Middle Fork American River > Travel Details

RIVER & TRIP OPTIONS RAFTING VIDEO MAPS & TRAVEL DETAILS PRICING

Directions, What to bring & Where to stay: Use the following links (or scroll down the page) for the information you are looking for! Maps & Directions Meet Place Driving Directions Drive Times & Distances General Information What's Included What to Bring River Conditions Local Weather Accommodations Campgrounds Hotels and B&B's

Maps & Directions:

Meet Place

Carpenter’s Place
5845 Sunset Drive
Foresthill, CA 95631

Meet Time: 8:00 am for most 1-Day Trips / 9:00 am for most 2-Day and 3-Day Trips
These times may change. Please confirm your meet time with your group trip leader or contact our office.

Driving Directions

Exit I-80 at the Auburn Ravine / Foresthill exit in Auburn. Travel east on Foresthill Rd. 17 miles to the outskirts of Foresthill.

You will pass Worton's Grocery Store on your right. About a ½ mile beyond Worton's, you will turn left off Foresthill Road onto Sunset Drive just before a large building with a mural on the wall. If you get to the center of town you have gone about ¼ mile too far.

Once on Sunset Drive, there are two driveways immediately on your left. Turn left into the second driveway with a large rock at the entrance with the words "Carpenter's Place". As you turn into the driveway you will see a large building ahead of you which is our trip meeting area. Turn right just before the building and drive around to the back parking lot of the center where you will meet your guide and park in the All-Outdoors parking area.

We look forward to spending time with you on the beautiful and challenging Middle Fork of the American River!

Drive Times and Distances:

Driving Distances and Times to Meeting Place From: Placerville: 48 mi / 1 hr Coloma: 38 mi / 50 min N Lake Tahoe: 90 mi / 2 hrs S Lake Tahoe: 125 mi / 2.5 hrs Los Angeles: 435 mi / 7-8 hrs San Francisco: 140 mi / 3 hrs San Jose: 185 mi / 3.5 hrs Walnut Creek: 117 mi / 2.5 hrs Sacramento: 50 mi / 1 hr Auburn: 17 mi / 30 min

General Information:

What's Included

• Professional Guide, instruction, and equipment (April through May, see Wetsuit Information for added rental cost.)
• Delicious fresh meals
• River shuttle by bus to and from the Meet Place for your trip
  

What to Bring

• Personal Medicine
• Change of clothing for ride home
• Waterproof sunblock, sunglasses with strap, hat, visor (optional)

What to Wear

• Swimsuit
• Quick drying shorts to wear over swimsuit is recommended for more comfort
• Athletic shoes that are lace-up, no slip-ons or thongs
• Long-sleeve shirt and pants for added sun protection and/or extra layering
• Wool or fleece sweater/jacket, waterproof jacket or wetsuit (required in early Spring, late Fall, and in inclement weather)

While on the river, you need little other than your river attire. There is limited space available in a water-resistant bag for additional items, such as raingear or medication, that you might need during the day (no towels, please). This bag is usually available only during the lunch stop and at camp.

NOTE: For your comfort and safety, special clothing items, including a wetsuit, are generally required April through mid-May or during periods of inclement weather. If your trip takes place during a time period when wetsuits are required, see "Wetsuit Information".

Additional Items for Overnight Wilderness Trips:
Remember to pack light since everything is carried by raft into this wilderness canyon and space is limited. Please have your camp gear ready to be packed in a water-resistant bag. Just the minimal toiletry items are needed since the camps do not have running water or electricity. Upon arrival at camp, the guides will set up the camp kitchen; plates and eating utensils are provided.

Camp clothes: one pair of pants, shirt, dry shorts, jacket, dry shoes and socks, sturdy sandals
Camping gear: sleeping bag, pad, ground cloth, tent (optional), toiletry items, insect repellent, flashlight Optional items for downtime at camp: journal, book, deck of cards, collapsible fishing gear in container

Please Do Not Bring:
Expensive watch, jewelry, radio, pets, camera without water protection. Space is limited on the boat . Please note that storage of wallets, and other valuables is the participant's responsibility.

River Conditions (Real Time)

Real-time, up to the hour flow information is available for the Middle Fork of the American River on our Updated River Conditions page.

Local Weather

Accommodations:

Campgrounds

Sugar Pine Reservoir Area in Tahoe National Forest (877)444-6777

Explore the forest and camp before and/or after your whitewater adventure.  We recommend the following two campsites because they are located closest to the AO meet place in Foresthill; about a 35 minute drive:

Giant Gap
Shirttail Creek

Hotels and B&B's

Holiday Inn: Auburn, (800) 814-8787
Best Western Golden Key: Auburn, (800) 201-0121