Advanced Guide Workshop at River Runners in May 2026. It's a fun opportunity to explore and learn technical steep river rafting from experienced career guides. Touching a variety of skills - carving rafts on waves, using different rock features to maneuver, multiple move big wave rapids, balancing vertical rafts. We spent 5 days on the Kaweah with excellent water conditions to learn. Recommended to help push the edge of your guiding comfort zone, with experienced career guides watching. read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

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Top notch! I have run a number of rivers in the US/Canada both guided and unguided. In all those years I haven't met a group of folks who understand their clients, the river, and natural history nearly as well as River Runners. They are truly next level. Low key, while reading exactly how much was needed to fire up the paddlers. We spent a ton of time playing in the holes like a kayak, and riding the eddy lines. No stress adventure! read more

Wonderful program and experience for White Water and Kayak merit badge for our boy scout troop (kids ages 11-16). Came early on a Saturday and stayed 1 night. All food and tents were provided, along with high quality education and training. Our time on the water was unforgettable for our scout troop and all of the guides were fabulous. Worked great with the scouts and treated us to a buffet of meals. John was great to work with when planning the event and we plan to make this an annual trip each year. Scouts all loved doing Class I, II and III rapids and kayaking down the South Fork. Appreciated the wetsuits as well (we came in May) and all of the safety gear. Wonderful to work with and would recommend for any other scout group or family reunion. Thank you to the awesome River Runner's team! read more

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MIRACLE WORKERS: Our family had a great experience with River Runners who was referred to us by a family friend. Our river guide Stella, was a second-generation rafting guide and realy knows every nook and cranny of the river. From "surfing" to popping a wheelie to experiencing an "adventure swim" where the current gently pulls you under and then pops you out again - I noticed that River Runners really took time to stop and experience the river while many of the other rafting companies just floated by... Which brings me to the miracle... Stella invited us to climb a large boulder in the river on one of our many stops to jump off into the deep end. While I was climbing, the cold water must have shrunk my fingers because I watched as my wedding ring spun off my finger and bounced twice before falling into a deep rain hole 4-5 feet deep. We spent about a half hour trying to fish it out with no success and sadly we decided just to finish the trip having lost my ring. I assumed the ring was lost in the great white river and was bummed- but the owner John heard about it from Stella and e-mailed me the next day saying they would go back to search for it. Two days later, John contacted me again to say that they had found it and mailed it back to me. I don't write a lot of reviews on Yelp- but this above-and-beyond spirit really needs to be recognized in this day and age. Our family had a fantastic experience on the full-day Chili Bar trip and I would have given them 5 stars either way- but certainly having them find my ring will make this an experience I won't ever forget. read more

We went rafting and it was one of the best experiences ever! and thanks to Chris, he is a clear example that when you love what you do it shows, you are the best !! highly recommended read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

If you're sitting wondering if you should go rafting with River Runners...just say YES! River Runner is the best rafting company on the American River hands down! This is an experience you won't regret and wish would never end! A 2-day rafting trip on the South Fork of the American River with River Runners means enjoying the river for hours, guides who are extremely skilled on the river have great personalities (jokes, fun facts, and insightful conversations are endless), pulling over on the river to immerse yourself in nature (nature walks, rock art, jumping off rocks, berry picking, eddy swims, etc.), running rapids (and then turning around to surf them) and so much more! And don't forget about the camping amenities and food. It's an all inclusive ordeal! The camp and tents are set up for you upon arrival and the food is DELICIOUS (so much variety...it's not your typical hot dog/canned food situation you'd find camping). Definitely check out their website for the full spiel. I would recommend River Runners a thousand times over!!! read more

