10 of the Best Whitewater Rapids on the American River. A California River Guide's Perspective

What makes a great whitewater rapid? Is it the big splashes, multiple maneuvers, or big drops?

Or is it all about that Instagram worthy photo opportunity. After all, photos or it didn’t happen is the name of the game these days. Thankfully on the American River, commercial whitewater rafters have an abundance of rapids that offer that opportunity to showcase the fear, the joy, the excitement of that raw emotion that is bestowed upon ones face and captured forever in time in a singular photo.

Below is a list of the top 10 rapids that a guest can experience during a whitewater rafting trip on the American River.

10. Good Morning (Middle Fork of the American River, MFA)
It’s in the name. The Middle Fork of the American River’s first rapid has many names: cold cup of coffee, wake up, good morning, and ice bucket challenge. You get the hint, it’s a cold water shock to the nervous system to get the rafting adventure started off right.

9. Chili Bar Hole (South Fork of the American River, SFA)
Nothing says welcome to rafting, like starting your day off being surfed in your boat. Some call it a jacuzzi, a bubble bath, a froth of wetness. None the less, when it is 9:00 in the morning and you are already soaked up to your waterproof phone case, you know that you are in for a great day of rafting. Sierra Nevada Photography captures these whitewater rafting memories for you to enjoy and remember forever!

8. Satan’s Cesspool (SFA)
California classic whitewater rapid. One of the most iconic rapids on the South Fork of the American River. This class 3 rapid is like a ride down the red carpet at the Oscars. Photos from the left, photos on the right, drone in the sky! This is your moment, this is your time to shine, just make sure to wipe the snot off your nose as you smash through the multiple hydraulics on this one.

7. Chamberlin Falls (North Fork of the American River, NFA)
Horizon lines while on the water typically get your heart racing. In the case of the horizon line of Chamberlin Falls, your heart has already been racing since the start of this rapid half a mile upstream. Breathe, in through the nose, hold it, now out through the nose slowly. Now that you have your breath back, forward paddle hard over the drop to rejoice at the bottom as you are now in one of the most beautiful river locations in Northern California.

6. Texas Chainsaw Mama (MFA)
One of the best named rapids located in a California State Park. The name just rolls off the tongue, Texas Chainsaw Mama Massacre Meets One-Hundred and First Airborne. Now say it again 3 times fast, while you decide which of 4 different lines you are going to maneuver the raft though.
They include, The Berm, The Raft Guide Launch, The Dog Leg Right, and The “AO”

5. Hospital Bar (SFA)
After this rapid you have two choice to make, go to the hospital or go to the BAR. I guess you have other options too, but that’s the saying. Bull Riders, Airplane Rafts, Backwards, Forwards, if Satan’s Cesspool is your LinkedIn portrait, then Hospital Bar rapid is definitely your Tinder profile pic.

4. Barking Dog (SFA)
Surf’s up! Literally. In a world that includes rafts, tubes, river boards, and yes, even surf boards, it can be an all day love affair with this singular wave. In 2017 there was an inflatable raft surf competition that was won by the legend himself, Jeffrey Brown.

The line up to get your surf on!

3. Staircase (NFA)
The climax of the commercial whitewater rafting section of the North Fork of the American River is Staircase rapid. This Class 4+ rapid has multiple moves and just when you think you are done a wrap rock in the middle of the river makes sure you don’t celebrate too early. Getting a photo of your group navigating though this rapid is sure to enhance your social media presence.

2. Trouble Maker (SFA)
Back before AWE bought ARR this was a hang out spot, now the property and its seating access is “off limits”. This rapid was a live theater of raft guide action, private boater action, and yes the TUBE float trips gone wrong. Trouble “Bubble” Maker has been home to the Tow Up Cup, Swift Water Rescue Training, and the legend of kayakers intently throwing rocks into the river to make it harder.

Still trying to figure out why they call this one troublemaker….

1. Tunnel Chute (Middle Fork American River)
Some local guides say, “It really should be called Chute Tunnel, as the Chute is before the Tunnel” non the less, it’s a rapid that ends by floating through a tunnel (sometimes swimming though the tunnel). You can classify the challenge of this rapid into certain time frames. Pre 1997, 1998-2017, 2018, Post 2018

Let's just say in 2018, there were a lot of swimmers….

Since then, Tunnel Chute Rapid on the Middle Fork of the American River has gone back to it’s originally intended purpose, and allows for the pure joy and excitement of accomplishing a California Class 4 whitewater rapid. At least most of the time. ;)

Hot Shot Imaging provides some of the most classic rafting photos this side of the Mississippi. Be sure to check out their Instagram page @hotshotimaging for some bloopers and amazing rafting photos.

Comments, errors, difference of opinion… please share and comment below. Have had the experience of rafting one of these great rapids? Feel free to share your story.

Haven’t been rafting yet, but would to try? Follow the link below, and let us guide you towards the best rafting trip available for you.

If you just can't wait, then book your adventure now!