North Fork Stanislaus

THE RAPIDS:
Steep and narrow Class IV+ to challenge your skills

The North Stanislaus' steep gradient (70' per mile) creates many stair-stepping drops and tumultuous twists and turns. You'll become an expert paddler, maneuvering through the river's speeding currents and tight chutes. And because All-Outdoors is one of the few outfitters permitted by the USFS to offer trips on the North Stanislaus, you will most likely have the river to yourself.

THE RIVER SCENERY:
Immense and peaceful pine forests; crystal-clear water

The North Stanislaus canyon is part of what makes this trip one of our most unique. It begins at a high elevation--over 4000-feet in Stanislaus National Forest amidst towering pine and fir trees. The waterway itself is narrow and small, instilling the feel of an intimate mountain stream. Dogwood and wild azalea pepper the riverbanks. Halfway down this intense run we enter Calaveras Big Trees State Park which is home to the largest living trees on earth, the Giant Sequoia Redwoods.

LOCATION:
Flows through Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Just two and a half hours from Sacramento and three and a half hours from San Francisco, the North Stanislaus is close to many metropolitan areas. The small town of Angels Camp is a short half-hour drive. Nearby highways include 108, 4, 49, and 395.

TYPICAL RAFTING SEASON:
April - May*

The North Stanislaus is an early springtime river. Even though there is one dam above this run, the river depends on snowmelt below the dam for its flows. The North Stanislaus begins to run when the snow below 6,000' begins to melt after winter. Flows are usually best from early or mid-April to mid-May. Even though its season is limited to just four to six weeks, avid rafters should make every effort to experience this unique run at least once.

* Season length and flows may vary. For this year's flow predictions and real-time water levels go to the River Flows page.

MEALS:
Freshly prepared riverside feasts

We provide a gourmet "build-your-own" sandwich lunch that includes all the fixings you’ll need to assemble the perfect sandwich along with kettle style potato chips, dried fruit, and chocolate. Enjoy your relaxing, riverside meal before heading back out on the water for more adventure.

If you have special dietary requirements, we encourage you to tell us at the time of your reservation so we can discuss options.

GUEST INVOLVEMENT:
How You Participate in Rafting the River

All-Outdoors runs paddle raft trips on the North Stanislaus. In a paddle raft, each guest and a professional guide have a paddle and navigate the river working as a coordinated team. North Stanislaus trips are intense and highly participatory so guests need to be ready and willing to paddle. In times of extreme high water, we may elect to use oar-paddle combination rafts (a professional guide steers the boat with oars while simultaneously calling commands to paddlers in the boat). All guests should be able to swim.