South Fork Half-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip from Lotus (Class 2-3+)
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
With all the wildflowers, trees, wildlife, and sunshine keeping your senses occupied, it’s easy to forget that you are getting ready to paddle into some of the best whitewater rafting in North America. The American River offers attendees so much, it might as well have been designed in a Hollywood studio.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Great for first timers and river lovers alike. The South Fork of the American is the most popular option for California river rafters. Ages 6 to 96 are welcome for this classic trip down the river.
What‘s Included
All necessary safety gear- pfd, helmet, paddle, as well as wetsuits and splash jackets during cooler months.
Bottled water
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Homemade brownies.
Lunch
Alcoholic Beverages
Options
Upper "Chili Bar" (Class 2-3+)
Lower "Gorge" Run (Class 2-3+)
Reviews
123 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bad Dad Jokes ❤️
RoseAnne M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00James is awesome and has amazing bad dad jokes complete with snacks and history lessons with a touch of biology
Adrenaline-Packed Rafting Experience!
Voyage42515546995,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had such an amazing time water rafting! 🌊🚣♂️ Everything was well-organized from start to finish, and the staff made us feel safe and confident even before we hit the water. The guides were not only professional but also fun and engaging, which made the whole experience even better. The rapids were the perfect mix of excitement and challenge—enough to get your adrenaline going without feeling overwhelming. Plus, they provided all the gears before starting, the scenery along the river was beautiful, making the entire trip both thrilling and relaxing at the same time. After the whole trip, snacks and drinks are provided too! Definitely one of the best outdoor experiences I’ve had for my post birthday treat. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for adventure, bonding time, and something unforgettable! Kudos to Tyler, Shelby and forgot the name of the long hair guy! 😅 They are awesome and knowledgeable!!
Wonderful Rafting experience with kids - Safe, fun and enjoyable
arunkmony,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a wonderful experience for us to do whitewater rafting with our family with kids. Our guide Marina was very knowledgeable and guided our boat in an excellent fashion so that we could have fun and at the same time not compromising on safety. The kids also took turns getting into the water and had an amazing time. Starting with level 1 and 2 rapids and slowly graduating into the level 3 to 3+ is the best way to experience the thrill. Marina also shared several stories about the river and prepared us for all kinds of adventures during the trip. I recommend doing the second half of the day (south) option if you have younger children.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT ADVENTURE!
jdavis4363,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went with my friend and we are both 75 years old. We were a bit nervous but we had a great time!!!! We never felt afraid but rather felt exhilarated. Our guide, Marina was FANTASTIC! VERY competent, friendly and funny. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. From the first call with Tyler and asking him a few questions given our age and my friend having a bad hip he told me the guide would accommodate our needs. Everyone connected with H2O Adventures were fantastic!!
Perfection!
shannonbN4917MU,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast on the 1/2 day tour last week. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny, and taught us so much about the land and its history. It's wonderful when you are around people working jobs they absolutely love. We almost stayed in the boat the whole time! Highly recommend!
First time! Fun and exciting. Going again!
Maps17359008084,Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our first time river rafting and we had a blast! Our guide James was hilarious and safely guided us down the river. Somehow no one in our raft went overboard. Highly recommend this company! We loved it so much we're going with some neighbors in mid September! Can't wait!
Jodi was an awesome River...
Randale H,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Jodi was an awesome River guide. The water was cool and the Rapids amazing. Our grandkids were 12 and 13 and it was perfect for them.
Natures treat with adventure
Bhawana J,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was so much fun, our guide was the best , made us feel so safe. Will definitely do it again. Thank you H2O adventures
Get out of the matrix
Jenny W,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rafting was a fun experience in beautiful surroundings. Our river guide, Keanu, was very knowledgeable. Following his directions kept us from falling out of the raft. Honestly, it is just a good time with people who like being outside.
The trip was great! Our...
Seth K,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip was great! Our guide James was super knowledgeable and friendly, we did a lot of little "experiences" to make the day fun that the bigger rafting crews were apparently not allowed to do. Such as cliff jumping, having a rider at the nose of the boat, and others. Really fun, especially for the kids on the trip!
From US$102.57
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Operated by H2O Adventures