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Just spent three days up at Camp Lotus with River Runners USA and it was absolutely AMAZING! We brought a group of seven Boy Scouts and four adults, the Scouts were to earn their whitewater and kayaking merit badges. While another adult coordinated the arrangements with John, the owner the process was very smooth. We arrived on Friday afternoon, checked in at the Camp Lotus office and were directed to the River Runners campsite. All of our tents were set up upon arrival, as John and Sara met us and give up a quick overview of the camp. We provided the blue merit badge cards for John, filled out so he could sign them upon completion of the merit badge courses. We got settled into our tents and relaxed. The camp is located right on the river, which made it very easy to launch the following day. As evening came, we went for a quick swim, as the temperature and humidity was stifling. We arrived back at camp and as the sun was going down the Scouts played games, shared laughs and memories. John started a small campfire and s'mores items were left out for all camps are partake in. It was a great first night Aside from the rafting, the food was outstanding! I identified as "vegan" when I signed up and they took care of me! Some great food over the course of three days and it was really appreciated. It was not just salad and tofu, there was so much good food to partake in, not only for me but for all the the boys and other adults. Saturday night, steak, chicken and fish! I don't think anyone walked away hungry. The entire staff did a great job keeping all of us fed. As for the rafting, I was a first timer and didn't know what to expect. Heard stories about another company our troop used last year, but this year seemed to be better in many respects. Most importantly, the guides. The Scouts spent all the time on the water with Kyle, who really catered to the boys and made them have a great time. While knowledgeable, was able to connect with the boys and have fun while learning. While there are many companies on the American River, River Runners USA took their time down the river. Our guide, Sabrina took her time, we made quite a few stops, to swim, jump off rocks or skip rocks. It never felt like I was rushed by the company to get down the river. The class III rapids were experienced were challenging at times, but great fun! She did a great job providing instruction and answer the endless questions we seem to have reassuring some of us the raft wasn't going to flip over or sink when it filled with water. All in all, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND River Runners USA. The camp location, their set up, the food, the guides and the owners all made this a very memorable experience for our group. I can't wait to contact John and set up another rafting experience next year. Thank you so much for everything provided! read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

It was our first time going river rafting and this was 5 stars! Loved the entire experience from the rafting, dinners to the tent sleeping. We had a group of 17 friends and family, and every single person had such an amazing time. This company truly does cater to your group to make sure everyone is happy. Not like any of the other corporate companies that are strict. River Runners makes you feel like your trip is customized for your family. Totally recommend " Remy", he was our tour guide and kept us laughing and smiling for two solid days. The meals prepared were so awesome! Steak, fish and chicken ! Also the showers and bathrooms were very clean. This will be our yearly trip for the family. Look no further as River Runners is the best! read more

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Class 3 was such a blast. We did the one-day Gorge rafting trip and it was amazing. I have never done this I wasn't sure what to expect and I was a little nervous. Our guide, was Rae ‍ She was really fun she tailored the day to the eight adults in the raft we did so many things other rafters (companies) we're not doing. I would recommend river runners to anyone (all ages) it is safe, adventurous and very very fun. I should mention the lunch was delicious, fresh and there was plenty of it. read more

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Just spent three days up at Camp Lotus with River Runners USA and it was absolutely AMAZING! We brought a group of seven Boy Scouts and four adults, the Scouts were to earn their whitewater and kayaking merit badges. While another adult coordinated the arrangements with John, the owner the process was very smooth. We arrived on Friday afternoon, checked in at the Camp Lotus office and were directed to the River Runners campsite. All of our tents were set up upon arrival, as John and Sara met us and give up a quick overview of the camp. We provided the blue merit badge cards for John, filled out so he could sign them upon completion of the merit badge courses. We got settled into our tents and relaxed. The camp is located right on the river, which made it very easy to launch the following day. As evening came, we went for a quick swim, as the temperature and humidity was stifling. We arrived back at camp and as the sun was going down the Scouts played games, shared laughs and memories. John started a small campfire and s'mores items were left out for all camps are partake in. It was a great first night Aside from the rafting, the food was outstanding! I identified as "vegan" when I signed up and they took care of me! Some great food over the course of three days and it was really appreciated. It was not just salad and tofu, there was so much good food to partake in, not only for me but for all the the boys and other adults. Saturday night, steak, chicken and fish! I don't think anyone walked away hungry. The entire staff did a great job keeping all of us fed. As for the rafting, I was a first timer and didn't know what to expect. Heard stories about another company our troop used last year, but this year seemed to be better in many respects. Most importantly, the guides. The Scouts spent all the time on the water with Kyle, who really catered to the boys and made them have a great time. While knowledgeable, was able to connect with the boys and have fun while learning. While there are many companies on the American River, River Runners USA took their time down the river. Our guide, Sabrina took her time, we made quite a few stops, to swim, jump off rocks or skip rocks. It never felt like I was rushed by the company to get down the river. The class III rapids were experienced were challenging at times, but great fun! She did a great job providing instruction and answer the endless questions we seem to have reassuring some of us the raft wasn't going to flip over or sink when it filled with water. All in all, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND River Runners USA. The camp location, their set up, the food, the guides and the owners all made this a very memorable experience for our group. I can't wait to contact John and set up another rafting experience next year. Thank you so much for everything provided! read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

