California is 4.8 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class IV-V section. The Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge stretch is one of many paddling stretches in this river system. The beautiful scenery of California and the playfulness of the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. Briefly about the general area: Auburn State Park is worth checking out if you're at American River - North Fork, and there are plenty of folks from Colfax here at American River - North Fork. American River - North Fork, Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near American River - North Fork.   Whitewater Near American River - North Fork: American River - North Fork, Placer County, 2 miles away       Class IV-V - 4.8 miles long (Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge) American River - North Fork, Placer County, 2 miles away       Class II-III - 5 miles long (Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge to Ponderosa Way Bridge) Bear River, Nevada / Placer County, 4 miles away       Class II-V - 11 miles long (Highway 174 Bridge to Lake Combie) American River - Middle Fork, Placer / El Dorado County, 6 miles away       Class I(II) - 7.1 miles long (former Greenwood Bridge to Mammoth Bar) American River - North Fork, Placer County, 12 miles away       Class II - 3 miles long (Confluence with Middle Fork to Folsom Lake) American River - Middle Fork, Placer/El Dorado County, 12 miles away       Class II-IV(V+) - 17 miles long (Oxbow Bend to Drivers Flat Road) American River - North Fork, Placer County, 13 miles away       Class IV-V - 14.5 miles long (Euchre Bar to Colfax-Iowa Hill Road) Whitewater Outfitter - Sierra Outdoor Center, Placer County, 14 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Canyon Raft Rentals, Placer County, 14 miles away       Whitewater outfitter American River - Middle Fork, Placer County, 14 miles away       Class IV-V - 2.1 miles long (Mosquito Ridge Road to confluence with Middle Fork)   Ski Areas Near American River - North Fork: Soda Springs, California , 39 miles away, 625 foot drop, 5 lifts, 16 runs Boreal, California , 42 miles away, 500 foot drop, 10 lifts, 41 runs Sugar Bowl, California , 42 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 13 lifts, 85 runs Donner Ski Ranch, California , 43 miles away, 750 foot drop, 7 lifts, 52 runs Alpine Meadows, California , 47 miles away, 1802 foot drop, 14 lifts, 100 runs Squaw Valley, California , 47 miles away, 2850 foot drop, 33 lifts, 177 runs Tahoe Donner, California , 48 miles away, 600 foot drop, 4 lifts, 14 runs Homewood, California , 52 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 8 lifts, 56 runs Granlibakken, California , 53 miles away, 300 foot drop, 2 lifts, 1 runs Northstar at Tahoe, California , 56 miles away, 2280 foot drop, 17 lifts, 70 runs   Hotels Near American River - North Fork: Sierra Sun Cloud Inn, Colfax , 3 miles away Best Western Gold Country Inn, Grass Valley , 12 miles away Nevada City Inn, Nevada City , 12 miles away Quality Inn Auburn - Foresthill, Auburn , 12 miles away Best Western Golden Key, Auburn , 12 miles away   Campgrounds Near American River - North Fork: Auburn State Recreation Area - Mineral Bar/Iowa Hill Bridge, Colfax, 2 miles away Orchard Springs Resort, Colfax, 3 miles away Auburn State Recreation Area - Upper Clementine Access, Weimar, 3 miles away   Trails Near American River - North Fork: Green Valley Trail, Placer , 10 miles away, 2.8 hiking miles, 2371 feet elevation difference Euchre Bar Trail, Placer , 13 miles away, 3.3 hiking miles, 1947 feet elevation difference American Eagle Trail, Placer , 15 miles away,  1.8 hiking miles, 190 feet elevation difference South Yuba Trail, Nevada , 15 miles away, 2.3 hiking miles, 929 feet elevation difference Humbug Trail, Nevada , 15 miles away,  4 hiking miles, 1041 feet elevation difference Bake Oven Trail, Placer , 16 miles away,  9 hiking miles, 2032 feet elevation difference Nevada Point Trail, El Dorado , 17 miles away, 5.3 hiking miles, 2771 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near American River - North Fork: Empire Mine State Park, California , 11 miles away Auburn State Park, California , 13 miles away Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, California , 14 miles away   Golf Courses Near American River - North Fork: Darkhorse Golf Club, Auburn , 10 miles away Winchester County Club, Meadow Vista , 10 miles away Lake Of The Pines, Auburn , 10 miles away   Lakes Near American River - North Fork Lake Theodore, Placer , 8 miles away Halsey Forebay, Placer , 10 miles away Lake Combie, Placer , 10 miles away