THE CALIFORNIA RIVER DIRECTORY

There’s a river for that.

Big adventures, slow afternoons, and everything in between. Find a stretch that feels like you.

8 river guides to get you outside

Curated starting points. Not an exhaustive inventory.

Class I–IISHASTA CASCADE

Sacramento River

The heart of Northern California.

Late spring–early fallScenic paddling

5 access pointsMeet the river

Class II–IIIGOLD COUNTRY

South Fork American River

A little gold. A lot of whitewater.

Spring–early fallWhitewater

3 access pointsMeet the river

Class II–IIITRINITY & NORTH COAST

Trinity River

Take the scenic route. Then keep going.

Late spring–summerWhitewater

2 access pointsMeet the river

Class I–IISACRAMENTO VALLEY

Lower American River

Your out-of-office, close to home.

Summer–early fallScenic paddling

2 access pointsMeet the river

Class IV–VGOLD COUNTRY

North Fork American River

Wild water. No easy shortcuts.

Spring snowmeltBig adventure

2 access pointsMeet the river

Class I–IICENTRAL VALLEY

Lower Stanislaus River

Make a whole day of taking it slow.

Late spring–summerScenic paddling

2 access pointsMeet the river

Class III–IVYOSEMITE & SIERRA

Merced River

Follow the snowmelt out of Yosemite.

April–July, snowpack dependentWhitewater

2 access pointsMeet the river

Class IV+YOSEMITE & SIERRA

Tuolumne River

Go deeper into the wild.

Spring–summer, release dependentBig adventure

2 access pointsMeet the river

Month filters show typical planning windows, not current availability or safe-flow guarantees. Check the official sources in each guide before traveling.