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Best White Water Rafting Near Sacramento

There's nothing more exciting than riding over rushing whitewater, feeling sprays of freshwater on your face while navigating turbulent whirl pools of awesomeness. Take the time to get out on the whitewaters near the River City and experience the trip of a lifetime at these water rafting spots near town.

All-Outdoors Rafting
1026 Lotus Road
Lotus, CA 95651
(800) 247-2387
www.aorafting.com

Despite the drought, the flows on the south fork of the American River are in full swing. You heard that right, whereas the mega reservoirs are in trouble, the releases from the higher elevation reservoirs behind the rivers have been unrattled. These rivers include the south, middle, and north forks of the American, as well as the Merced, Tuolomne, North Stanislaus, Kaweah, Goodwin Canyon and Cherry Creek.

Beyond-Limits Adventures
7321 River Park Drive
Lotus, CA 95651
(800) 234-7238
www.rivertrip.com

Get out on the South Fork of the American River known for its thrills and plunges one of the only rivers in California which has regular water released throughout the summer. "Beyond-Limits Adventures is a family owned company with more than 30 years of experience," says Emily Doyle, "and the guides bring out all the stops to ensure you a trip of a lifetime." Opt for the all-inclusive two-day trip which includes river front camping sites, private sandy beaches, fishing, gold panning, cold beer for the adults and buffet meals prepared by staff. The minimum age for rafters is seven years old and large youth groups are welcome here, too. Beyond-Limits  also runs the class 4 Middle Fork American throughout the summer as well.

Related:Best Day Trips From Sacramento

Tributary Whitewater Tours
6400 Highway 49
Lotus, CA 95651
(800) 672-3846
www.whitewatertours.com

Tributary Whitewater Tours offer scenic river rafting trips for family vacations. As Business Manager Lorraine Hall says, "there's something for everyone here on 18 rivers." Many trips are suited for kids four years old and up, so no need to worry about the waters being too rough! Breathe in the excitement of the Truckee, Lower Klamath and Trinity rivers to extreme class 5 on the North Yuba, Burnt Ranch Gorge and Cal Salmon and Scott Rivers. If you're looking to make a longer vacation out of it, choose a rafting trip close to great vacation area like Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sacramento or San Francisco.

Whitewater Adventures
1955 Railroad Drive
Sacramento, CA 95815
(800) 977-4837
www.gotwhitewater.com

One-day trips with lunch on the beautiful Cache Creek and Upper Cache Canyon; and two day trips with riverside camping, a great dinner and a movie under the stars are what's offered with Whitewater Adventures. But perhaps the greatest indicator of what you can expect on an overnight trip with Whitewater Adventures is given away on the suggested packing list, which includes items such as white clothing for 100,000 watt black light disco party and "loud Hawaiian attire" for a dinner feast. Whitewater Adventure's motto is: "Leave behind footprints, and take only photos," and you'll have plenty of amazing memories to take with you, too.

Zephyr Whitewater Rafting
22517 Parrots Ferry Road
Columbia, CA 95310
(209) 532-6249
www.zrafting.com

Claim one of these six great rivers that traverse the great central valley; ride down the slopes of the Sierra foothills and above and below Yosemite National Park. Combine your itinerary with an actual visit to the park on the Merced River or see how close you are to Lake Tahoe. The Yosemite trip takes in some of the greatest relief of elevation and drops in the world! Take a day hike to famous landscapes such as Glacier Point, Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon. If you're free for a weekday rafting trip, take advantage of the family special where kids get 35 percent off Kings river trips.

Related: America's Best Whitewater Rafting Destinations

Karen Hansen M.S. Earth Sciences, has been writing about earth and the environmental sciences for Examiner.com since May of 2010 in addition to having been an educator and consultant who has facilitated over 200 courses for a private university. Karen loves to learn and write about clean disruptive technology and policies and the people on the planet too. She lives and works in Sacramento, CA. You can find her work at SF Solar Energy Examiner, SF Environmental News Examiner and Environmental News Examiner 
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