Book with River Runners for a truly memorable experience! I would give River Runners 6 stars if I could! Everyone is super chill and really focused on making sure all their guests have a blast. John was able to accommodate our reservation with short notice and once we arrived at camp Lotus everything from there was all organized and taken care of for our 1 day trip down the gorge. Our guide Chris was what really made the trip fun and memorable. He took his time guiding us down the river checking out many spots and stopping to swim and jump off rocks. Surfing was epic!! Chris knows so much about the area and we really enjoyed our time and conversations. Every video from the trip the whole boat is laughing and enjoying the moment. Already looking forward to coming back next year to see our new friends at River Runners!! read more

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My first rafting experience and I can easily say this was an amazing experience! Chris2 our raft guide was exceptional! He was masterful and an experienced educator. He was well versed in the history of the area and a highly skilled "rafter". I gave my nephew $20 to give to Chris2 because I thought they were going to tip him too. Nope! only the $20. He deserved $50 for sure. Amazing experience through and through. Very polite staff. Chris1 our driver he was exceptional through the the windy roads. Made it very comfortable with all of this. Staff was helpful and accommodating to holding our items because we forgot to leave important articles in our car. Meal afterwards: hamburgers and hotdogs and fruit. We were full! A+ read more

We just competed our seventh group trip with River Runners and I'm glad to finally wrote this review. Their trips are safe and fun - top notch guides, equipment and attitude. Their prices are reasonable and they really focus on making the river an experience for their guests. We stopped and played in some fun spots, jumped off a big rock, and joked with the guides. We have had about eight or nine guides on our various trips and they are all top notch - and there are a half dozen who we see year after year, a testament to how they treat their staff. There are lots of choices on the rover and we have tried others on individual trips. Rover runners is the best. Thanks R2! read more

Booked a weekend trip for our Boy Scout families and everyone had a blast. River Runners is a tightly run ship and they curate a magical experience. We arrived after dark Friday night and yet it was stress-free because the tents (spotless and near-new) were set up and there were lights in the dining area to illuminate our way. Every meal was delicious and surprised us with the abundance of fresh, organic, tasty ingredients. It was hard to believe we were camping, the food was just phenomenal (I'm from the Bay Area with plentiful access to amazing food - and this did not disappoint!). The guides were the perfect combination of informative and fun, and they worked hard. After guiding us down the river all day at whatever level of adventure we wanted, they helped prep and serve meals, all while smiling, sharing great conversation, and making us feel welcomed and appreciated. Special shout-out to my guide Remy! Enjoyed rafting and surfing with you and love knowing you're teaching the next generation. Can't say enough good things about our weekend experience. River Runners' campsite is beautiful, and while the bathrooms are shared with Camp Lotus, they were always spotless. Thank you River Runners for creating a memorable experience for our Troop! Trust the reviews on this one! This is a family-owned business and it delivers a significantly better experience than the larger companies on the river. This was my third time rafting in the area and the first with River Runners. Our group is already talking about returning next summer! Working with John was seamless. I would give this company more stars if I could! read more

We had a great trip with John, Sarah and Andrew! Third year in a row in June and it was great. Great dynamic leaders who were able to lead us adults and kids on a great rafting trip. And great food too! read more

I want to start off by saying river runners had a big reputation to live up to. Back in the 80's our dad would plan huge trips of about 30 or more people from SoCal to go up on these weekend rafting trips. The pictures and stories were what we grew up on. He took us when we were old enough and it was a blast! So with our dads passing a few years back we decided we had to go in memory of him. Last year we opted for a little bit cheaper option. It was fun and a good experience but NOTHING Compared to this year!!! Our guide Kyle was seriously the best!!! You see we are a group that loves to laugh, tease each other (especially Paul) and the weirder we are the more we laugh. Let's just say Kyle fit right in! From picking grapes and enjoying them to picking blackberries and smothering ourselves in them so we looked like we survived a zombie apocalypse going down the river, it was HILARIOUS!! The looks of fear on other's faces was priceless! Ok so not only was Kyle way beyond fun but he knew what he was doing and did everything he could to make sure our rafting trip was FUN and safe! My favorite part and also scariest part was "surfing"! I have never surfed on any of the other 3 white water rafting trips I had been on. Kyle worked his butt off to get us in there and we surfed a ton of rapids! Then at one point we decided to go bob sled style with my brother on the front of the boat riding it like a bull, lol!! The men with us went swimming down the swimmers rapid (too cold for me). We all tried standing down some smaller rapids which as hilarious! Kyle was definitely the most skilled guide I've been with because we didn't have one hiccup going down the rapids! We even had kayakers come up to us saying "they couldn't believe how we were surfing the rapids!" Oh and we saved a few kayakers on our way too! Then we got back to camp after the most EPIC RAFTING EXPERIENCE EVER, where Kyle and Sarah (the owner) cooked us up a delicious lunch! They actually took all of our food preferences and intolerances into consideration. Kyle helped me make a lettuce wrap for my burger (I'm gluten intolerant) and they made extra veggie burgers for my friend who does not eat meat. We asked Kyle to eat with us cause we didn't want our time to end with him. Let's just say our only regret was not using river runners last year and not staying for the entire weekend! We are 100% coming back to camp at least once next year (we already have 1 full boat and most likely another) and hopefully a few weekend trips before we go for the middle fork! Thank you river runners and thank you Kyle!!! read more

