Step beyond just a float trip! Rapids ahead!
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Call (530) 823-0931 or Click here to Email
Directions & Details
Canyon Raft Rentals is located in Auburn at the edge of the North Fork of the American River Canyon at 133 Borland Ave MAP. The north and middle fork rafting runs go through the Auburn State Recreation Area and commercial establishments are prohibited along the river. This is why we are not next to the river!
The South Fork of the American River lies about a half hour to the south on Highway 49. This river is located in El Dorado County which does not allow raft rental businesses to be located there, although there is no problem bringing a boat from outside the county! Another reason why we are in Auburn.
Click here for map of the rivers
Gear Pickup & Transport: Rafts are generally picked up at our rental location deflated. Your raft comes with a high volume pump for inflation at the river. Most of the rafts will fit in a car trunk. Rafts can be picked up as early as 8:00AM and returned as late as 9:00PM.
Click here for driving directions from SF Bay Area
Details
What to Bring: In summer bring shorts/bathing suit, T shirt, hat, river sandals or sneakers, sun glasses and sunscreen. Your footwear must be firmly attached to you feet so they can't come off in the river. Flip flops are a bad deal on the river. You need sturdy footwear to walk on rocks and stuff. You may want to bring retainer straps for your hat and sunglasses so you don't lose them in the river. On hot summer days bring 2 quarts of water per person. Large gallon juice jugs work better on a raft than small bottles. Keep your lunch compact (prepared sandwiches) in zip lock bags. If you must have a cooler its better to have a soft cooler as people sometimes get bounced around in whitewater. You can rent a soft cooler at our office. Things to avoid: Towels, extra clothing, glass containers, backpacks, belt pouches. Summer temperatures run in the 90s. The less extra stuff hanging around the boat or on your body the better. Also; excessive alcohol is best avoided on the river. The runs on the forks of the American River are not suitable for booze cruises. The rapids require perception and teamwork to negotiate safely.
Hours: 8:00am to 9:00pm but we sometimes have to leave in the hot afternoons after the rentals are out. Please call ahead of time so we know to expect you. When we are out and about your calls are forward to the cell phone. If the phone is in a dead zone you can leave a voicemail.
What's Included? Rafts come with life jackets, paddles & hand pump. Also available for rent are electric pumps, gear bags, soft coolers, throw bags, oar frames, wetsuits and other miscellaneous gear.
Shuttle Logistics: Since you won't end up were you started, you'll either need 2 cars (or a designated driver); one to leave at the endpoint and one to go to the put-in. It is convenient if each vehicle can handle the gear plus all people or the extra people can just hang out by the river while the car is retrieved. Or you can arrange to be picked up, dropped off or have your car driven back.
Who will be the Captain? A boat without a guide (or too many guides) will soon end up on the rocks or in the bushes. The designated guide person observes the river, decides how to navigate through the various river features, tells the paddlers when to paddle forwards, backwards, stop paddling or turn the boat. You can learn this by watching a video, reading a book, taking some lessons or by trial & error. The trial & error method works OK if you start on easy runs but incorporating the other ways will shorten your learning curve tremendously. We show a half hour training video at our shop and also have books. Check out the River Features and Guiding Skills sections for a primer. Class 3 runs require proof of guide knowledge. Have your guide take the guide test.
Responsibility For Equipment: The renter is responsible for lost, damaged or stolen gear. There is a 5% optional damage waiver to cover repairs up to $200. Whitewater boats are extremely tough and rarely get damaged under normal use.
