California White Water Rafting Trips:
Yuba River near Lake Tahoe - Undiscovered Secrets

Lower North Yuba River - Maytag Whirl
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class III-IV)
April through June

The North Yuba cascades down from Yuba Pass high in Tahoe National Forest to channel into a narrow canyon of pounding rapids and great natural beauty. The steep canyon walls are adonerd by lush, scented conifer forests, while willow, sycamore and alder line the beautiful river banks.

Experienced rafters and adventurous first-timers alike can try their skills on the dashing, nearly continuous whitewater of the Lower North Yuba's Goodyears Bar Run, which is a substantial step up from the South Fork American.

A special Class V cataract called "Maytag" - just upstream from Fiddle Creek - is a spectacular feature of this run. You might choose to walk around it!

The Lower North Yuba River is rated Class III-IV. We put in at Goodyear's Bar and raft to Fiddle Creek.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

9 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop rapids!

North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(Lower North Yuba River - 1 Day Maytag Whirl):

1. A great river to try as you rev up to become a Class V paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. Maytag!

Lower North Yuba River - Shangri-La
2 Day Rafting Trip (Class III-IV)
April through June

Enjoy this amazing 2-day trip on the dashing, nearly continuous whitewater of the Lower North Yuba's Goodyears Bar Run. It is for adventurous first-timers and experienced rafters alike.

We put in at Goodyear's Bar and raft to Fiddle Creek for the first day then raft Fiddle Creek to Emerald Cove on our second day.

As we pass "Maytag" - an especially spectacular Class V rapid - you will be given the opportunity to scout this rapid and walk around it rather than paddle it, should you so choose - or you can plunge right into it.

On these exciting two-day trips, we run this section twice, and enjoy the rustic pleasures of our lovely Yuba campsite overnight. Enjoy our fabulous camp cuisine, while relaxing around a campfire by the river. Another great benefit of the two-day trip is that, since the first day is often a blur of excitement, it is the second day that you begin to deeply take in and remember this truly amazing river.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

18 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop rapids! Riverside camping and delicous camp cuisine prepared fresh while you watch!

North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(Lower North Yuba River - 2 Day Shanrgi-La):

1. A great river to try as you rev up to become a Class V paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. Maytag, a fabulous camp cuisine and Yuba campsite overnight!

Upper North Yuba River - Class V Alive
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class V)
April through June

This is a great and challenging one day Class V trip. Whipped foamy white, the Upper North Yuba, from Union Flat to Goodyears Bar, wails down a tight riverbed of high drops and precipitous boulder gardens.

Highlights include the wild tumult of Moss Canyon and the Class V rigors of Rosassco Ravine just above Goodyears Bar. Depending on water levels, we sometimes vary the itinerary of these trips by doing Moss Canyon and Rosasscos Ravine twice, or other options, including moving upstream to the Class V Wild Plum run.

An excellent Class V rated 1-day trip for fit, veteran paddlers. Paddlers must have prior Class IV paddling experience and complete the Class V Warm-Up.

Upper North Yuba River Rapids: We raft the Union Flat Run on the Upper North Yuba. Memorable rapids include Moss Canyon and Rossasscos Ravine.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

8-10 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop class V rapids!

North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(Upper North Yuba River - 1 Day Class V Alive):

1. A great first Class V river for the intrepid paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. Boss Moss in the Moss Canyon section!

North Yuba Combo
2 Day Rafting Trip (Class IV-V)
April through June

This "Shake it Up" combo trip on the Yuba River in Tahoe National Forest combines the "Class V Alive" (Union Flat Run) - which we run last - with the "Maytag Whirl" (Goodyears Bar Run), making it a dandy 2 day trip for paddlers who want a rousing warm-up before tackling the Class V challenge of Moss Canyon and the wild, exciting foam of Rosassco Ravine.

Yuba River Rapids: The first day is rated Class III-IV and the second day Class V. On the Maytag Whirl section, top rapids include Tsunami, Two Pear, Gage Ledge, Rams Horn and Son of Maytag and Maytag. Day 2, Rosassco Ravine and Moss Canyon.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

19 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop rapids which build in intensity and excitement as the trip goes on, to finally erupt in the wild foam of Rasassco Ravine!

North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(North Yuba Combo - 2 Day):

1. A great trip to move up to become a Class V paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. After rafting, experience the "new age" resort at nearby Sierra Hot Springs

North Yuba River Rafting Trip Dates and Pricing

2008 Start dates:

April through June: We are able to start North Yuba River trips daily from April through June and possibly later (flows permitting), especially in years where we've had a good winter snowpack.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

To check availability and / or make your reservation, either call our friendly and helpful staff at 800-400-7238
or Use our new On-line Reservation System

More Helpful Information about
White Water Rafting on the Yuba River

For all of the instructions on rendezvous locations, what to bring, where to stay, and
everything else you need to know, please click to download our
Yuba River Rafting Rendezvous Information

Yuba River Area Links:

• Sierra Retreats Vacation Rentals
  Accommodation for before or after your trip on the Yuba River.
• Red Castle Inn
  An invitation to turn back time... in California's Gold Country at the award winning Nevada City Bed and Breakfast... the only authentically preserved historic lodging landmark mansion in Nevada City!
• Riverside Inn
• Sierra Shangri-La
• Downieville Carriage House Inn

Yuba River Flow:

The Yuba River flow comes from Sierra snowmelt during spring. Ideal flows are from 1000 to 2000 CFS, though we can run trips down to 800 and up to 4,000 CFS.

For detailed flow information click here.