Came for my third visit during a dry spell in January. Very nice! So green and cool. Did the…read moreDown and Up trail. Came in the afternoon on a Saturday. I thought the parking lot would be full, but there were som spots.

Family-friendly hiking trail! It's quite an easy 4-mile loop to the river. You see a lot of people…read morehorseback riding, walking their dogs and families having a leisurely time. It was a chilly day but it was a clean trail, not too muddy, next to a stream the entire way down to the river! The parking is also clean and has bathrooms close by.

We camped at the American River Resort and took part in the river rafting. It's $120/person for 4…read morehours session. The first two hours were kind of boring, we were just floating around the river, the last 45 minutes were really fun with lot of adrenaline. Our captain Luke from South Africa was fun and he even brought his speaker to entertain us with songs. The pictures taken by the prof were amazing, we're having fun.

It needs new management. We ask them , prior to paying for…read more2 days , if they had a swimming pool for the 3 kids that we had with us , and they said "YES", then after we set up our trailer we all went to the pool and they said that it's closed for the season , so we asked for our money back so that we could move to a place with a pool and they said , "NO REFUNDS", even though we had only been there for 2 hours. Also , the spots are small , poorly equipped and mosquito infested. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

It was amazing, thrilling, safe, and never a dull moment!! Best experience ever! Micheal was a…read moregreat tour guide and kept us safe the entire time.

Everything went very well and exceeded our expectations!!…read more Early on and well in advance obtaining pertinent information for planning by phone and email, Greg was so detailed and patient answering all the questions. Finalizing our plans we worked with Rebekah and she was very kind and diligent and reassuring. The tent cabin by the river was a beautiful spot and loved waking up hearing the river. It was a very hot day and the it cooled off which was great. Clean bathroom and showers, running hot water a plus. They have volley ball, corn hole, zip line and rock climbing wall. Overall, beautiful campsite and we can't wait to return. Rafting was amazing, Aubrey and Maggie were the guides for our group and they made our experience so fun! We always felt safe and well informed. We all were first time rafters, great experience and soooooo much fun!!! I highly recommend Mother Lode for your one stop shop!!

We had an amazing experience on the south fork of the American river. Our guide was knowledgeable…read moreand friendly, the weather was beautiful, and the river itself is gorgeous. They do a very good job of organizing the day, with a lunch spread that is surprisingly edible. I loved being able to swim a bit in the river, and wish there was more time to do that. The rafting itself was fun, the class 3 rapids were exciting and our group managed to not fall out of the raft due to the expert navigation of our guide. I am looking forward to going back and experiencing some class 4 rapids.

My family of 3 booked a 2-day South Fork trip and it was absolutely fantastic. Alec, our guide, was…read moreinformative, professional, personable, friendly, and lots of fun. He had lots of knowledge about the California gold rush and it was nice to learn about it as an adult who didn't grow up in CA (I'm sure my 12yo loved learning about it too). While we camped at Earthtrek, it was super helpful that our trip included breakfast, 2 lunches (one lunch mid-rafting trip), and dinner. All meals were delicious and it was nice that there were gluten free options. The OARS site is spacious, with clean facilities, and a small shop for items. Now on to the rafting experience! For some background, my husband was the only one who had ever done it so my kiddo and I were newbies. Along with another kiddo and adult, we rafted through class 1-3 rapids and I never felt that we were not safe (despite me being the weakest swimmer in the family). Alec was truly a guide in every sense of the word. He prepped us before taking on the rapids - gave us the route we would take, what to expect in terms of how we were to paddle and what we had to do. We played some fun boat games and spent some time floating in the river which my husband and son loved. Also included were the always fun brain teaser riddles that had all of us entertained during the floating portions of our trip. After completing the class 3 rapids and all staying in the raft, we felt on top of the world and wanted to do more! If you have ever thought about trying white water rafting, do it - you won't regret it! It's truly an experience and a great time in nature with the family. OARS is a professional and inclusive company, with great guides!

I'm so glad I found H20 Adventures! We had so much fun on the half day South Fork lower gorge run…read more This is rated class 2/3 and perfect for the beginner like myself. I was really nervous at first and honestly wanted lazy river rafting with zero rapids, but after the experience with H20, I'm excited to plan another trip with them. The scenery was amazing, the late March weather was warm and as expected freezing water. We were provided with helmets, wetsuits, and splash jackets, this kept us warm and comfortable. You should bring water bottles and sunblock on the raft. Your other belongings are safely locked up prior to launch. You can also bring waterproof cameras or phones, be sure they are securely strapped to you (like chest or wrist strap, or helmet mount) they do have a professional cameraman kayaker Kevin taking amazing shots along the way so don't worry about not bringing your own camera. Nico, our tour guide was skilled, knowledgeable, and entertaining, and incredibly nice. We also had the opportunity to interact with the other tour guides Kyla and Martina who led the other two rafts on our 3 craft convoy down the river. If you are looking for something to do with your family this summer, I highly recommend H20. Get your reservations asap.

