Middle Fork American River

07/08/2021

 Become an Otter Spotter Otter Spotter is a community science program made to collect, map and save otter sightings. We began in the San Francisco Bay Area, and are now accepting sightings from anywhere in North America. Anyone can collect a sighting! If you see an otter, take a photo if you can ...

01/29/2020

Overlooking the North Fork of the American River just before it reaches the confluence with the Middle Fork.

The Foresthill Bridge sitting high above a foggy American River. Photo by Joseph Dondelinger.

01/22/2020

The stunt included driving a red Corvette off the 730 foot bridge and a stuntman parachuting off the flying car to the American River at the bottom

07/12/2018

See the Middle Fork from a new perspective.

05/26/2016

The Middle Fork will have great flows all the way into September this year; if you haven't rafted through Tunnel Chute rapid yet, add it to your bucket list!

If you have been waiting to explore any of our ten California rivers, this is the year to start planning your whitewater rafting trip! The above map shows our current forecast for the coming rafting season; we will post updates both here and on the All-Outdoors Facebook p...

06/10/2015

The Middle Fork release schedule has been updated with more midweek days this summer!

Experience the wonders of the Class III-IV Middle Fork American River! Check out the 2015 water release schedule and ways to save up to 25% on your trip!

01/14/2015

New Video!

06/17/2014

Slideshow!

Middle Fork American River rafting trips with AO Rafting showcase the best of California whitewater and scenery. Our slideshow takes you into the canyon for a two day overnight trip. . .

04/22/2014

"Tunnel Chute rapid has to be one of the coolest rapids in California–it’s a heart-pounding ride down a chute literally carved out of solid rock that ends in a placid float through a small hill. What??? Yes, it’s true, and you gotta see it to believe it. Plus there’s another 17 miles of wilderness canyon with class III-IV rapids and calm stretches for day-dreaming and relaxing. Middle Fork river trips will run May-September."

Drought, Schmout: Here's Where We're Going Rafting In California

04/21/2014

"Overview: The Middle Fork is known for the "Tunnel Chute," a Class IV/V rapid, with a narrow banked water slide that drops 20 feet in about 35 yards. Gold miners created Tunnel Chute more than 100 years ago. This is a Class IV river located in the Sierra foothills, where the primary put-in is near Foresthill below Oxbow Reservoir. The whitewater is more advanced than the South Fork American and better suited for experienced rafters and pro outfitters. The run, top to bottom, is 17 miles, and can be extended as an overnight trip. The Middle Fork also has great trout fishing.

Primary staging areas: Below the dam at Oxbow Reservoir.

Prognosis: On Friday, rafting flows were guaranteed seven days a week, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Prospects: Excellent."

The story of this summer's prospects for rivers, rafting and trout fishing might sound like a yarn right out of the "Outdoors Department of Yer Eyes Ain't Foolin' Ya." In a reversal of what is logical thought for many, conditions and flows on several rivers will be spectacular into summer for raftin…