Sierra Mac helped my boys and I to have the spring break of a lifetime! With no rafting experience, Sierra Mac gave these newbies a taste of the Tuolumne River that was unforgettable. The group we rafted with was cohesive and kind, and the guides were patient, but challenging. We had the opportunity to be part of a rowing school and to understand the "science" of rafting. Examples of instruction were navigating into an eddy, ferrying across a current to the other side of the river, tying off a boat, setting up angles, and reading currents were just a few skills that were taught. Sierra Mac and our group was welcoming, eager to teach, and patient all the while giving appropriate feedback. The instruction truly was "hands on" as we got the opportunity to take a turn at rowing to learn the basic mechanics of boat rowing. While we expected to be in tents, we actually slept without them, and this ended up being a cool experience for us and pushed my teenagers to realize it can be done! Highly recommend Tom and the whole crew. Every guide was a class act, and we particularly appreciated how many combined years of experience they all brought. Next time, I'll bring a GoPro camera to capture the thrill a little better on the rapids. We hope to be able to do this again! Thank you Tom and Sierra Mac! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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We had an amazing time on the one-day trip. Two dads and our twelve year old daughters. Everyone at Sierra Mac was great. Brandon was our guide - he set up for each of the big falls perfectly and dialed us in for some fun "surfing" for the girls. Great trip. Will be back next year. Thanks for the good times. read more

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An amazing experience. I took my two sons on this trip (age 10 and 21)...All 3 of us had the time of our lives....The scenery was AMAZING. Our guide Matt/Smiley was awesome/funny/informative. Could not recommend this experience more.....You won't be disappointed!! Our guide knew the Tuolumne River like the back of his hand, and was able to educate as we had a blast. My 2 sons will forever remember this and an unforgettable experience. If you can swing it I'd recommend you get the photo package...There is a photographer in his own raft capturing every moment.....So you get to relive the fun through the photos of your day on the river.....Better than any amusement park anywhere...Guaranteed :-) read more

After speaking with three rafting companies while planning a trip to Yosemite area we ended up choosing Sierra Mac. Boy are we glad we did. First off you can do 18miles on a day trip which is un heard of. The flow was amazing. But what really set this apart from several other outfitters over the years were the guides (Ask for Awesome Andrew the Arborist) and their professionalism and safety/fun factor. Secondly i've done a ton of day trips and never seen a lunch spread like this. Whole family still talking about the sandwiches, options and even had Keto bread (one of 5 choices), several cheese options, meat and veggies. Plus fresh cut fruit. Was epic and something that we will remember. Met the founder Marty-river legend and his son Tom who drove us to the drop site-also legend and cannot say enough about this operator. Clearly a cut above the rest read more

Our family had a great time on our three-day, two-night trip with Sierra Mac. Our guide, Zack, navigated the river with such ease and skill. He was knowledgeable and struck just the right balance of engagement for our group of six, which ranged in age from 12 to almost 80. The guides had an adventure planned at every stop, from natural water slides to rock jumping. Thank you to the entire crew! Pro tip: Rent the sleeping mat! I'm especially grateful to "Smiles" for giving up his mat so I could ditch my old Therm-a-Rest and enjoy a great night's sleep on a comfortable river mat. read more

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These are some of the world's best river guides running two sections on some of the world's best river trips. The Tuolumne is The California Classic. Just tremendous. And Cherry Creek: Well, what is there to say about the most technically challenging piece of commercially-run whitewater in the world? It is the best, as are the guides who run it. Sierra Mac is just fantastic. We had a blast boating with Jackson on our recent trip in addition to the rest of the crew. read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

This team is the best you can hope for. Provided us with all the info and basic training we needed, plenty of opportunities for questions, and made it crystal clear what a serious undertaking we were getting into on Cherry Creek -- all with a sense of humor and humility. Our guide Brandon absolutely crushed on our run and after the first few rapids it was obvious he had full command of the lines. He'd be the first to tell you it doesn't always go so clean - I had all confidence he and the whole team were well equipped to handle any situation that might arise. Thanks for an amazing day! read more