Went on a late April trip on the Yuba river and had a great time! Devin was an amazing raft guide…read moreand it was cool listening to him talk about the area and how to navigate each part of the river. The whole staff is really fun to be around and good at what they do would definitely recommend them and the Yuba trip

Good shit. Awesome…read moreguides, thrilling rapids, and stunning views. An unforgettable adventure! ‍

WOW WOW WOW. There are not enough ways to express how awesome this entire trip was. Audrey (the…read moreguide who's raft I stayed on), Dustin (the Team Leader), Mcclure, and Roman will forever get my praise for how they exceeded my expectations. This was my first time going both whitewater rafting and camping, and the entire time I felt taken care of, safe, and catered to in ways I hadn't even expected. I don't know how many times I shouted "Team Audrey!" as she expertly navigated difficult rapids. Roman was the guide responsible for riding ahead of us with all our cargo and setting up camp, and every time I was more and more impressed with the breathtaking set up he did with all of our tents, eating areas, and shaded spots. Dustin was a worthy team leader who made sure our trip went smoothly and on time, and was awesome to talk to and joke around with. And McClure was a thorough teacher and guide who is clearly passionate about what he does! I've noticed some reviews of people complaining about things out of Tributary's control like the bathroom quality or the heat or the other parties that would camp nearby. And even though that is technically not Tributary's juriscdiction, I still felt as if the four guides with us did everything they could to anticipate these problems and lessen their impact on our trip. Like they had a handwashing station for us, and had plenty of shaded areas for us to rest in. Not to mention they really took care of the quality of food we ate, giving gluten free and healthy options as well as snacks and drinks for us. Audrey, Dustin, Roman, and Mcclure. You four have a forever client in me. It is because of you guys I have such memorable stories that I will be telling until I am old. I can not thank you guys enough.

I recently went white water rafting, and it was honestly one of the most exciting and refreshing…read moreexperiences I've ever had. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and safe, giving clear instructions and making sure everyone was comfortable before heading out. Once we hit the water, the adventure really began. The rapids were the perfect mix of thrilling and fun--enough to get your adrenaline pumping without feeling overwhelming. Our guide was fantastic, keeping the energy high with jokes and encouragement while also navigating us smoothly through every twist and turn. What made the experience even better was the scenery. Being surrounded by nature, with beautiful views of the river and lush landscape, added a peaceful balance to the excitement of the rapids. There were even a few calmer stretches where we could relax, take in the views, and enjoy the moment. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a mix of adventure, teamwork, and natural beauty. I can't wait to go again!

It was a amazing trip. Noelle did an amazing job, keeping everyone organizing and safe. She is an…read moreexcellent guide, knew the Waters really well.

Sometimes you have an experience that you know will stick with you for the rest of your life. This…read morewas one of those times. We did a two day south fork trip, with a stop for the night on the river bank. Our guide Cryin' Bryan(just kidding Brian!!) and bonus gear guy Gator, were absolutely amazing. The were kind, helpful, had the best stories and cooked the best food. We did 21 miles of river over two days and it was unbelievable. Things we learned on this trip... -Gator taught me how to make a camping mocha(more like chocolate coffee when I made it!) with instant cocoa mix, coffee, creamer and water. -A tortilla wrap with PB&J and trail mix is the thing of dreams. -The front right seat of the raft is the 'hot' seat(or wet seat) and you will get hammered repeatedly. Haha. -Camping on the side of the river is magic. Pure. Magic. -Hospital bar has its name for a reason. -Composting toilets in the woods smell like a gerbil cage. -Brian's love of Star Wars and pineapple fried rice lead me to believe we could be real life friends. -You can make lifelong friends out of strangers you meet on a rafting trip. The meals they provided were amazing. Well beyond normal camping fare. For sure a perk with the trip. With things like chicken salad pitas, pancakes, sandwich wraps and fajitas, we were never hungry. We upgraded to the canvas tent they have at the campground for the first night and it was wonderful. The little front porch and getting to hear the river while we slept was magic. The newly upgraded bathrooms were probably the nicest I've seen at a rustic camp ground. The shower stalls are outside, but each one has a locking door with the shower stall and a little changing area with hooks and a bench(and the rain shower heads were great, but know the water pressure isn't the hardest, but not the worst either). When the 'Boss Man' picked us up from the river on the last day, it was really neat to get to chat with him. He asked for anything we think would add to the trip, and the only thing we can think of would be to bring along a yard game for the overnight trips, like ladder-ball or something for on the river. But there is absolutely nothing we would change. Enjoy my million pictures. I really couldn't pick and choose what to show, so I showed it all! We can't wait to go back!!

