South Fork American River > Travel Details

RIVER & TRIP OPTIONS VIRTUAL RIVER TOURS 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 Places 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 Places

The All-Outdoors River Center
Please confirm which location your trip will be meeting prior to departure.

All-Outdoors River Center
1026 Lotus Rd
Lotus, CA 95651

Meet Time:_______
All-Outdoors hosts a variety of trip options and meet times. Please confirm your meet time and place with your group trip leader or contact our office.

Driving Directions

Traveling east from the Bay Area and from Sacramento on Hwy 50:
Take the North Shingle Rd/Mother Lode Dr. Exit # 37 (also called Ponderosa Rd), just after Cameron Park. Turn left over the freeway and take the first right onto North Shingle Rd. Travel 4.5 miles to the Y and stay left onto Lotus Rd. Travel 6 miles until you get to the first stop sign at Bassi Rd.

To get to the All-Outdoors River Center, continue straight on Lotus Rd. after the stop sign at Bassi Rd. You will see our River Office on your left after a short block. Continue past the River Office 50 yards and turn left into the All-Outdoors River Center Entrance. Park in the parking area and sign in at the All-Outdoors Check-In-Area under the large oak tree.

Traveling west from South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50:
From Hwy 50 turn right (north) onto Hwy 49/Spring Street in Placerville (this is the second stoplight in Placerville). On Hwy 49, take the bend in the road to the left and follow the signs to Coloma for 7 miles. Once in Coloma, Hwy 49 passes through Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Continue straight through the park for a 1/2 mile to the stop sign at the intersection of Lotus Rd and Hwy 49.

To get to the All-Outdoors River Center, turn left at the stop sign onto Lotus Rd in Coloma just before the Hwy crosses over the South Fork of the American River. Travel ¾ of a mile past the small town of Lotus (3 old buildings on your right) and turn into the All-Outdoors River Center entrance on your right. If you go past our River Office or get to the stop sign at Bassi Rd, you have gone a block too far. 

Drive Times and Distances:

Driving Distances and Times to Meeting Place From: Placerville: 10 mi/ 20 min Coloma: 1 mi/ 5 min N Lake Tahoe: 100 mi/ 2 hrs S Lake Tahoe: 85 mi/ 1.5 hrs Los Angeles: 425 mi/ 7-8 hrs San Francisco: 130 mi/ 3 hrs San Jose: 155 mi/ 3 hrs Walnut Creek:115 mi/ 2.5 hrs Sacramento: 40 mi/ 50 min Auburn: 18 mi/ 30 min

General Information:

What's Included

Trips include the following:

• Professional Guide, instruction, and equipment (April through May, see Wetsuit Information for added rental cost.)
• Delicious fresh meals on 1-Day and 2-Day trips
• Snack on Express trips
• 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 (optional)
• 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 Trips:
On South Fork American "Car Access" overnight trips, we stay at campsites where your car is conveniently parked close to your site and bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets, and electricity make your stay easy and comfortable. Therefore, you can bring as many items as you feel necessary for camping. Your river attire should be packed separately so you can change into it at the Meet Place or put-in.

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

Please Do Not Bring:
Expensive watch, jewelry, radio, pets, or camera without water protection. Please note that storage of keys, 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 South Fork of the American River on our Updated River Conditions page.

Local Weather

Accommodations:

Campgrounds

Camp Lotus: Lotus, (530) 622-8672
Advance reservations are required.

Hotels and B&B's

Lotus Inn & Cafe Mahjaic: Lotus, (530) 622-9587
Located a short walk from the river, close to town and just next door to the All-Outdoors riverfront property, the Lotus Inn is conveniently located for an overnight stay before or after your rafting trip on the South Fork.  Open 7 days a week.

Cafe Mahjaic offers New American cuisine which is a mixture of all ethnic backgrounds. All foods, sauces, and breads are made from scratch. Organic produce when available. Open for dinner Tues-Sat 5 pm-closing.

Cabins at Camp Lotus: Lotus, (530) 622-8672
Located only a mile from the All-Outdoors River Center, Camp Lotus offers lodging in their American River Cabins and Yuba River Cabin.  These lovely cabins provide quiet, privacy, and a little bit of luxury in the Coloma Lotus Valley.  The Yuba River Cabin features a full kitchen, wood burning stove, and private yard. The smaller American River Cabins are perfect for couples and have access to the river.

Sierra Nevada House: Coloma, (530) 626-8096
This historic home offers guests six newly renovated rooms each with a private bath and access to the outdoor veranda with views of the river valley.  Guests can also enjoy the restaurant and bar downstairs for lunch or dinner. 

Coloma Country Inn Bed & Breakfast: Coloma, (530) 622-6919
Only a two minute drive from the All-Outdoors South Fork meeting spots, the Coloma Country Inn is at a convenient location to relax in luxury before or after your day on the river. Each of the six rooms is individually decorated, featuring turn-of-the-century antiques, handmade quilts, and fresh flowers.

Albert Shafsky House Bed & Breakfast: Placerville, (530) 642-2776
This 1902 Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast in Placerville's Historic District provides a wonderful taste of rich heritage, both inside and out. They offer three deluxe guest rooms, each with its own theme and private bath, a light welcome snack upon arrival, and a hearty breakfast each morning. The Shafsky House offers a 10% discount to anyone rafting with All-Outdoors.

The Historic Cary House Hotel: Placerville, (530) 622-4271
The Cary House offers 38 guest rooms and some suites which all feature private baths, TV, telephone, and heating and air conditioning. No two rooms are the same at the Cary House and it is the perfect venue for your stay in the gold country.

Best Western Placerville Inn: Placerville, (800) 854-9100
Cameron Park Inns & Suites: Cameron Park, (800) 601-1234

Surrounding Attractions:

Boeger Winery: Placerville, (530) 622-8094
Family-owned and operated since the 1970s and growing over 28 varietals, Boeger Winery is particularly known for its Barbera.  This award-winning winery's beautiful grounds are a popular spot for post-tasting picnics. Tours available by appointment.

Jack Russell Brewing Co.: Camino, (530) 644-4722
Visit a real English farm brewery for tours, tastings, and special events. Tours of the facility's modern brewing and bottling equipment are available upon request. Visitors are invited to linger and enjoy the pub-like environment of the tasting room and the serenity of the adjacent picnic area.

Madroña Vineyards: Camino, (530) 644-5948
El Dorado County's highest-elevation vineyard and winery producing premium hand-crafted wines. This family run and operated winery is nestled in a forest of pines and cedars. This is the perfect day-trip destination.