We did an overnight trip with Sierra Mac, and it was a truly great experience! Ray, Jordan, and Junior were amazing guides. They were really kind and clearly know the river so well. Running the rapids was a blast, and the vibes at camp were perfect. They made us super tasty food, and it was overall such a chill, fun experience. Highly recommend this trip to groups looking for some adventure and laughs out on an incredible stretch of river! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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We had a wonderful time with Sierra Mac last weekend. We did the main Toulumne class 4+ trip. Sierra Mac sent trip info and waiver before trip so we had a general idea of the day agenda. They have shower and other facilities on site for those that's needed. Our guides Andrew and Zach were very knowledgeable and experienced. The trip was fully action packed and yet very safe. Big kudos to photographer Juan for his wonderful pictures and videos. I would definitely recommend Sierra Mac for anyone that's looking for a fun day out on river. read more

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Unforgettable Adventure on the Tuolumne River with Sierra Mac! Sierra Mac is a family-owned operation, led by Marty and Tom and it shows. Everything felt personal, intentional and deeply rooted in a love for the river that they share with guests. The Tuolumne is fortunate to have great stewards in the McDonnell Family, preserving the beauty and experience for future generations. This was my second trip with Sierra Mac and I look forward to bringing family and friends for years to come. Our guides - Jordan, Andrew and Jackson - were absolute legends. Not only were they technically excellent and deeply knowledgeable, but they seamlessly became part of our group's vibe. They struck the perfect balance of safety and stoke - reading the river like poetry, sharing stories and laughs, and keeping the energy high and adventure close! These gentlemen demonstrated an admirable commitment to their craft and always kept the guest experience at the forefront. The biggest surprise on your first trip with Sierra Mac will likely be the food; it will blow you away. Restaurant-quality food served in the middle of the wilderness added a layer of comfort (and really comfy chairs!). Big shout-out to Armando who preps all the meals for the guides to cook up on the trip. You may find yourself looking forward to the food as much as the rapids! If you're looking for a real adventure - one that is expertly guided, deeply human and absolutely unforgettable - go with Sierra Mac. You'll come for the rapids, but you'll leave with something much more. read more

Did the Cherry Creek rapids with guides Tom and Adam. Had an amazing time! These guys are absolute pros at navigating the river. Made the class V rapids feel safe and approachable. Definitely the ride of a lifetime. Also enjoyed a great breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Overall an awesome experience, highly recommend Sierra Mac and Cherry Creek! read more

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Sierra Mac is a family run business with skilled rafting guides--many with decades of experience rafting some of the craziest rivers in the world. After climbing and hiking in Yosemite for a few days, my brothers and I were looking for a water adventure and learned that Cherry Creek is a tributary of the Tuolumne River as well as one of the steepest commercially guided rivers in the country. Sierra Mac outfitted us with a PFD, wetsuit, and helmet, gave us a paddling refresher lesson and administered a swim test (yes, there is a swim test and yes the water is cold even in August--this adventure is not for the faint of heart!) We had a great time with our guide, Smiles, who expertly navigated us through 7 class fives (and many other serious rapids!) safely and without any involuntary swimming! No doubt it was the most intense 9 miles that I have ever spent on water, and nothing at this level is without risk, but the guides clearly train hard and know their stuff; Marty, the owner, has a long history with this unique river and the experience was nothing short of unforgettable. read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rapids are close together but there are a few chances to snap a picture of these amazing river features. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

WOW... SOOO Much fun! Sierra Mac ROCKS!!! Bodie and Brandon our guides were fantastic. Three of us did this river and LOVED it. I've never rafted the Tuolumne River and highly recommend it. Much better than the American. So many more rapids. Beautiful, fun, exciting (never felt unsafe) and worth every penny. Bodie and Brandon made the most exquisite lunch 1/2 down the river. You must do this. Great value for a Great experience on the River. read more

