Washington whitewater, American River Yakima county, American Forks to Sawmill Flat section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II+     5 miles   The beautiful scenery of Yakima County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream are reasons enough to come here and paddle. The American Forks to Sawmill Flat section of American River in Washington is 5 miles long and is a class II+ section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Ellensburg, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you     won’t get lost. The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state are often tougher than in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that rivers here are less forgiving. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you'll find a large number of good rivers. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. Getting a good workout and spending some quality time in nature will have you coming back for more. On this section you do get some distance, good for a one day paddling trip. The river winds through   the Northern Cascade Range and you get great scenery. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the American Forks to Sawmill Flat section is just one of them. There's camping available near American River. Briefly about the general area: Iron Horse State Park is a delightful place any time of year, and a spree to American River wouldn't be complete without taking a look at Horsetail Falls. Whohoo, so many exciting things in one place! The Northern Cascade Range is unbeatable! Places like Lake Easton State Park are good to check out, and a short spree to Willow Springs is always worthwhile. American River, American Forks to Sawmill Flat 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.   Whitewater Near American River: American River, Yakima County, 2 miles away       Class II+ - 5 miles long (American Forks to Sawmill Flat) Naches River, Yakima County, 2 miles away       Class II-III - 34 miles long (Sawmill Flat to bl. Town of Naches) Little Naches River, Yakima/Kittitas County, 7 miles away       Class II-III+(IV) - 9.5 miles long (Matthew Creek to Little Naches Campground) Rattlesnake Creek - Naches Tributary, Yakima County, 9 miles away       Class III - 7.7 miles long (North Fork to Nile Road Bridge) American River, Yakima County, 9 miles away       Class III-IV - 4.7 miles long (Hell's Crossing to American Forks) Bumping River, Yakima County, 12 miles away       Class II - 10.5 miles long (Bumping Reservoir to American River) Cle Elum River, Kittitas County, 13 miles away       Class II - 7.8 miles long (Cle Elum Dam to confluence with Yakima River) Tieton River, Yakima County, 15 miles away       Class III+ - 11.5 miles long (Rimrock Reservoir to Windy Point Campground) American River, -blank- County, 18 miles away       Class II-III+ - 7.5 miles long (Lodgepole Campground to Hell's Crossing) Tieton River - South Fork, Yakima County, 19 miles away       Class IV(V+) - 5.7 miles long (Grey Creek Campground to Rimrock Lake)   Ski Areas Near American River: Crystal Mountain, Washington , 24 miles away, 3100 foot drop, 11 lifts, 50 runs White Pass, Washington , 24 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 6 lifts, 32 runs Summit at Snoqualmie, Washington , 28 miles away, 2280 foot drop, 26 lifts, 96 runs Alpental, Washington , 30 miles away, 2280 foot drop, 5 lifts, 19 runs Stevens Pass, Washington , 36 miles away, 1800 foot drop, 10 lifts, 37 runs Mission Ridge, Washington , 53 miles away, 2250 foot drop, 6 lifts, 36 runs Cooper Spur, Oregon , 81 miles away, 500 foot drop, 2 lifts, 10 runs Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon , 86 miles away, 2777 foot drop, 12 lifts, 87 runs Echo Valley, Washington , 87 miles away, 900 foot drop, 4 lifts, 8 runs Timberline Lodge, Oregon , 87 miles away, 3590 foot drop, 6 lifts, 32 runs   Hotels Near American River: Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum , 14 miles away Best Western Snowcap Lodge, Cle Elum , 16 miles away Timber Lodge Inn, Cle Elum , 17 miles away Econo Lodge Near Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum , 18 miles away Hampton Inn Ellensburg, Ellensburg , 38 miles away   Campgrounds Near American River: Indian Flat Campground, Yakima County, 1 miles away Kaner Flat Campground, Kittitas County, 2 miles away American Forks, Goose Prairie, 2 miles away   Trails Near American River: Quartz Creek Trail, Kittitas , 4 miles away, 6.6 hiking miles, 3413 feet elevation difference Kaner Flat Trail, Kittitas , 5 miles away, 7.3 hiking miles, 4400 feet elevation difference Manastash Ridge Trail, Kittitas , 5 miles away, 4.2 hiking miles, 798 feet elevation difference Mount Cliffty Trail, Kittitas , 6 miles away,  9.8 hiking miles, 3795 feet elevation difference Fifes Ridge Trail, Yakima , 6 miles away, 13 hiking miles, 4581 feet elevation difference North Fork Taneum Trail, Kittitas , 8 miles away,  18 hiking miles, 2630 feet elevation difference Little Creek Basin Trail, Kittitas , 8 miles away,  8.2 hiking miles, 1369 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near American River: Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford - WA , 60 miles away Iron Horse State Park, Washington , 14 miles away Lake Easton State Park, Washington , 14 miles away Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington , 26 miles away   Golf Courses Near American River: Prospector Golf At Suncadia, Cle Elum , 14 miles away Suncadia Prospector Golf, Cle Elum , 15 miles away   Lakes Near American River Flat Iron Lake, Yakima , 6 miles away Lost Lake, Kittitas , 12 miles away Rimrock Lake, Yakima , 15 miles away