South Fork American River

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.


There is NO DISPERSED CAMPING ON PUBLIC LANDS along the South Fork American River.

Overview

The South Fork of the American River is considered to be one of the finest recreational resources in California. The river's rapids are relatively gentle, and the countryside is rich in history. Opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities include whitewater rafting & kayaking, picnicking, trail hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, hunting, fishing, gold panning, wildlife viewing and other passive recreation. All of them unique ways to experience the habitat and beauty of the South Fork of the American River.

Please read about Hiking on Public Lands

Recreation Sites:

Need a Map?

Special Recreation Permits

The South Fork American is one of the most popular (and most populated) whitewater river runs for rafting and kayaking in the state. The river offers short shuttles between access points, several trip options, high spring flows, and dependable boating flows during the summer months when other rivers have dropped too low. These twenty-one (21) mile river run can be made in a full day or a more relaxing two-day trip for both beginning and intermediate boaters.

Put-In: Chili Bar, Henningsen-Lotus Park, Highway 49 Bridge West, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park, Camp Lotus, Greenwood Creek.

Take-Out: Henningsen-Lotus Park, Greenwood Creek, Salmon Falls Bridge.

Please note: If you are not an experienced rafter, we suggest you make your trip with one of the BLM-permitted commercial companies who operate on the river. All permitted operators must meet strict standards for safety and quality of service.

History

The South Fork American also has a special significance because of the river's role in the Great California Gold Rush of 1849. In the town of Coloma and along the river is the site of James Marshall's discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848.

Be sure to visit and enjoy the: Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

And for more information, please also check out the: Gold Discovery Park Association.

 

Photos

South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM
South Fork American River
South Fork American River
Photo by BLM

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Activities

Iconograph of a bicyclist
BIKING
Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a picnic table
DAY USE AREA
Iconograph of a person using a gold pan in water
GOLD PANNING
Iconograph of a person on horseback
HORSEBACK RIDING
Iconograph of a spoked wheel and an arrowhead.
HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
Iconograph of a person in an inflatable raft
WHITEWATER RAFTING
Iconograph of a person paddling a kayak.
KAYAKING

Geographic Coordinates

38.82082, -120.958259

Directions

The South Fork American River can be accessed at many points from Highway 49. Please see our South Fork American River General Map.