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I went on an overnight trip with my older kid. Our guides were Steven and Jackson and they were both great. Jackson is the experienced hand and is confidence inspiring on the oars. I do believe that he could figure out how to park a city bus in a compact parking spot. He knows the river and how big his boat is. Jackson was super friendly and has a great 'guide-side" manor and went out of the way to try and accommodate us. I also appreciate Tom realizing that it would save us two hours at the end of our trip if our car was shuttled down to the take out. Tom was also great in accommodating our ever changing schedule. The food was plentiful and of good quality. I have no complaints and would not even consider using another company should I chose to raft the T again. read more

Rafting the Tuolumne River with Sierra Mac was unforgettable! We had a group of 9 and they went a above and beyond to make it a FUN, safe experience. More than half of our group had never been white water rafting, so they made extra sure everyone understood what needed to happen and when. Huge shout out to our amazing and highly skilled guide, Brandon, plus Tom, Marty, Steven and Jordan! And great photos from Juan!! Would recommend this outfitter without hesitation! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Ready to raft the Tuolumne! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

Sierra Mac with guides Tom & Adam made the Cherry Creek 5+ paddle, the best adventure of my life! 10 STARS, EPIC, SPECTACULAR !!!!!!!!like riding a bucking bronco in a rodeo on the Cherry Creek/ Tuolumne rapids. Big drops, rushing rapids that you wouldn't want to swim through. Better be in top shape for this adventure of a lifetime! read more

What a trip! Team Sierra Mac knows how to run some rapids! Friend and I did the Cherry Creek with guide Adam who was amazing - knew every rock and eddy. And Tommy and the rest of the crew guided us through the gear we needed, warm ups and all the safety talks to get us ready, not to mention breakfast and lunch spreads that fueled us. Oh and the actual trip way exceeded even our lofty expectations - heart pounding, exhilarating, beautiful, etc - Cherry Creek did not disappoint. I can't recommend it enough. Hope to make it back soon. read more

The day long trip is not for beginners as advertised. The 3 mile walk to the launch is difficult with no shade and was not a good start to a long day. We encountered several horrifying Class IV rapids and our guide did not seem capable of navigating a boat full of people. My family were thrown overboard and submerged underwater in the rapids suffering trauma and multiple lactations on our bodies. I am thankful to be alive to even write this review. read more

My friend and I went rafting with Sierra Mac and had the best experience from the booking and accommodating us with special requests to the communication leading up to the day trip. Tom and his team were so friendly and well Prepared when we got there. Our guide Adam was so knowledgeable and a great guide since I had never been rafting. Lunch was great and all the other guides were so friendly as well. We had the best time with Adam and rafting on the river. They even has cold drinks for us when we got off the river and hot showers for us to use when we were done. I could not recommend this company more for a great rating experience. They provided top not service and were so accommodating. Thanks so much for the incredible rafting experience! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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Sierra Mac is a great company! Owners, Marty and Tom, are extremely knowledgeable and wonderful to work with. We can't wait to get back next season for another trip. We had 16 people in our group and all 4 River Guides were fantastic! Our guide, Danny, was a total professional, explained each rapid before hand and made us feel prepared and safe. We did an 18-mile trip down the Tuolumne River, which was beautiful and fun! The lunch was plentiful and had options for most food restrictions. There were clean showers after the trip. Highly recommend for a great day out on the water! read more

The best rafting trip ever! Everyone who works for Sierra Mac is at the top of their field. Marty is an absolute legend talk with him is like speaking to a wizard of raftin. Tom Adam and Juan know sooooooo much and have the perfect balance of fun and safety always in mind. I've never been more impressed with a crew or team in my lif. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND booking with Sierra Mac. I'll be back next year. read more

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Two days on the Tuolumne River filled the adventure bucket full. Danny guided the whole flotilla, and our paddle raft with expertise and a laugh. We felt safe, confident, and tossed between our comfort zone and the edge of our slippery seats. Lots of yelling and high-fives. Beautiful, unspoiled nature, and a fun group to soak it up with. Bring your favorite libation, and enjoy gourmet eating picnic style, while toasting conquering the rapids! Early August trip over cold, clear water in warm, dry air-You WANT to get soaked. read more

