The Best Rafting Near San Francisco for Every Adventure Level

Did you know that if you’re in San Francisco or the Bay Area, you have prime access to some of California’s best rafting adventures? Just a few hours away in the central Sierra Nevada, you’ll find options for everyone—from beginner-friendly trips to adrenaline-pumping whitewater runs. Featuring an array of trips that cater to new and experienced paddlers, here’s your guide to the best rafting near San Francisco, all within a 2- to 3.5-hour drive.

Best For: First-timers, Families & Group Trips

South Fork of the American River

• Nearest town: Coloma, CA
• Drive time from San Francisco: 2.5 hours
• River rating: Class II-III
• Trip length: 1 or 2 days
• Typical season: April – September

The South Fork of the American River is a must-do for anyone looking for fun rafting near San Francisco. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a team building event, or just looking to make memories with friends, the South Fork’s splashy Class III rapids make for an exciting yet accessible group trip. Options include the half-day Chili Bar stretch, featuring nine named rapids and plenty of swimming opportunities, or the full-day Gorge trip which gives you the chance to warm up on some Class II whitewater before taking on rowdy rapids like Satan’s Cesspool and Hospital Bar. For the ultimate American River rafting experience, combine both runs for an epic full-day or overnight adventure.

Best For: Intermediate Rafters

Merced River

• Nearest town: El Portal, CA
• Drive time from San Francisco: 3 hours, 20 minutes
• River rating: Class III-IV
• Trip length: 1 day
• Typical season: April – July (depending on flows)

Originating high in the Sierra Nevada, the Merced River flows through Yosemite National Park, offering visitors thrilling rafting just outside park boundaries along a scenic stretch of Hwy 140. During peak snowmelt, the river delivers 18 miles of massive wave trains and Class IV rapids, including memorable rapids like Ned’s Gulch, Split Rock, and Corner Pocket. In the springtime, the rugged canyon is blanketed with wildflowers, and in abundant snowpack years, the rafting season can extend into July. Later season trips generally offer more family- and first-timer friendly Yosemite rafting action.

Best For: Experienced Rafters & Adventurous First-Timers

North Fork of the American River

• Nearest town: Auburn, CA
• Drive time from San Francisco: 2 hours, 15 minutes
• River rating: Class IV
• Trip length: 1 day
• Typical season: April – May

One of California’s top spring rafting trips, the free-flowing North Fork American River combines idyllic Sierra Nevada beauty with thrilling Class IV whitewater. Flowing untamed through a forested gorge with 2,000-foot cliffs, its emerald waters deliver nearly non-stop rapids right out of the gate, followed by gentler Class II-III stretches. With intricate boulder gardens, rushing falls, and staircase drops, this 10-mile stretch of challenging California whitewater promises intense paddling and adrenaline-filled thrills for adventurous rafters.

Middle Fork of the American River

• Drive time from San Francisco: 2.5 hours
• Nearest town: Auburn, CA
• River rating: Class II-IV (with optional Class V)
• Trip length: 1 or 2 days
• Typical season: Late May through September

In the mid-1800s, miners flocked to the Middle Fork of the American River seeking gold, but today it’s a hotspot for whitewater rafting. The river’s history is on full display, with remnants of mining operations scattered throughout its scenic canyon. One standout feature is the infamous Tunnel Chute—a Class IV+ rapid that was created when miners blasted through solid rock to divert water. After navigating Tunnel Chute, rafters are rewarded with a mix of exhilarating rapids like Chunder, Parallel Parking, Texas and Chainsaw Mama, combined with serene stretches, perfect for swimming, chatting with your fellow rafters and immersing yourself in nature. This 16-mile trip can be done as an adventurous day trip or an awesome overnight rafting trip near San Francisco.

Tuolumne River

• Nearest town: Groveland, CA
• Drive time from San Francisco: 3 hours
• River rating: Class III-IV+
• Trip length: 1, 2 or 3 days
• Typical season: May – early September

The Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River is undoubtedly the most idyllic whitewater rafting trip that’s easily accessible from San Francisco. Spilling from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park, the T’s 18 miles of nearly continuous Class III-IV+ rapids demand respect, particularly during high-water spring trips. Paddlers can expect technical and challenging whitewater features, including intricate boulder gardens, narrow chutes and big drops like infamous Clavey Falls, where rafts plummet eight vertical feet over a dramatic series of staircase drops before having to dodge a boat-munching hole at the bottom. This action-packed adventure can be done in a single day, but multi-day Tuolumne River rafting trips unlock the hidden splendors of this remote canyon, from secret swimming holes and natural waterslides to unspoiled campsites in the greater Yosemite wilderness.

Best For: Veteran Rafters & Adrenaline Junkies

Cherry Creek | Upper Tuolumne River

• Drive Time from San Francisco: 3 hours
• Nearest town: Groveland, CA
• River rating: Class V
• Trip length: 1 day
• Typical season: June – early September (depending on flows)

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, Cherry Creek rafting trips offer some of the steepest and most technical commercially-run whitewater in California. With an average drop of 110 feet per mile, the 9-mile run features more than a dozen Class V rapids, challenging even the most experienced rafters and requiring intense paddling. Expect boulder-choked passageways, waterfalls, massive holes and dramatic drops like Mushroom Rapid, which features a 30-foot drop over just 50 yards.

North Fork of the Stanislaus

• Nearest town: Arnold, CA
• Drive time from San Francisco: 3 hours
• River rating: Class IV+
• Trip length: 1 day
• Typical season: April – June (varies by season)

If you can catch the elusive North Fork Stanislaus at runnable flows—which is dependent on snowmelt and upstream reservoir releases—its crystal clear turquoise waters offer a little slice of whitewater heaven for rafters near San Francisco. The Class IV+ rafting trip begins at 4,000-feet and hurdles downstream five miles at a gradient of 70 feet per mile through a spectacular granite gorge into the heart of Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The non-stop whitewater thrills come early and often, delivering steep drops, boulder slaloms and exhilarating rapids like Whiteout, Rattlesnake and Big Trees Falls that require aggressive paddling and technical maneuvering. 

Plan Your Trip

All drive times noted above are approximate and will depend on where you live in the Bay Area, as well as traffic. Be sure to check travel times from your location and always build in extra time for unexpected stops and slow downs. For early trip meet-up times, consider traveling to the area the night before.