River Runners - Surfing! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

A group of 10 adults and 3 kids made a last minute plan to go on a camping trip on the memorial day weekend. Contacted River Runners and talked to Sarah and John. They were able to accommodate us at such a short notice. We took the 2 day package that included tents, meals and a 2-day rafting experience. We did not expect much since it was last minute and were unsure of what kind of food we'll get there. Once we reached there, everything was way above expectations. The campsite was lush green, well maintained and clean. Sarah and John (owners of River runners), made our stay very comfortable. All the meals were warm and fresh, including good vegetarian options (which are usually so hard to find) like fresh veggies and fruits, cooked by Sarah and her team. Sarah was so hospitable and warm, taking personal care of each one of us. We felt like we went to a friends' place! Our rafting guide, Mr. Chris Wilson is amazing! He made the 2-day rafting experience so much fun, never rushed us through, stopped at all the activities and made sure we had a gala time. He has 25+ yrs of experience as a guide so I felt so much safe with him too. I'd definitely recommend River Runners and would 100% return every summer! read more

What an AMAZING TIME! We booked the 2 days river raft camp package. It was so much more then we imagined! Food was great, campsite clean, new, organized, closed off from other cars and campers, fun activities( cornhole, jenga, fire pit, s'mores ext.) Everything about the location is great! The rafting day one was so wonderful! It was a long fun day of easy safe rafting, and some fun wild times! Cruising down 12 miles we got to swim, run rapids, surf the raft, jump off rocks and swim in some of the most fun spots all the way down! Chris, we like to call him snaggletooth, because he has one missing tooth, was soooo fun! He made the trip easy, safe and made sure we all had a laughing good time the entire day! The boats are not over filled, and they do not rush the day! Unlike the other companies that were rushing by ya while we found fun spots to jump off rocks and swim. The food... amazing! Full meals cooked by the entire crew made hot and fresh! Breakfast, lunch, snakes, dinner, desert! So good This was a amazing time for us! Thank you river runners for making it so easy to have a good time and relax! Highly recommend you book these guys! Even if it's just for the day! Kay McCoy read more

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If there were more than five stars, I would certainly give them to River Runners, as they definitely deserves them! From my very first phone conversation with Sarah, and there were several of them as I constantly wanted more information, to the morning we had to pack up and head home, was an absolute delight. We were so impressed with their service, food, accommodations, and knowledge of the river and all that surround it. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel super welcomed and comfortable. The staff are all so friendly and like a big family. Our guide John, being our first time, put us all at ease from the start and was so gracious in taking his time to point out so many unique spots along the 19 mile trip. As we made our way down the river, over the course of two days, I noticed several other rafting companies pass by us and not participate in any of the fun activities River Runners offers. I asked John about it, and he informed me that the other companies don't do it. We were able to jump off rocks, surf the tide, get out and swim, and a multitude of other activities. Thank you John, Sarah and the entire staff at River Runners. We will be back and cannot wait. Sending you all our best, Andrew & Michael The gay/straight buddy duo. read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

