California whitewater, American River - South Fork El Dorado county, Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V     7 miles   Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in California tend to be more challenging than the national average, so if you're not from around here don't forget that quite a few of the sections here are not easy. This stretch of American River - South Fork in El Dorado County is 7 miles long and is a class IV-V section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. 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. Getting a good workout and just being out on the river for a while are sure to keep you coming back for more. When you're paddling down a Northern Sierra Nevada river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. The wonderful California scenery and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water beats anything. No shortage of good hotels, and if you make reservations   in advance you're all set. This is a pretty decent length section, good for a one day paddling trip. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse section is just one of them. Briefly about the general area: A spree to Marshall Gold Discovery State Park revitalizes the soul, and lots of people from Camino come here. Just can't get enough of the Northern Sierra Nevada. There is a delightful hiking trail near American River - South Fork called the Pigeon Roost Trail; South Canyon is another good place to take a look at nearby. American River - South Fork, Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse 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 - South Fork.   Whitewater Near American River - South Fork: American River - South Fork, El Dorado County, 3 miles away       Class IV-V - 7 miles long (Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse) American River - South Fork, El Dorado County, 6 miles away       Class II-IV - 20.5 miles long (Route 193 to Folsom Lake) Cosumnes River - Middle Fork, El Dorado County, 9 miles away       Class IV-V+ - 11 miles long (Outingdale to Highway 49) Whitewater Outfitter - Whitewater Voyages, El Dorado County, 11 miles away       Whitewater outfitter 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) 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 - Middle Fork, Placer County, 13 miles away       Class IV-V - 2.1 miles long (Mosquito Ridge Road to confluence with Middle Fork) Camp Creek, El Dorado County, 14 miles away       Class IV+ - 10.1 miles long (Fleming Meadows trailhead to Happy Valley Road) Cosumnes River, El Dorado / Amador / Sacramento County, 14 miles away       Class II-V - 20 miles long (Highway 49 to Highway 16)   Ski Areas Near American River - South Fork: Soda Springs, California , 38 miles away, 625 foot drop, 5 lifts, 16 runs Sugar Bowl, California , 40 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 13 lifts, 85 runs Boreal, California , 40 miles away, 500 foot drop, 10 lifts, 41 runs Alpine Meadows, California , 40 miles away, 1802 foot drop, 14 lifts, 100 runs Donner Ski Ranch, California , 40 miles away, 750 foot drop, 7 lifts, 52 runs Squaw Valley, California , 41 miles away, 2850 foot drop, 33 lifts, 177 runs Homewood, California , 43 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 8 lifts, 56 runs Granlibakken, California , 45 miles away, 300 foot drop, 2 lifts, 1 runs Tahoe Donner, California , 45 miles away, 600 foot drop, 4 lifts, 14 runs Sierra at Tahoe, California , 45 miles away, 2212 foot drop, 12 lifts, 46 runs   Hotels Near American River - South Fork: Gold Country Inn, Placerville , 4 miles away Historic Cary House Hotel, Placerville , 5 miles away Best Western Plus Placerville Inn, Placerville , 8 miles away Best Western Stagecoach Inn, Pollock Pines , 10 miles away Bella Vista Bed And Breakfast, Placerville , 11 miles away   Campgrounds Near American River - South Fork: Finnon Lake, Placerville, 1 miles away Gerle Creek - Eldorado National Forest, Placerville, 5 miles away Pipi Campground - Eldorado National Forest, Placerville, 5 miles away   Trails Near American River - South Fork: Nevada Point Trail, El Dorado , 11 miles away, 5.3 hiking miles, 2771 feet elevation difference Pigeon Roost Trail, Placer , 14 miles away, 1.4 hiking miles, 763 feet elevation difference Bake Oven Trail, Placer , 14 miles away,  9 hiking miles, 2032 feet elevation difference Grizzly Canyon Trail, Placer , 15 miles away, 2 hiking miles, 381 feet elevation difference Belix Trail, Placer , 17 miles away, 6.9 hiking miles, 1141 feet elevation difference Slide Point Trail, Placer , 19 miles away, 1.2 hiking miles, 1512 feet elevation difference Ellicott Trail, El Dorado , 20 miles away, 1.3 hiking miles, 1591 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near American River - South Fork: Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, California , 11 miles away Indian Grinding Rock State Park, California , 20 miles away Auburn State Park, California , 22 miles away   Golf Courses Near American River - South Fork: Camino Heights Golf Course, Camino , 3 miles away Apple Mountain Golf Resort, Camino , 3 miles away Cold Springs Golf & Country, Placerville , 10 miles away   Lakes Near American River - South Fork Slab Creek Reservoir, El Dorado , 3 miles away Chiquita Lake, El Dorado , 9 miles away Stumpy Meadows Lake, El Dorado , 11 miles away