North Fork Stanislaus

INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED - CLASS IV+

Explore North Fork Stanislaus Rafting Trips

Typical Season: April - May. More

A well kept secret, the North Fork of the Stanislaus River features exciting Class IV+ rapids in a high elevation alpine scenery and close proximity to groves of Giant Sequoia Redwoods. This river is best suited for athletic and adventurous rafters as intense and technical paddling is required.

Difficulty & Scenery

  • Intermediate-Advanced Class IV+
  • Steep, constricted drops
  • Amazing forested canyon

Who Should Go

  • Experienced rafters
  • People who like complicated whitewater
  • Usual min. age: 15

Trips Include

  • Pro guide & instruction
  • Equipment & shuttle
  • Fresh, delicious lunch

Trip Planning



North Fork Stanislaus 1-Day Rafting Trip Options

Intricate, intense rapids in a scenic high-elevation canyon located in Stanislaus National Forest and Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Steep, narrow Class IV rapids all day long, with two Class IV+ drops at the end
5 intense miles
Lunch included

North Fork Stanislaus
1-Day Trip Pricing

$224 All Departures

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Cancellation Policy

Sample Itinerary

  • Meet in the morning, outside Arnold
  • Sign-in, shuttle, instruction
  • Class IV rapids
  • Riverside lunch
  • Class IV+ rapids
  • Take-out, shuttle
  • Trip ends early to mid-afternoon

Less than a minute from put-in, you'll crash through Class IV Beginner's Luck which is an immense staircase of drops, descending a total of 15-feet. After that wake-up call, the whitewater keeps coming in tight chutes and boulder-choked passageways like The Claw and Wallet Slot.

When the mood strikes, we'll stop for lunch on a forested riverside bank. Back on the water, there are still many Class III-IV challenges waiting downstream. The final rapid is Sequoia Sluice, and because it's one of the biggest rapids, it serves as an appropriate climax to an intense day of rafting.

The itinerary above may be altered due to a range of variables, including river flow levels, time of year, and other factors. Contact us if you have any questions.

North Fork Stanislaus River Rafting Map

More About the North Fork Stanislaus

The rapids: Steep and Narrow

THE RAPIDS:
Steep and narrow Class IV+ to challenge your skills

The North Stanislaus' steep gradient (70' per mile) creates many stair-stepping drops and tumultuous twists and turns. You'll become an expert paddler, maneuvering through the river's speeding currents and tight chutes. And because All-Outdoors is one of the few outfitters permitted by the USFS to offer trips on the North Stanislaus, you will most likely have the river to yourself.

The river scenery: Immense pine forests and crystal-clear waters

THE RIVER SCENERY:
Immense and peaceful pine forests; crystal-clear water

The North Stanislaus canyon is part of what makes this trip one of our most unique. It begins at a high elevation--over 4000-feet in Stanislaus National Forest amidst towering pine and fir trees. The waterway itself is narrow and small, instilling the feel of an intimate mountain stream. Dogwood and wild azalea pepper the riverbanks. Halfway down this intense run we enter Calaveras Big Trees State Park which is home to the largest living trees on earth, the Giant Sequoia Redwoods.

Located in Calaveras Big Trees State Park

LOCATION:
Flows through Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Just two and a half hours from Sacramento and three and a half hours from San Francisco, the North Stanislaus is close to many metropolitan areas. The small town of Angels Camp is a short half-hour drive. Nearby highways include 108, 4, 49, and 395.


 
The North Fork Stanislaus Rafting Season

TYPICAL RAFTING SEASON:
April - May*

The North Stanislaus is an early springtime river. Even though there is one dam above this run, the river depends on snowmelt below the dam for its flows. The North Stanislaus begins to run when the snow below 6,000' begins to melt after winter. Flows are usually best from early or mid-April to mid-May. Even though its season is limited to just four to six weeks, avid rafters should make every effort to experience this unique run at least once.

* Season length and flows may vary. For this year's flow predictions and real-time water levels go to the River Flows page.

Meals: Freshly prepared riverside feasts

MEALS:
Freshly prepared riverside feasts

We provide a gourmet "build-your-own" sandwich lunch that includes all the fixings you’ll need to assemble the perfect sandwich along with kettle style potato chips, dried fruit, and chocolate. Enjoy your relaxing, riverside meal before heading back out on the water for more adventure.

If you have special dietary requirements, we encourage you to tell us at the time of your reservation so we can discuss options.

How You Participate in Rafting the River

GUEST INVOLVEMENT:
How You Participate in Rafting the River

All-Outdoors runs paddle raft trips on the North Stanislaus. In a paddle raft, each guest and a professional guide have a paddle and navigate the river working as a coordinated team. North Stanislaus trips are intense and highly participatory so guests need to be ready and willing to paddle. In times of extreme high water, we may elect to use oar-paddle combination rafts (a professional guide steers the boat with oars while simultaneously calling commands to paddlers in the boat). All guests should be able to swim.

Highly Recommended with Great Reviews

All-Outdoors is the most recommended whitewater rafting outfitter in California. See for yourself:

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AWESOME!!

"Everything was phenomenal from the customer service to the lunch to the amazing guides and omg were the rapids great! An experience to remember for sure. I already can't wait to go back!"

Elise from Brentwood, CA

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Deals & Discounts

Start here to find the best possible deal for your next California whitewater rafting adventure. Please note that only one discount can be applied per person and must be mentioned at the time of reservation.

Group Discount

There are a variety of discounts for group rafting trips. All types of groups are welcome!

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Youth Discount

Youth 17 years or younger receive a 10% discount on any trip on any date!


Frequent Floater Program ®

You earn a FREE day of rafting with our exclusive Frequent Floater Program!®


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Group Rafting Trips on the North Fork Stanislaus River

We Can Accommodate Groups as Large as 48 People

One of our specialties is creating fun and memorable whitewater rafting trips for small or large groups.

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