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This place was recommended by a friend who has been going there for several years. I recently got back from what I can only describe a 100% awesome rafting adventure! I went with my two boys (13 and 11) and our friends who have boys the same age. This was our first time and I can't imagine it could have gone better. River Runners made our trip special, amazing, and incredibly easy! We loved it so much that we will be going back again soon. John and Sarah own the company and they are there giving tours and working. John's brother Daniel was out guide and he was outstanding! Daniel is like a river whisperer. He and his family grew up playing in and around the river and Daniel showed us so many special treats that the trip went well beyond a regular white water rafting adventure. Daniel showed us special currents we could float in, he encouraged us to float around in some of the calmer water, we jumped off of rocks, picked wild blackberries and so much more. While we were doing all of these unique experiences, other rafting companies were paddling down the river from one white water spot to the next. If I could give them 6 stars I would. Included in our two day package were all meals, tents, sleeping pads, and river guide. All we brought was sleeping bags and sunscreen. Sara and John cooked the food which was fresh, local, and delicious. The accommodations at Camp Lotus where we stayed were comfortable and convenient. (Showers and flush toilets). The tents were actually set up for us when we arrived. Everything about our trip was outstanding. John, Sara, and Daniel gave us an experience we will never forget and one we want to repeat every year! Here's a video I made of our trip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrM4WtCARVI read more

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Just ended an epic weekend trip (2 nights, 1 day) with 12 friends. These guys are by far the best company on the river for a couple reasons: 1.) They have a campsite right on the water with an awesome food setup. When we woke up in the morning we had made to order omelettes and coffee cranking at 7am! 2.) The guides GET IT. While other companies are having water fights, the guides at River Runners have found a great balance of appreciating the river while also getting into some adventurous stuff. We spent the entire day on the river (5 hours) and at no point did I feel like we were in a hurry. The crew was up at 7am making breakfast and still there making brownie sunday's at 9pm....incredible! 3.) Insane value. We spent $200/person which included dinner, camping (tents included), breakfast, lunch, and dinner again. The food was went over the top of my expectations and then some. Great for a group of friends or a family. I've lived in the bay area for 3 years and I will definitley be back! Jordan read more

River Runners - Private camp site! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

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We took the two day trip. I was originally planning on just taking my two boys (ages 12 and 10) but had a last minute add of my niece and nephew (13 and 11) to the group. River Runners did not hesitate to accommodate my last minute additions. We had a fantastic time and were so well cared for. Our guide was Ray (short for Rachel). She was charming, skilled, knowledgeable, and great with the kids. They were constantly wanting to swim alongside the boat and asking her a million questions. She took it all in stride and found ways to keep them happy with lots of "adventure swims" jumping off rocks and swimming in whirlpooling eddies etc. She even obliged them by letting them feel like they were ambushing and ramming another boat on our tour. The boys were thrilled! She also made sure to keep them safe - and with 4 kids on our boat that was a lot to keep track of. She would gently encourage them to swim closer to the center current. She always knew where they all were and made sure they were having a great time. Camp and the food was amazing. It was such a treat to go camping and not have to set up all the tents and figure out all the meals. They even built a fire right in our campsite. We definitely plan to go again next year. It was a great time! read more

Why choose River Runners? The guides are great companions on the river: entertainers, hype-men (and women), historians, teachers, and, most importantly, rafters. You can tell that Jon and Sarah are incredibly passionate about what they do. The River Runner guides will take you to all the best places on the river - you really get your money's worth! There were many times when we saw other rafting companies march on by, 10+ nose-to-tail rafts, stuffed with 8 people to a raft. River Runners has a very different philosophy. You'll get more time on the river, more personalized trips from expert guides, and all-in-all probably have a much better experience. Also, the food was phenomenal. And, if it matters for you, they take a lot of care in prepping special meals to accommodate food allergies. read more

Ran the river again with River Runners on 8/5 and they (the outfitting, the guides, the food, the entire experience) were GREAT again. Very professional yet small locally owned and fun to be on the water with. These guys take there time and do it right! Andrew, my guide in an Inflatable kayak private trip again, was outstanding. The raft guides, Chris and Chris, were also very engaging and extremely capable/experienced on the river. John the owner/manager is friendly and proficient at organizing and keeping this a smooth running machine. The food is real whole food (not bologna and Wonder bread as seen with other companies on the So Fork). My sandwich was Dave's Organic Good Seed Bread, Hummus, Avocado, Sundried Tomato and real roast beef (or optionally sliced turkey breast) with dijon mustard, fresh sliced tomato and romaine lettuce. There was a family with 8 and 10 year old girls and they were considerate enough to bring PB&J, so everyone was happy. For desert there were a couple cookie options (oreos and another brand) and for the health conscious they also had fresh grapes. For the not so health oriented, they also had three different types of potato chips on hand. Well done, gents ... thank you! read more

