California White Water Rafting Trips:
Yuba River near Lake Tahoe - Undiscovered Secrets

Lower North Yuba River - Maytag Whirl
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class III-IV)

The North Yuba cascades down from Yuba Pass high in Tahoe National Forest to channel into a narrow canyon of pounding rapids and great natural beauty. The steep canyon walls are adonerd by lush, scented conifer forests, while willow, sycamore and alder line the beautiful river banks.

Experienced rafters and adventurous first-timers alike can try their skills on the dashing, nearly continuous whitewater of the Lower North Yuba's Goodyears Bar Run, which is a substantial step up from the South Fork American.

A special Class V cataract called "Maytag" - just upstream from Fiddle Creek - is a spectacular feature of this run. You might choose to walk around it!

The Lower North Yuba River is rated Class III-IV. We put in at Goodyear's Bar and raft to Fiddle Creek.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

9 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop rapids!

Lower North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(Lower North Yuba River - 1 Day Maytag Whirl):

1. A great river to try as you rev up to become a Class V paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. Maytag!

Upper North Yuba River - Class V Alive
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class V)

This is a great and challenging one day Class V trip. Whipped foamy white, the Upper North Yuba, from Union Flat to Goodyears Bar, wails down a tight riverbed of high drops and precipitous boulder gardens.

Highlights include the wild tumult of Moss Canyon and the Class V rigors of Rosassco Ravine just above Goodyears Bar. Depending on water levels, we sometimes vary the itinerary of these trips by doing Moss Canyon and Rosasscos Ravine twice, or other options, including moving upstream to the Class V Wild Plum run.

An excellent Class V rated 1-day trip for fit, veteran paddlers. Paddlers must have prior Class IV paddling experience and complete the Class V Warm-Up.

Upper North Yuba River Rapids: We raft the Union Flat Run on the Upper North Yuba. Memorable rapids include Moss Canyon and Rossasscos Ravine.

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

8-10 River Miles of non-stop "classic California" pool and drop class V rapids!

Upper North Yuba River Trip Stats:

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip
(Upper North Yuba River - 1 Day Class V Alive):

1. A great first Class V river for the intrepid paddler!
2. Lake Tahoe in the summer is B-eee-uuu-tiful!
3. An easy drive from either San Francisco or Sacramento
4. Tie in a visit to Downieville and go mountain biking
5. Boss Moss in the Moss Canyon section!

2012 Start dates:

May through JuneWe are able to start North Yuba River trips daily from May through June and possibly later (flows permitting), especially in years where we've had a good winter snowpack.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

Subject to a 3% River and Land Use Fee.

To check availability and / or make your reservation, either call our friendly and helpful staff at 800-400-7238
or Use our new On-line Reservation System

More Helpful Information about
White Water Rafting on the Yuba River

For all of the instructions on rendezvous locations, what to bring, where to stay, and
everything else you need to know, please click to download our
Yuba River Rafting Rendezvous Information

Yuba River Area Links:

• Sierra Retreats Vacation Rentals
  Accommodation for before or after your trip on the Yuba River.
• Red Castle Inn
  An invitation to turn back time... in California's Gold Country at the award winning Nevada City Bed and Breakfast... the only authentically preserved historic lodging landmark mansion in Nevada City!
• Riverside Inn
• Sierra Shangri-La
• Downieville Carriage House Inn

Yuba River Flow:

The Yuba River flow comes from Sierra snowmelt during spring. Ideal flows are from 1000 to 2000 CFS, though we can run trips down to 800 and up to 4,000 CFS.

For detailed flow information click here.