California whitewater, American River - North Fork Placer county, Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge to Ponderosa Way Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-III     5 miles   The starting location is a short drive from Truckee-Grass Valley, as you can see on the road map further down. This section of American River - North Fork in Placer County is 5 miles long and has been rated as a class II-III section by American Whitewater. The scenic beauty of California and the water flowing gracefully down American River - North Fork beats anything. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside this state you might     find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so if you're not from around here don't forget that lots of rivers here are not for beginners. There aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, there are lots of good rivers for that around here. There are plenty of other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. Getting some good exercise and just hanging out with mother nature will   have you coming back for more. This is a pretty decent length section, good for a one day paddling trip. Whitewater paddling here in the Northern Sierra Nevada is a great experience. Briefly about the general area: You need to pop by Big Bend while you're here at American River - North Fork; a trip to Marshall Gold Discovery State Park is a great idea. So much amusing stuff to do here in the Northern Sierra Nevada, too great to be true. Go for a hike on the Green Valley Trail, and during your spree here you'll meet some people from Weimar for sure. Lots of fun awaits you along this river. American River - North Fork, Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge to Ponderosa Way 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 II-III - 5 miles long (Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge to Ponderosa Way Bridge) American River - Middle Fork, Placer / El Dorado County, 3 miles away       Class I(II) - 7.1 miles long (former Greenwood Bridge to Mammoth Bar) American River - North Fork, Placer County, 5 miles away       Class IV-V - 4.8 miles long (Colfax-Iowa Hill Road to Colfax-Foresthill Road Bridge) Bear River, Nevada / Placer County, 7 miles away       Class II-V - 11 miles long (Highway 174 Bridge to Lake Combie) American River - North Fork, Placer County, 10 miles away       Class II - 3 miles long (Confluence with Middle Fork to Folsom Lake) Whitewater Outfitter - Wilderness Adventures, El Dorado County, 11 miles away       Whitewater outfitter American River - South Fork, El Dorado County, 12 miles away       Class III+ - 15 miles long (Lotus Campground to Folsom Lake) Whitewater Outfitter - Sierra Outdoor Center, Placer County, 12 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Canyon Raft Rentals, Placer County, 12 miles away       Whitewater outfitter American River - Middle Fork, Placer/El Dorado County, 12 miles away       Class II-IV(V+) - 17 miles long (Oxbow Bend to Drivers Flat Road)   Ski Areas Near American River - North Fork: Soda Springs, California , 41 miles away, 625 foot drop, 5 lifts, 16 runs Boreal, California , 43 miles away, 500 foot drop, 10 lifts, 41 runs Sugar Bowl, California , 43 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 13 lifts, 85 runs Donner Ski Ranch, California , 44 miles away, 750 foot drop, 7 lifts, 52 runs Alpine Meadows, California , 48 miles away, 1802 foot drop, 14 lifts, 100 runs Squaw Valley, California , 48 miles away, 2850 foot drop, 33 lifts, 177 runs Tahoe Donner, California , 49 miles away, 600 foot drop, 4 lifts, 14 runs Homewood, California , 53 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 , 5 miles away Quality Inn Auburn - Foresthill, Auburn , 11 miles away Best Western Golden Key, Auburn , 11 miles away Super 8 Auburn, Auburn , 11 miles away Red Lion Inn & Suites Auburn, Auburn , 11 miles away   Campgrounds Near American River - North Fork: Auburn State Recreation Area - Upper Clementine Access, Weimar, 0 miles away Auburn State Recreation Area - Ruck A Chucky, Greenwood, 3 miles away Auburn State Recreation Area - Cherokee Bar, Cool, 3 miles away   Trails Near American River - North Fork: Green Valley Trail, Placer , 12 miles away, 2.8 hiking miles, 2371 feet elevation difference Euchre Bar Trail, Placer , 15 miles away, 3.3 hiking miles, 1947 feet elevation difference Bake Oven Trail, Placer , 16 miles away,  9 hiking miles, 2032 feet elevation difference American Eagle Trail, Placer , 16 miles away,  1.8 hiking miles, 190 feet elevation difference Nevada Point Trail, El Dorado , 17 miles away, 5.3 hiking miles, 2771 feet elevation difference South Yuba Trail, Nevada , 18 miles away, 2.3 hiking miles, 929 feet elevation difference Humbug Trail, Nevada , 18 miles away,  4 hiking miles, 1041 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near American River - North Fork: Auburn State Park, California , 11 miles away Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, California , 12 miles away Empire Mine State Park, California , 13 miles away   Golf Courses Near American River - North Fork: Winchester County Club, Meadow Vista , 9 miles away Darkhorse Golf Club, Auburn , 9 miles away Raspberry Hill Public Golf, Auburn , 9 miles away   Lakes Near American River - North Fork Lake Theodore, Placer , 7 miles away Halsey Forebay, Placer , 8 miles away Lake Combie, Placer , 9 miles away