This was my second year camping and rafting with the River Runners. The group I was with have been doing the rafting trip for 16+ years and I can tell you why. From the owners to the guides you can just tell from the minute you arrive that they are passionate about what they do and are excited to share their knowledge with you. Beyond the excitement of rafting you'll learn bits of information about the wildlife and plant life that makeup the river you're on. We just left and am already looking forward to next year. read more

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Rafted with River Runners for the 9th time this past weekend. A true experience with them every time. Always outstanding from arrival to departure. I love everyone here and cannot wait to go back every year! Tons of fun, food is outstanding and the history and knowledge of the river is beyond impressive. Want fun, laughs memories make them with River Runners! read more

Just did our first trip down the lower fork of the Sacramento River with these guys. John owns the business and was really helpful and friendly. Marc was our guide. He worked well with folks of different abilities and made it safe and fun. He was also full of local history and a warm, funny guy. I highly recommend booking with River Runners. read more

Rafted Sun 9/29/19 with Chris as our guide. So much fun!! We did the all-inclusive full day Gorge South Fork trip. He expertly guided us down 12 miles of river and had us laughing the whole way. The first half of the day was pretty chill, the second half super exciting!! We also had time to jump off rocks or swim (it was a little chilly but a few of our party partook!) The lunch provided was delicious! My friends and I can't wait to sign up for a 2-day trip summer 2020. read more

I can't say enough good about our experience here. After calling around to different rafting outfits, right away talking to John put me at ease. I told him what my scenario was & number of people and ages of kids, and he was able to help coach me through to plan appropriately and make everyone comfortable. I loved our guide Scotty and enjoyed him sharing his different experiences and river knowledge. Not only was this a safe and exciting adventure, it was an educational experience that my whole family will remember for the rest of their lives. This place deserves a 10 out of 10 in my book. I love the fact it is a locally owned buisness (not a Corporation or chain). Nothing but love and respect here, no disappointments and worth every penny don't forget to tip your guide! read more

We just returned from a family birthday celebration with 13 people ranging in age from 8-70. We chose a River Runners to raft with and it was the best decision we made. It was the most wonderful,enjoyable, fun, exciting, laughter filled event for our entire family. River Runner staff completely tailored our trip to our needs. They were sensitive to our eating necessities down to the last thing. They were warm and gracious and extremely knowledgeable about the river and nature and the surroundings. They were amazingly patient with the children and took us to nooks and crannies while other companies just floated on by. We never felt like we were rushed or on a schedule and considered everyone's requests. We will definitely return to raft with a River Runners. Absolutely the best company of people. Thank you John, DANIEL and Sara for an amazing weekend read more

River Runners - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

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Best rafting company on the river by far. They take the time to give you a trip of lifetime and do many fun activities along the way down the river and not just get you down the river as fast as possible unlike the other companies. Breakfast lunch & dinner was also extraordinary. Highly recommend River Runner, this was my 6th trip with them and like always it was beyond perfect. read more

Although several others in my group had already done white water rafting, this was my first experience. I highly recommend this company because I feel they really strive to make your experience a memorable one. The others in my group stated that this tour was unique in the sense that it was smaller, and allowed extra time to stop and experience things that the other companies did not seem to do. Some of the fun things we did included, stopping off at the "massage garage" to have a snack and a swim. Our guide, Chris, also allowed those who wanted to get out and float down the river. There was also another area where he let some of the more adventurous people in our group jump off some rocks into the cool water below. Chris also picked a few blackberries for us to try, and also attempted to show us how to skip rocks. We ended our day with some hamburgers and hotdogs (or veggie burgers if requested). The knowledge and humor that Chris provided throughout our adventure was well worth the money! I will definitely be back to try a different part of the river with River Runners tour someday soon. read more

River Runners - River Runner Rafting Trip with our guide Chris - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Lotus, California

