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.