It’s time for Northern California whitewater rafting. What to know this summer
School’s out — summers’ in!
With the recent wave of triple-digit temperatures this past weekend, now is the perfect time to get by the water.
Feeling adventurous? It’s time to go on a whitewater rafting trip. Here’s what you need to know before heading outdoors in advance of Father’s Day weekend.
See video: We brave whitewater rafting on idyllic Northern California river. Watch us fall overboard
When should I go whitewater rafting?
The whitewater rafting season peaks in the summer months, from June to August, said Scott Armstrong, owner of All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting. The tourism and rafting company operates from April through October.
“July is the most popular time, not because the rivers are running better, it’s just that’s when kids are out of school, vacations are happening and that’s the time everyone wants to go,” Armstrong said.
The company oversees 10 different rivers statewide, and the most popular spots are the south fork and middle fork of the American River and the Tuolumne River in Yosemite.
What makes the perfect river conditions?
Armstrong said the three rivers above have excellent whitewater rafting conditions due to strong water flows released from reservoirs upstream.
“All of our other rivers that don’t have reservoirs upstream had very short seasons in spring, April and May, because there wasn’t a lot of snow,” Armstrong said.
However, California saw heavy rainfall this year, filling the reservoirs and rivers.
The American River south fork features Class II and III rapids and is considered the best option for children or seniors, The Bee’s Chris Biderman previously reported.
It’s the most popular among families. The south and middle forks are open all summer and into the fall until the weather changes. The season typically dies down when kids go back to school, Biderman wrote.
This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM with the headline "It’s time for Northern California whitewater rafting. What to know this summer."