We had an amazing time on our two-day trip down the American River. My friends and I took a guy's weekend to blow off steam and reconnect. John and Sarah were amazing hosts as well as river guides. Their approach is to give you a great experience on and off the river. The campsite is at Lotus campground, a nice space along the river that unlike other sites I've stayed at, was green and grassy, not dusty. Our group shared the area with one other group and tents were set up for us when we got there. Breakfast and dinner were wonderful. The crew cooked for us in their new outdoor kitchen. Eggs, bacon and fruit for breakfast. And good coffee! Dinner was a variety of choices, all fresh. Plus we had lunch to take on the river with us. The rafting experience couldn't have been better. John took our group and showed us features of the river that we wouldn't have gotten from other bigger companies. With his many years of experience rafting on the American and elsewhere, we felt relaxed knowing we were in good hands. Not to say the river wasn't exciting in parts, as we managed to find all the sweet spots on the rapids to get a great ride and get plenty doused with shockingly cold water (thank God temps were in the 90's or better). We also really enjoyed our conversations on the boat with John, as ours is a philosophical group and love to talk. He shared a lot of his knowledge and experience and had real interest in what we had to say. Though we weren't in Sarah's or Kyle's boat, we could see they were expertly guiding their groups. Both of them had young kids and everyone seemed to be having a great time with no problems. If you can, I recommend taking a two-day trip on the South Fork so you have time to really get into the flow of things. They offer other options as well on their website. Whichever you decide on, a highly recommend giving River Runners a try. read more

My family is not at all the outdoor-type... but we really had a blast with river runners' two-day trip! A total of 7 of us went, including one child (age 10). He was very nervous about it the trip, but our guide, John, made him feel so comfortable. John took him under his wing and got rid of all his fears and anxiety. We all had a great time and each of us would recommend it to friends and families alike! It also needs to be said that these people know what they are doing! Many other rafting groups looked uneasy on the water, and at times, we were scared for them. Our guides knew the river so well and we always felt completely safe! I am also absolutely convinced that we had more fun with river runners than we would have with another group. Their knowledge and passion became even more evident when they let us swim through some rapids and showed us cliffs to jump off (all totally optional, but so fun!!). Other groups definitely missed out on these extra opportunities. Other perks include +good food (and plenty of it) +tents to use for no additional cost (and they are set up upon arrival!) +tons of great pictures to purchase +clean bathrooms +amazing and accommodating staff! There are lots of choices for rafting, but this is one to go with!! read more

One huge river, but many different companies. Which company should you choose? I highly suggest River Runners! Many of the neighboring companies in the area just blow past the river without letting their rafters fully be involved with the natural surroundings. Unlike those other companies, the guides at River Runners actually give you the best possible experience for river rafting. Instead of just rafting through the river for 4 hours, the guides at RR know how to provide a great time. They put emphasis on embracing and appreciate the river, not just rafting it. The guides let you slow down to admire the scenery, and they even let you hop out the raft (if it's safe and not near the rapids) to go for swims. Not only that, but they know so many spots surrounding the river. There's different rocks and short cliffs that they stop at during the rafting, allowing people to take a break; they even get to jump off the rocks/cliffs! With that said, the guides also know safety. They've been going through the river for many years and they know what's safe and not safe. If you go with River Runners, you'll definitely be in good hands and will definitely have an unforgettable experience! read more

