American, S. Fork,

7. Coloma to Greenwood Creek (C to G)

Gauge Information

River Description

The C to G run is a shorter run of easy Class I and II+ rapids, perfect for beginners and boaters of all skill levels. There are long stretches of slow moving flat water, interspersed with riffles, but there are several significant class 1, 2 and even 2+ rapids. Highway Rapid is particularly long.

Put in:
There is a public launching area at the downstream end of the Marshal Gold Discovery State Park. A parking fee is required of all autos.

Take out:
Greenwood Creek river access has 40 parking stalls. Boats must be carried up a trail from the river to the parking area. This area was developed by the BLM in 2005.

Other access locations: Boaters can also launch a short ways upstream of Marshal Park, at either American River Resort or Coloma Resort if they pay day fees or are camped there. Kayakers can launch at the highway 49 bridge, but parking is very limited. Henningson Lotus Park has a boat launching area at the downstream end. Fees are required. Lotus Park allows day use river access for a fee. Several other campgrounds along the river provide river access for their customers.

River Descriptions:
There are several write-ups that talk about the rapids found on the C to G run. But because this is a shorter run, you may have to dig through these write-ups to the mileage below the Chili Bar section to find what you're looking for. The C to G run starts in Coloma around Mile 8 and goes to the Greenwood Creek river access at Mile 11.
El Dorado County has this mile-by-mile description. Bill Tuthill also his pictures and description of the South Fork American at cacreeks.com. Then there is the American River Page that has a wide range of information about the river and the region, including a forum and photo gallery.

Local Clubs:
There are a number of active paddling clubs that frequent this river. Listed below are just a few.
AW affiliates
Gold Country Paddlers.
Chico Paddleheads
Sierra Club: Loma Prieta Chapter.
Non affiliated
California Floaters Society
NEW Kayak Club,

Online Information:
You can get more information from California's Whitewater Community at boof.com.
Or a closer source of information about the C to G section maybe obtained from The River Store.

The River Shuttle is a new experimental shuttle service. If boaters use a shuttle service to get to the put in or from the take out, it can reduce air pollution, and reduce traffic congestion.

Check here to see other rivers in California of similar difficulty Class 1 & 2 Rivers

River Conservancies:
Protect American River Parkways works to protect the North and Middle forks of the American River, along with The American River Conservancy.