Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    H2O Adventures

    5.0 (808 reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 9:00 pm

    H2O Adventures Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - H2O Adventures

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Thompson N.

    I had an amazing time with H2O Adventures in Lotus, California. I booked the half day Upper Chili Bar trip, which is a Class 2 to 3 route, and it was the perfect mix of chill and exciting. Our meeting time was 8:30 AM, and I highly recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early so you have time to find parking and check in. They are very strict about being on time. If you arrive at 8:45 AM or later, they may start without you since there are other groups waiting and everyone goes out together. The rafting trip itself was really fun. Our guide was helpful, patient, and funny, which made the experience even better for our group of 8. I felt safe the entire time, and once our group started getting more comfortable, our guide suggested fun ways to make the trip more exciting. We tried things like having someone sit at the very front, intentionally bumping into a rock to see what would happen, and taking the harder routes with stronger rapids. At the end of the trip, we were shuttled back to the parking lot, which made everything easy. They also had hot running showers available to rinse off and clean up before heading home, which was very appreciated. I would definitely come back and try one of the harder routes, like the Middle Fork of the American River, which is Class 3 to 4. The Upper Chili Bar is a great choice if you want something fun, exciting, and beginner friendly without being too intense.

    Big rapid rafting!
    Mark H.

    Excellent adventure for the fam. We have adult kids but there were younger kids on other boats. Haley was an amazing guide and knew how to line up the best lines and instructed us how to paddle through the rapids. Tyler was great at honoring an earlier gift certificate we had and coordinating the trip. Highly recommend if you like outdoor adventures.

    Rafting the Mid-Fork
    Jennifer L.

    Absolutely.... Don't hesitate to go with H2O adventures. They are professional, knowledgeable, and make you feel super comfortable with some humor sprinkled in between! Even the stop for lunch was incredibly delicious and refreshing ! Devin our guide was awesome, he makes you feel at ease because of his knowledge, attention to detail and his humor! Extras: we surfed some waves, jumped off rocks, rode the bull (sat solo on the bow of the boat and held on for dear life!), floated outside the boat, all on the MiddleFork. It was very exhilarating. You get enough class 3 & 4 rapids and time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. (I'm sore in some places and it's the day after, and I'm a fitness instructor). Best stop before heading to Lake Tahoe! If you stay overnight, the little town of Auburn has some great history. Fun to walk the town.

    post hospital bar

    Awesome time with H20 and two of my sons (14 and 11) on the south fork 1/2 day outing! Kelo was our guide and did an excellent job. Can't wait to run it back with this outfit next summer with the rest of our family. Highest recommendation possible. Don't think twice about going with with anyone other than H2O!!

    Teresa G.

    We had the best time. 2 adults. 2 teenagers. 1 nine year old. So much fun. Our guide Airy made it special with extra fun during the quieter parts of the river. I only wish I would have worn more sunscreen. Highly recommend!

    Rafting

    See all

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hilda C.
    92
    31
    31

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike O.
    54
    44
    36

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pinky B.
    3
    252
    146

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric W.
    128
    420
    6016

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amir H.
    12
    10
    1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann H.
    83
    15
    5

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shelly H.
    90
    23
    41

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny T.
    1244
    1206
    4227

    5 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Athena N.
    0
    28
    172

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rikki J.
    165
    30
    9

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert J.
    68
    95
    11

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tyler S.

    Tyler S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 21

    H2O Adventures Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - H2O Adventures

    How rough are the class 2/3 waters?

    Hey Lisa! Our Class 2–3 trips definitely aren’t a lazy float — you can expect splashy waves and some fun, exciting sections. That said, we regularly take kids as young as 6, first-timers, and even non-swimmers. It’s a great mix of adventure and… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - H2O Adventures

    Our guides, Pierce and Diego, were exceptional and we flashed the class 4s on the Middle Fork with ease.

    Mentioned in 121 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Whitewater Excitement - Awesome time

    Whitewater Excitement

    4.9(402 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    Certified professionals
    Family-owned & operated

    I was afraid to go Whitewater rafting because I get seasick very easily. But I tried it anyway, and…read morethere was absolutely no problem. No seasickness at all. Not to mention how wonderful our guide Gretchen was, and how beautiful the river was. I'm 66 years old and this was my first white water raft. I wouldn't call it scary but it was very thrilling and exciting.

    I've rafted on the South Fork and Middle Fork several times times with various companies- I have…read morealways had a great experience- but the companies change names or stop doing middle fork- which is what led me to Whitewater Excitement this year- Everyone who works there from admin to guides to drivers etc are super helpful and nice!! My sister, nephew and I wanted to do Middle Fork this year and I remember it being an adrenaline rush and challenging but so fun- We picked a Tuesday so it was not crowded, but when it ended up being just the three of us in the raft with Juli, I was a little nervous, remembering how intimidating tunnel chute was- and I didn't have the security of a full raft of people to weigh down the raft and help paddle to build up speed. This just goes to show you how important a seasoned veteran rafting guide is Juli was amazing. He gave clear instructions, he was very calm, and he managed the raft like a pro. No no flipping over and no one fell out. So exciting! Now I want to go to Costa Rica and look up Whitewater excitement there and request Juli. Hope to do this at least one more time this year. If I lived closer, I would go more often. Ps- I read some people complaining that you have to pitch in to carry the raft from the water up to the trucks and from the trucks down to the water, I've only been with one company that did not ask you to do that. All the rest have always had the rafters help out in pitch-in.