Do not go with any other company - only go with River Runners USA. Pros: Joe T. is the BEST guide on the South Fork of the American River All guides have been with River Runners for years Owners are a wonderful, friendly, accommodating couple Safe, knowledgeable guides No helmets Stops along the river to swim, jump off cliffs, and explore Terrific camp location Grassy tent areas Delicious food Evening games and activities available Tents provided if you need one River Runners guides are truly kind, fun, loving people Other companies zip you down the river and your trip is over in 3 - 4 hours. With River Runners you'll be on the river for 6 - 8 hours depending on your guide. JOE T. is so awesome. There are two Joes, both are good, but Joe T. is our go-to guide. He has been on the river since the mid 80s and believe me he knows the ins and outs of that river like nobody else. He is a strong swimmer, strong paddler, totally into safety, but making the trip fun, exciting, relaxing, and really gets you to think about things you would never consider. With River Runners we stop in multiple places for exploring, learning about the wildlife, plants, the history of the Gold Rush on that river, and of course jumping from cliffs (optional), swimming and floating down river, and really learning the value and safety of team work when paddling. If Joe T. says ALL FORWARD (or all back, or left forward, right back, etc.) do not stop paddling until he says ALL STOP. You will get through the hairiest rapids unscathed while other rafting companies have numerous flips and "swimmers" throughout the day. A "swimmer" is someone who falls out of the raft. On my trips with River Runners, we rarely have seen anyone flip out of a raft. Believe me, you don't want to go flipping out of a raft - it is very rocky in that river. So you only want to be out when the RR guides tell you it's a good place to swim or float. All other companies make the rafters wear helmets. They flip rafts and fall out. At RR, no helmets. Probably because the RR guides are all so safe and actually teach you how to paddle together as a team. You won't see RR rafters flailing paddles; everyone learns how to paddle together. That is key to a great trip. Joe T. likes to get ahead of the other rafts in the RR family so he can "run safety" for our other camper/rafters. We get ahead on the rapids and then eddy out and he will prepare to assist any "swimmers" who pop out of rafts (rare with River Runners) and/or we can just watch the others barrel through the rapids. Then we all jump back in the boat and carry on down river. You are paying for a day, or two or three, on the river. Don't rush through it with other companies. I can't say enough good things about River Runners USA. Amazing family owned company with awesome guides. Many are related to each other and have left other rafting companies to join the River Runners family. That tells you something about the company. The guides here have a very long day. They arrive at camp to make coffee and tea for 7:00 AM service time. Then they all cook a delicious breakfast for an 8:00 service time. Then we raft all day, come back for a late lunch, depending on return time, which all the guides cook, then we shower off, play games, relax, and the guides then cook a full dinner for everyone around 8:00 PM, they clean up and go home for the night, returning the next day to do it all again. TIPPING your guide: PLEASE tip your guide about 20% - 25% of the cost of your trip PER RAFTER. These guides do an amazing job and deserve the tip. A two-day trip costs about $400 or $500. Please, bring on the tips. They work hard and some people only tip like $20 or $40 bucks for two days of rafting. That is not cool. A good solid tip is about $100 - $150 for the two day trip (or more $$) per rafter. These guys so deserve it. That is one thing I can't express enough. They really paddle hard and give you a FABULOUS time. Tip well, people. CAMP: Camp is in a nice grassy area at the end of the camp road with river access. It is surrounded by trees and lush green grass which is reserved only for River Runners. They have a permanent kitchen set-up with lots of tables, a fire pit area, and games for the evenings such as bean bag toss, mitt and foam ball catch game, maybe a little badminton set up and bocci ball. Can't remember all of the little games. You pack all of your own gear and they provide the food. Showers and bathrooms are just down the road, shared with the regular campers at Camp Lotus, but that's no biggie. The bathrooms and showers are simple, but clean. BRING: Bug spray Shower items/towels Lots of sunscreen Camping gear A couple swimsuits/rafting outfits (probably don't want to wear the same ones two days in a row) No-slip rafting shoes like Tevas, Vibrams, or water tennis shoes. Try to wear close-toed shoes to protect your tootsies. read more

2nd time white water and had a tremendous experience with this outfitter. We had a group of 25 and the guides were spectacular ...Kyle and our raft reigned supreme (of course) and we got some very cool rapids, GREAT food, and good river knowledge in during our two day trip...thanks to the whole river running crew, fine holiday fun! A few minor points to remember: beer & wine is included but if you have a big crew don't forget to bring some extra libations. Bug spray is a definite as well. Campsite / showers / restrooms all decent. There was even a masseuse that we met at the general store who came down with her massage chair and set up shop after day 1. read more

We took our friends rafting with River Runners last week after doing lots of research online and talking to a friend of ours that used to be a guide in the area. It was definitely worth the research. We had a great experience with RR on the South Fork of the American River. It was so much FUN! Our favorite rapid was Satins Swimming Pool, but my favorite part was definitely when we went "surfing". We also got to stop by the river and jump off of rocks. River Runner's equipment seems nice and new. Our guide for the trip looked like Wolverine with lots of rescue equipment attached, ready to snatch a swimmer out of the water at any time. Wolverine was informative and fun. I felt very safe in our raft. I almost forgot, the food on the trip was amazing! Fresh fruit and sandwiches for lunch and a variety of deliciousness for dinner. I'm looking forward to bringing back a bigger group next year. read more

I highly recommend River Runners! They can make the trip as chill or intense as you want and John, the guide I had, has the subtle skill of guiding you safely while still letting you feel like bad-ass on the rough spots. We stopped us at a bunch of cool spots on the river (including "The Bellybutton" and the "Birth Canal"), jumped off rocks, stopped to learn about plants growing on the banks, and, of course, braved the rapids Looking forward to another trip!! read more

With the risk of sounding cheesy River Runners Rocks! My friend and I were looking for river rafting on the American River and found this site. If you like to have fun than River Runners white water rafting is for you. The guides are fun and extremely knowledgeable. I felt like I was in really good hands. Not only did we have 2 fun days of rapids, paddling, and splashing but they fed us amazing food all cooked by the staff. We also enjoyed a campfire at night with marshmallows and when we got there they had set up our tents for us. I would say full service with a smile. I will be back for sure! read more