Pilot Hill Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Experience the thrill of a lifetime on one of California’s most popular rivers! This exhilarating 9-12 mile journey offers whitewater excitement through the picturesque golden foothills. Feel invigorated and refreshed by the cool mountain water splashes as you navigate the rapids.
In 1848, the South Fork of the American River made history when gold was discovered in its stream bed, sparking the California Gold Rush. Today, the region draws adventurers for its thrilling whitewater rapids rather than its gold. Challenge yourself with Class III rapids like the “Meat Grinder”, “Triple Threat”, and “Troublemaker”. The morning is filled with fun Class II rapids, each bend revealing a new adventure.

Join us on the extraordinary South Fork American- Chile Bar run. With stunning foothill scenery and exciting rapids in a historically rich area, this river trip is the perfect escape on a hot summer day.

Meeting Point

4531 Salmon Falls Rd

4531 Salmon Falls Rd, Pilot Hill, CA 95664, USA

For rafting on the South Fork American River, Chile Bar Run we meet our guests in Pilot Hill. From here, we load into our vans and travel 30 minutes to the river. Once the rafting is over, we drive you back to Pilot Hill returning you to your vehicles at the meeting location.

What's included:

• Price includes PFD, Helmet, and transportation from meeting place.
• Wetsuits and splash jackets available when needed

Not included:

• Price does not include any photography offered by 3rd parties

What to expect:

Duration: 4 hours

Action awaits on this historical trip through one of California’s most popular waterways! Beginning just outside of the town of Placerville, this run offers 9 miles of whitewater excitement. Travel through the golden foot hills of the Western Sierra Nevada mountains as warm sun rays envelope your senses. Splashes of cool mountain water invigorate and awaken as you float through one of California’s most historical areas. In 1848 the South Fork of the American River changed the world when gold was first discovered in the stream bed. The California Gold Rush was born creating the largest human migration for a single purpose since the crusades. Today folks are still attracted to the region, not for its gold but for its whitewater. This trip starts off with one of the biggest rapids, “Meat Grinder” in an exciting introduction. Fun filled class II’s and III’s continue throughout the day with something new around each bend. Halfway down our guides prepare a rejuvenating lunch allowing time to relax and sun bath on shore as the sound of the river fills the canyon. Rapids continue after lunch leading to an exciting Class III drop, “Trouble Maker” near the end of your trip. Here your guides will entertain you with stories as the boats float by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Join us on an extraordinary adventure for all on our South Fork American- Chili Bar run. With beautiful foothill scenery, fun splashy rapids, all in an area rich in history, this river is the perfect escape on a hot summer day.