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Had an amazing two day trip! First day was the intense cherry creek section. Adam was our guide and he was unbelievably talented. He's been rafting the river since 1993, and it showed... We then camped overnight with Andrew and Brandon. Couldn't have asked for better dudes to hangout with. Made us fantastic meals, set up a great camp, and took us on a hike to a swimming hole. Next day Andrew and Brandon took us down the main Tuolumne, which was a little less intense but was also amazing in its own way. Lots of swimming, more fun rapids, and cliff jump. Highly recommend sierra mac to anyone wanting to go on a river rafting adventure. read more

I had the best time of my life on this class IV river adventure! Brandon was a stellar guide. He is an extraordinary storyteller who kept me engaged and intrigued whenever the river was calm for a second with his fascinating stories. He is wise beyond his years, very cool, wonderfully kind, and a highly skilled river guide. I never wanted to leave. Time of my life! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - April, Jenny, Tom, Brandon (guide) having a blast on the Tuolumne 7/18/22 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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Want an amazing experience that will profoundly improve your enjoyment of the here and now, and polish your outlook on life?...ride the "T" with Sierra Mac! We just did the 3 day excursion and it was life changing. Our guides, Ray and Jett expertly navigated the rapids, kept us safe, entertained, extremely well fed, and offered many things to do other than rafting to keep us active and enhance our appreciation for the gorgeous natural setting. read more

I've used Sierra Mac 2 years consecutively on the Tuolumne Main and Cherry Creek over night trips with my same group of family members and they consistently provide an exceptional adventure creating lasting memories. I would strongly recommend Sierra Mac to anyone interested in this experience read more

We recently went on the 2 night/3day Main Tuolumne river rafting trip. This is probably my 9th time rafting with Sierra Mac. Family owned and operated with an intense love of the river...which permeates through every employee. By far the most skilled guides on the river...both on the river and off. Food was excellent and the requested vegetarian fare was exactly what you'd want on a hot day of paddling. Thank you, Marty, Tom, Ray, Jet, Mike (and Hawley) for another memorable vacation. read more

Super knowledgeable and fun crew, top notch gear - these guys are awesome and we had a great trip down Cherry Creek. read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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Looking for an adventure that'll make your heart race and your spirit soar? Look no further than SierraMac River Rafting. These guys are the O.G.s of the river--guiding folks down the Tuolumne River from Yosemite for decades. True pro technical guides who navigate class 5 and 4 rapids while keeping you and your friends in the boat. Look no further. Booking with SierraMac River Rafting is a breeze, with lightning-fast communication (they answer the phone, imagine that) and armed with a wealth of information that will put your mind at ease even before your adventure begins. Everything was flawlessly executed, allowing us to focus solely on the fun and absorbing the epic environment. And the food? It's a far cry from your average camp chow, with delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options served on the shore of a roaring river. Whether you're bringing the family or flying solo, SierraMac turns a river trip into an unforgettable experience. Buckle up, because this is one adventure you won't want to miss. Laura Shirley/Los Angeles read more

We had a great time rafting with SierraMac. Our guide Adam was knowledgeable and made us feel safe while having fun. Our photographer was hilarious and the pictures turned out fabulous. Lunch riverside was delicious and laid out so expertly that I couldn't believe it. I highly recommend SierraMac! read more

Ran Cherry Creek and Tuolumne over night on Monday and Tuesday this week. I couldn't be happier!!! I've been a river guide for over 20yrs back on the east coast and they far exceeded my expectations!! The river was incredible, the scenery was spectacular , the food was fit for a king and the guides were 100% true professionals ,some of the best I've ever had the privilege to boat with. I highly recommend this out read more

