South Fork American River: Chili Bar - Class III+ Half-Day

Type of trip: Adventurous Beginner/ Intermediate rafting

This section is Class II-III+ Meaning they are adventurous beginner/ Intermediate rapids, Family Friendly, perfect for first-time river rafters with some exciting moments in the Class III’s. We refer to this section as an adventurous beginner due to the big splashy waves and technical maneuvering in some of the bigger whitewater rapids.

The South Fork Chile Bar section of whitewater kicks off with a bang! Within the first mile, thrilling Class II and III rapids set the tone for an action-packed day. Rapids like the long and technical “Meatgrinder,” the exhilarating “Triple Threat,” and the challenging Class III+ “Troublemaker” come in quick succession, offering the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation on this 12-mile adventure. As the river enters the Coloma Lotus Valley, the pace slows down, providing swimming opportunities and calm waters for games and playful moments amidst the picturesque California Foothills.

No! Shoes are required that will not come off, such as strap-on sandals, water shoes, booties, and old tennis shoes.

Flip-flops or slip-on shoes are not allowed for rafting. If you go for an unintentional swim, you will lose your flip-flops immediately. If you end up on shore or in a random place, you need to have good footwear to get back to the rafts or to be able to walk along the shoreline.

If you guide did a wonderful job and you had a fun experience tipping is an acceptable form of showing appreciation to your guide at the end of the tour.

13’, 14’, & 16’ self-bailing river rafts are used

• On the South Fork of the American River, our rafts can take 6- 8 guests + a guide.
• The Gorge Run on the South Fork American River allows for many different raft sizes. We can fit groups of 4 in our 13’ers and groups of up to 8 in our 16’ rafts.

Personal items should be locked in your personal vehicle throughout the day. Wallets, Cell phones, and Car Keys can also be kept in our river office while out for your rafting adventure!

Restrooms are available at our meeting location as well available at the river put-in location.

The water that forms the South Fork of the American River, providing the perfect conditions for rafting on the Chile Bar and Gorge sections, originates in the high alpine peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding South Lake Tahoe. During the winter, these mountains accumulate a substantial snowpack.

In the spring, the melting snow trickles down the mountainsides, gradually merging into small creeks and streams. These waterways converge to form the South Fork of the American River. As the river flows parallel to Highway 50, it absorbs additional water from tributaries like the Silver Fork and South Silver rivers.

Along its journey, the river’s flow is managed by several reservoirs designed for water storage and hydroelectric power. Notable reservoirs include Ice House Reservoir, Slab Creek Reservoir, and Chile Bar Reservoir. The water that feeds the Chile Bar and Gorge sections is released directly from the Chile Bar Reservoir. These releases occur daily, providing recreational flow for river rafters. On some days, the river may flow for only a few hours as the dam releases and then shuts off the water supply.