American, S. Fork, CA

Jeff surfing at Maya

Jeff surfing at Maya
Photo of Jeff Gymer by Paul Martzen taken 2007-11-17 @ 1500 cfs

River Description

The Chili Bar run is one of California's premier and most popular whitewater runs!

River Descriptions:
Dependable flows through the spring and summer, and weekend flows all year round make Chili Bar a very popular section of river.   During times of the year when most other California whitewater rivers are too low to boat, the Chili Bar powerhouse still turns on at 9 AM and turns off around noon.   Kayakers and rafters flock from all over to boat here.   The bonus is that this is a very high quality run with fun rapids, wonderful play spots and good scenery. 

On summer weekends, the river is mobbed by rafters and kayakers.   Early in the morning and late in the day you can still find relative solitude. 

Put in:  Chili Bar has a large parking area and gravel beach for launching rafts and kayaks.   There is a per car and a per person fee to launch.   There is a small store, drinking fountains and bathrooms.   This area is now owned and operated by The American River Conservancy.

Take out:   There are several take out options in the Coloma area.    Most of these options charge a per person fee.    Each of the campgrounds along the river allow launching or take outs only by those paying to stay there or paying a day use fee.  There is no fee for river access at the highway 49 bridge and at a couple other spots.    At present, boater access is not allowed at Marshall Gold Discovery  (State Historic Park).

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.

River Maps:
You can print out these river maps and take them with you: Map #1 or Map #2.

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 Ch.

Non affiliated
California Floaters Society
NEW Kayak Club,

Online Information:

There are several great write-ups out there about the Chili Bar run. El Dorado County has this mile-by-mile description, as well as other information about many other activities in the area. Bill Tuthill also his pictures and description of the run 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.

You can get more information from California's Whitewater Community at boof.com.
Or a closer source of information about the Chili Bar run maybe obtained from The River Store.

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