Cherry Creek is the most difficult and exciting raft trip in North America. Sierra Mac is the right company to go with. The rapids are almost beyond belief, and the raft guides are the best and most experienced in the business. You must be in great physical condition to go: there is a solid swim test, and you have to be able to run uphill holding your breath. If you can do all that, don't miss Cherry Creek on the Tuolumne River next year. The season is over for 2023. Check out their website, or go to You Tube. read more

Had a great time on the river and our guide, Steven, was very engaging and fun to raft with. You can tell these guides are experienced and know what they are doing. Will definitely be coming back and booking Sierra Mac again! read more

Personally, I've been rafting for well over 30 years. I've rafted with multiple outfitters and on rivers to include everything from class III to V, from Cherry Creek and Forks of the Kern, to the Tuolumne, Merced, Goodwin Canyon and more. When Sierra Mac introduced that a Bluegrass band would actually be on the Tuolumne Rafting trip and perform at camp, I believe I was the very first to sign up. I absolutely was not disappointed. I would have to rank this trip as one of the best ever in my 30+ years of rafting. I had the pleasure of rafting in the boat with the band, many of whom was their first time rafting and fortunately they loved it and plan on doing a 2025 trip. It was absolute genius of Marty and Tom of Sierra Mac to book this trip with "Wild Iris", an amazing band of singers. Sierra Mac took the risk to raft down very expensive instruments, including a 6ft Bass, guitars, a banjo and fiddle to provide a show of a lifetime for those on the trip. I've already "begged" to be on the mailing list for 2025. Marty and Tom are going to need at least ten more rafts for that trip once word gets out :). read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Clavey Falls - Best Water Rollercoaster Ever! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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Jackson is legendary. couldn't have asked for. better tour guide. awesome experience. they care a lot about the entire experience.

We had so much fun rafting the Tuolumne River with Sierra Mac. Tom is a great guide and a super nice guy. Lunch was excellent. My wife is not a great swimmer and was nervous at first, but she had a great time and said she would do it again. read more

This is the second or third time we've rafted with Sierra Mac. We will again no doubt. This year we ran Cherry Creek which is no leisure cruise. Even though there were nerves, we felt completely safe and adequately prepared to conquer this section of the Tuolumne. How can you not - they were the first to run it. Tom was extremely helpful in booking via phone and text. The guides were all super knowledgeable in what seemed like every ripple of water along the way. Amazing day and a bucket list item checked off. Highly recommend camping at their HQ site the night before. Also - whoever gave that 1 star review below clearly lacks in interpersonal communication skills. No one at Sierra Mac has an attitude or ego. In fact, quite the opposite. read more

If I could give MORE than five stars I would! Sierra Mac provided an experience well beyond my expectations in every aspect. The guides were fun, knowledgeable, respectful and responsible. The meals were delicious and fresh. And the river was exciting and beautiful. I couldn't ask for any more. My dad, brother and I took a two day trip down the Tuolumne last weekend (June 2018). It was our first time rafting. Tripp, our guide, was amazing! He was very knowledgeable about the paths of the river, how to maneuver the raft, predicting what we would need or want, and could always make us laugh. Over the course of 18 miles he took us through dozens of rapids, cooked 4 meals, set up camp, kept our bags safe and dry, and taught us about the history of the river. Also a huge thanks to JR and Kyland who did a ton of work and made the trip smooth and fun! Overall I'm more than thankful to have gone on the river with Sierra Mac. Boys trip was a huge success, I have a ton of pictures and video to show off to my coworkers, and I feel much more connected with my family and nature. I will definitely be back with a big tip to my guides! read more

Sierra Mac River Trips - Raft on the Tuolumne! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Groveland, California

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I have been on many rafting trips and Sierra Mae was definitely the Best!! Very Professional, safe and wild! We cant wait till next year. read more

This was an incredible experience. It was our group's first time rafting and the team was informative and patient and it was clear from the beginning we were in good hands. Our guide Cory was funny and told us a lot of history of the area. It was great. My only suggestion would be to have better signage on the road. It wasn't clear that the location was actually Sierra Mac since the signs had a different name. Excellent experience. read more