California Rivers

RIVER CLASS SEASON NEAREST TOWN REGION DESCRIPTION
AMERICAN, LOWER II Apr-Sept Sacramento Central CA Best for private float trips. Inner-tubes, raft rentals, easy kayaking.
AMERICAN, MIDDLE FORK III-IV May – Sept Auburn Central CA Wilderness trips, multi-day rafting and kayaking. Dam-regulated water release.
AMERICAN, NORTH FORK IV+ April – June Colfax Central CA Experienced rafting and kayaking recommended. Close to Tahoe.
AMERICAN, SOUTH FORK III April – Sept Coloma Central CA Great for families. Beginning / intermediate rafting & kayaking. Close to San Francisco.
CACHE CREEK II Feb – Aug Woodland Central, CA Good river for introductory rafting & kayaking and intermediate canoeing.
CALIFORNIA SALMON V April – July Eureka Northern, CA Highly skilled, expert rafting and kayaking required. Designated Wild and Scenic.
CHERRY CREEK V July-Sept Groveland Central, CA Near Yosemite National Park. Highly skilled, expert rafting and kayaking required.
KAWEAH IV April – June Three Rivers Southern, CA Experienced rafting and kayaking recommended. Spring run, not dam regulated.
KERN, FORKS IV-V April – June Kernville Southern, CA Expert multi-day wilderness run. Some of the best white water in California.
KERN, LOWER III-IV April – September Kernville Southern, CA Closest rafting option to Los Angeles and Southern California.
KERN, UPPER II-V April – July Kernville Southern, CA Beginner to expert rafting and kayaking with several run options.
KINGS IV+ April – July Centerville Southern, CA In Kings Canyon. Experienced rafting and kayaking recommended.
KLAMATH, LOWER II-III April – Oct Yreka Northern, CA Designated Wild and Scenic. Experienced rafting and kayaking recommended.
MERCED III-IV April – June Mariposa Central, CA Intermediate rafting & kayaking just outside Yosemite National Park.
RUSSIAN II Dec – May Ukiah Central, CA Raft rentals, canoes and easy kayaking. Close to Napa and central coast. Year round float trips possible.
SMITH IV+ Nov – May Cresent City Northern, CA Advanced rafting & kayaking in a remote, Wild and Scenic, California rain forest.
STANISLAUS, NORTH FORK IV+ April – June Arnold Central, CA Advanced rafting & kayaking in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
TRINITY II-V Apr – Sept Weaverville Northern, CA Beginner to advanced rafting and kayaking in the Trinity Alps
TUOLUMNE IV+ Apr – Sept Groveland Central, CA Wilderness trips, multi-day rafting & kayaking outside Yosemite National Park.
YUBA, NORTH FORK IV+ Apr – June Downieville Central, CA Runs through Tahoe National Forest. Experienced rafting and kayaking recommended.