    Photos
    Whitewater Excitement
    Whitewater Excitement
    Whitewater Excitement

    See all

    Action Whitewater Adventures - styling Gunsight

    Action Whitewater Adventures

    4.7(817 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Yesterday my girlfriend and I did the full day trip down the South Fork of the american river and…read moreit was a great trip. I did this sam trip two years ago and on both trips had a really good guide with a great personality. Scenery is fantastice and the rapids are fun to run. Not sure why they ask for an additonal $5 for parking, seems unnecasary. Resommend doing this on days where the temps are 90 degrees or below the sun can be very brutal and it will be very hot. Will be doing again in the future.

    We did the South Fork Chili Bar. Met at the campsite around 9am and then took about a 25 minute…read moreshuttle ride to the river. Our tour took about 3ish hours and we conveniently ended up back at the campsite by 1:30pm where we had lunch! Lunch included a cheeseburger with vegetable toppings, chips, and rice krispy treats. Our guide was Lucas, who we found out was a white water rafting champion in Brazil! The Chili Bar included Class 2 and Class 3 rapids. The water was ice cold but was refreshing on a hot day! Lucas made our trip very fun and adventurous but still made us feel safe. Life vests and helmets were included for safety. Photos were available for purchase as well. Would recommend to bring cash for tip and parking ($5 each car so carpool if you can). I'd highly recommend Action Whitewater Adventures for anyone looking for fun and adventure!

    Photos
    Action Whitewater Adventures - 15 Mile Lower Run, May 13th, 2013 with our guide, "Jungle Jim" & Group Leader Chris!

    15 Mile Lower Run, May 13th, 2013 with our guide, "Jungle Jim" & Group Leader Chris!

    Action Whitewater Adventures - Another photo from our trip on 05/13/2013! Check out my review too.

    Another photo from our trip on 05/13/2013! Check out my review too.

    Action Whitewater Adventures - Hospital Bar AWA Style!

    See all

    Hospital Bar AWA Style!

    Raft California - Staff setting up the rafts.

    Raft California

    4.8(691 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Sometimes you have an experience that you know will stick with you for the rest of your life. This…read morewas one of those times. We did a two day south fork trip, with a stop for the night on the river bank. Our guide Cryin' Bryan(just kidding Brian!!) and bonus gear guy Gator, were absolutely amazing. The were kind, helpful, had the best stories and cooked the best food. We did 21 miles of river over two days and it was unbelievable. Things we learned on this trip... -Gator taught me how to make a camping mocha(more like chocolate coffee when I made it!) with instant cocoa mix, coffee, creamer and water. -A tortilla wrap with PB&J and trail mix is the thing of dreams. -The front right seat of the raft is the 'hot' seat(or wet seat) and you will get hammered repeatedly. Haha. -Camping on the side of the river is magic. Pure. Magic. -Hospital bar has its name for a reason. -Composting toilets in the woods smell like a gerbil cage. -Brian's love of Star Wars and pineapple fried rice lead me to believe we could be real life friends. -You can make lifelong friends out of strangers you meet on a rafting trip. The meals they provided were amazing. Well beyond normal camping fare. For sure a perk with the trip. With things like chicken salad pitas, pancakes, sandwich wraps and fajitas, we were never hungry. We upgraded to the canvas tent they have at the campground for the first night and it was wonderful. The little front porch and getting to hear the river while we slept was magic. The newly upgraded bathrooms were probably the nicest I've seen at a rustic camp ground. The shower stalls are outside, but each one has a locking door with the shower stall and a little changing area with hooks and a bench(and the rain shower heads were great, but know the water pressure isn't the hardest, but not the worst either). When the 'Boss Man' picked us up from the river on the last day, it was really neat to get to chat with him. He asked for anything we think would add to the trip, and the only thing we can think of would be to bring along a yard game for the overnight trips, like ladder-ball or something for on the river. But there is absolutely nothing we would change. Enjoy my million pictures. I really couldn't pick and choose what to show, so I showed it all! We can't wait to go back!!

    We enjoyed the half day class II-III+ trip. Everything went smoothly from start to end. There were…read morechill about people being late: I think they might leave a buffer because people are always a bit late. I really appreciated they had a page linked after you book of all the things to know before the trip. Getting ready was smooth, and the guide was helpful on the way with paddling instructions and questions. We dropped into the water at two points and also got to switch seats so everyone tried being at the front. The water is extremely cold. There are two photo spots where they took pictures you can purchase. Lastly the bus to get back went great, but they kind of left us alone right after we got back to camp, even though we had some questions and were going to leave a tip (we left our wallets in the cars).

    Photos
    Raft California - Transportation from base camp

    Transportation from base camp

    Raft California - Safety instructions

    Safety instructions

    Raft California - Farrel our amazing instructor!!!

    See all

    Farrel our amazing instructor!!!

    H2O Adventures - rafting - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...