South Fork of the American River

Trip Compliance

Trip Size Limits

Now that we have an official permit for the South Fork, we have a strict passenger limit.

The rules don't care if people are guides or apprentices or guests or participants or chaperones.

During the high season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend

Weekend Example: If you're running a 6-boat Saturday trip, the total limit is 36 people.

Weekday Example: If you're running a 6-boat Friday trip, the total limit is 31 people. 

The weekend trip limit is "effective" because there is some intentional flexibility in the rules. If we were to run full trips every day of every weekend of the Summer, our weekend limit is actually 22. But that's unlikely, so we can safely say that our limit is 30.

During the off season: After Labor Day weekend to before Memorial Day weekend

Weekend Example: If you're running a 6-boat Saturday trip, the total limit is 28 people.

Weekday Example: If you're running a 6-boat Friday trip, the total limit is 31 people. 

BLM Regulations

El Dorado County River Etiquette Standards


Directions

To Chili-Bar Put-In

To Nugget Put-In

From Chili-Bar or Nugget Put-In to Henningsen Park

To Camp Lotus Put-In

To Henningsen-Lotus Park Put-In

To Skunk Hollow Takeout from Camp Lotus

To Salmon Falls Takeout

Note for Leadfoots

Be aware of speed limits! There are frequently visited speed traps in front of Henningsen, Marshall Gold, and along the Salmon Falls section of Highway 49. Also, both sections of the shuttle runs are heavily populated by bicyclists, so be careful going around blind turns.

Folsom Reservoir Tow

Rafter's Toe provides raft tow service through Folsom Reservoir to either the Private (Skunk Hollow) or Commercial (Salmon Falls) take-outs. If you have a weekday or early-season trip you may need to schedule an appointment (530-622-9650).

Tow service has not been available since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To predict if you will need a tow, check the Folsom Reservoir Elevation or see the paddle distance from Dreamflows