We enjoyed the half day class II-III+ trip. Everything went smoothly from start to end. There were…read morechill about people being late: I think they might leave a buffer because people are always a bit late. I really appreciated they had a page linked after you book of all the things to know before the trip. Getting ready was smooth, and the guide was helpful on the way with paddling instructions and questions. We dropped into the water at two points and also got to switch seats so everyone tried being at the front. The water is extremely cold. There are two photo spots where they took pictures you can purchase. Lastly the bus to get back went great, but they kind of left us alone right after we got back to camp, even though we had some questions and were going to leave a tip (we left our wallets in the cars).

You 100% must take a lesson from here. If you have never taken a lesson you should. You never know…read morewhat you will learn. I had an amazing 4 days of instruction with Jason and Dom. They were very good at teaching the fundamentals and breaking it down to understand each movement on the river. I will definitely be taking ALOT more classes with current adventures! AMAZING!

I did Current Adventures' Accelerated Beginner Camp program last year, and had a truly amazing…read moreexperience. My instructor, Jason, was incredibly patient and effective. I felt 100% safe with him at all times, and by the end of the 4 days, I was kayaking confidently in what felt like huge rapids. They even spent some time teaching us the sweep roll, which I managed to pull off a few times, though never in a rapid. Next time! I HIGHLY recommend this business. Dan and his team all clearly love what they do, and it shows. Thank you Jason, Dan, and the CA team!

Had an absolute blast with Whitewater Connection for our trip down the South Fork!…read more Parking is $2 for the day, cash only. Drive straight until you see someone who will take the cash and point you to where you should park. The day started out with lunch, which was burgers and hot dogs cooked backyard barbecue style. Other toppings were provided, and I thought it tasted simple but great! (Was expecting plain old possibly stale sandwiches.) We were scheduled to embark at 12:15, but due to CHP closing the bus route, many guides from the last trip were not able to make it back on time. I didn't have my phone or watch on me, but I think we ended up leaving around 1:00. Ann kept us updated the entire time, while scrambling to make the best out of a messy situation. Our boat guide was Gonzo, and he did a fantastic job! The entire trip was fun, and he would often advise us when we could go out into the water for a swim, or sit at the front edge of the raft at a rapid to get the full experience (some rapids are more shallow, for example, so sitting there can result in falling out of the raft and cutting yourself on rocks). Very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Total trip time on the river was 3 hours, 45 minutes, plus about a 15~20 minutes ride down to the buses (a boat is pulling you along, so you can sit/lay in your boat and relax). Then about a 25 minute bus ride back to the parking spot. On the bus ride back, one of the tires fell off. Ann told us that they just changed the wheels the week before (in a lighthearted manner)! We ended up stranded for about 30 minutes, but Ann again patiently went about finding a solution. A kind lady drove a back-up bus to come pick us up, and she and Ann kept us entertained and engaged with facts and jokes the entire time! Overall, the transportation on this day was not in our favor. It was not Whitewater Connection's fault at all! However, Ann decided that since we had been through so many delays that day, all of the groups on this trip would get free photos. I thought it was an extremely kind gesture! Her demeanor and attitude in the face of issues tells a lot about how much she cares about her clients. We ended up receiving a link to download the photos the same day, despite having such a long day. Overall, I would highly recommend a trip with Whitewater Connection. The customer service does not fail to impress, and the guides are all knowledgeable and have the right personality to make the trip fun! Shout out to Ann and Gonzo (and the kind lady who drove the back-up bus...my memory is failing me here) - cheers! BRING / DO NOT BRING: - Lots of sunscreen - Water shoes (they also sell some for $15 at the site, which is reasonable) with socks - Tennis shoes w/o socks worked perfectly for me as well - No shirt (guys) - I had no issues with the life jacket scratching me! - Cheap sunglasses (so you don't have to be afraid of doing the fun parts!) - Bathing suit for guys, probably shorts for girls - Change of clothes, or at least shoes for the drive back home

I was in a vehicle behind Whitewater Connection bus and it was emitting a lot of filthy diesel…read moresmoke. Not only that, the driver was not pulling over to let the line of cars behind it go ahead even when there were many big and wide pullovers. I won't go rafting with them nor recommend them to my friends. Picture was taken July 25, 9am towards Chili Bar put-in. Their drivers consistently lacking driving etiquette that I decided to post this review.