Anytime is a good time to go whitewater rafting! If you’re a student, or parent of a student, you might be thinking summer fun is over and it’s time to hit the books. O.A.R.S. won’t object to bringing school projects on the river: all of your gear, school books and book reports will remain safe and secure in dry bags while on the river. In fact, I bet some of the O.A.R.S. guides would be happy to help with homework!

Below are six ideas for September whitewater rafting trips.

• Carrie Aronson, our Private and Charter Trips Manager, suggests a trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon as an ideal September rafting trip. This river trip offers dramatic canyon country and ancient rock formations with fascinating geology through Canyonlands National Park. It is an ideal trip for any outdoor enthusiast. Think of it as a mini-Grand Canyon trip. O.A.R.S. offers a 4-day trip on this Class III river, with departures every Tuesday through October.
• Of course, you can still sign up for rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River, as well as the Middle Fork American River. The Class III South Fork is known as "Everybody’s Favorite River" and is a great introductory river trip. The Class IV Middle Fork steps it up a notch, with the unforgettable ‘Tunnel Chute’ rapid. Both rivers are quick and easy getaways from the SF Bay Area, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.  But, we can’t all be in Northern California, right?
• O.A.R.S. also offers special September rafting and fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. These trips are offered on September 21 and again on September 28. The whitewater is world-renowned, and the fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb!  Fish for cutthroat (you might expect to catch upwards of forty fish per day), native rainbow, mountain whitefish as well as bull trout. O.A.R.S. guides are familiar with the best fishing spots the has to river offer.
• Raft the Class II-IV Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley on a unique 10-day Peru multi-sport vacation with O.A.R.S.  Stay in comfy (dare I say luxurious?) lodges and explore archaeological remnants of the Inca civilization including the stone ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo with a stop at the Chinchero Market before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
• Raft the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and stay in one of West’s most glorious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge. This 6-day Ranch & Raft vacation from O.A.R.S. is the ultimate blend of excitement, fun and relaxation. Throw in a little horseback riding and Moab mountain biking and you’ve got an ideal fall getaway!

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Can’t say that it is here in Northern California! Our days are still filled with warm sun and some of our most accessible rivers continue to offer fun flows. O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting trips will run through the end of September on the South Fork of the American River and the Middle Fork of the American.

The South Fork of the American River, located a short distance from Sacramento, is an ideal trip for those looking for their first whitewater rafting experience. We call it “Everyone’s Favorite River” because it has an ideal combination of fun, splashy rapids, excitement, challenge, as well as calm sections in which to have water fights or go for a swim.  Its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area makes it a fun and easy one-day getaway.  The South Fork is rated Class III.

The Middle Fork of the American River steps it up a notch.  This river, located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, offers one of the most unforgettable rapids in the state – Tunnel Chute. Technically, the rapid should be called Chute Tunnel, as you will drop down a chute (approximately 15 feet) over a distance of 80 feet, concluding with a big drop into frothy, churning water. You will then pass through a 90-ft long tunnel. This secluded river canyon is a must-do for any river runner.  The Middle Fork is rated Class IV.

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Written by Tracy

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Summertime, sweet summertime:  school is out, warm weather is here, and you just might be ready to sign up for that whitewater rafting trip you’ve long been considering.  There’s no time like the present!

Ask yourself some questions first to help you decide what river trip is right for you. Be honest.  What do you like? Are you an adrenaline junkie? Do you enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone? Are you looking for a fun, one-day rafting trip for the entire family? Have you rafted before, loved it and want to step it up a notch? Are you looking for something close to home? Are you looking for stunning scenery? Do you want to combine your river trip with another activity to turn it into a vacation?

California rivers are rated Class I – V.  Here is a brief explanation of river ratings to help you decide what is right for you:

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Written by Tracy

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As of a March 7th report from the American River website, the snow pack that feeds the American River is at 101% of normal.  All three Forks of the American River (South Fork, Middle Fork, North Fork) are swollen with runoff. The North Fork of the American River briefly peaked at 11,000cfs (3 x safe boating flows).

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If you are considering a California whitewater rafting trip and/or a Yosemite National Park vacation, you may want to consider booking your flights now.  Airfares to San Francisco (SFO) from the East Coast are really, really cheap right now.

I subscribe to airfarewatchdog.com – and discovered r/t airfares for less than $300 – even during the peak summer season!

Watch for lower airfares to Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC) and Sacramento (SMF).  Sacramento is the closest airport to the South Fork American River, as well as the Middle Fork and North Fork of the American rivers.  It shouldn’t take more than 1½ hours to get from the Sacramento airport to the South Fork American put-in.  It will take approximately 3-4* hours to drive from the San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose airports to the South Fork American/Middle Fork American/North Fork American rivers (or the Tuolumne and Merced rivers).  (*depending on traffic – I would encourage you not to schedule an arrival or departure during rush hour traffic.) All airports are relatively equidistant to the rivers).

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I caught up with James Rodger a second ago. (He’s O.A.R.S. California/Oregon Operations Manager). We haven’t seen him around the office much lately, and I wanted to know where’s he’s been. Inquiring minds want to know. (I thought maybe he was hiding out because his rockstar girlfriend just left to guide river trips in Peru…)

He told me, “Hey, we’re busy! California whitewater rafting is up. I think people are staying closer to home maybe due to gas prices. We just had some stellar runs on the Tuolumne River this past week or so. It was flowing around 3000 cfs, which is just a great flow. We had great folks and great flows. It’s all good.”

For the record, I think it’s always ‘good’ for James. He’s definitely the go-to guy, the one you want to be on a river with. Easy going. Experienced. Upbeat. Well-traveled. Playful. Responsible.

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Thanks for the HOLLA Tom Stienstra! There’s a fun, informative article on California whitewater rafting found in the online version of the San Francisco Chronicle – the SFGate.com. As Stienstra mentions, for the highest flows – go now!

The Merced River near Yosemite National Park – a free flowing river – may have just another week or so left in the commercial boating season. (Folks in kayaks or inflatable kayaks could probably eek out another couple of weeks.) Don’t let the opportunity pass you by – it’s a super fun and accessible river with bouncy, splashy rapids.

The Tuolumne River (also very near to Yosemite National Park) will run all summer and into September.

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