Mother Lode River Center

Mother Lode River Center offers guided whitewater rafting on the American River, including Gorge Run, Gorge Value, Chili Bar Run, Family Float Trip, South Fork 2-Day, Middle Fork, North Fork, and combo trips. It also offers a ropes course and zipline program with low and high elements, outdoor education programs for school field trips and class retreats, guide school, swiftwater rescue, and camping with tent camping and canvas cabin tent options.

Programs

• Whitewater Rafting — Guided whitewater rafting on the American River; includes trips such as Gorge Run, Gorge Value, Chili Bar Run, Family Float Trip, South Fork 2-Day, Middle Fork, North Fork, and combo trips.
• Ropes Course & Zipline — Challenge ropes course and zipline program with low and high elements; described as supporting team building and leadership.
• Outdoor Education — Hands-on learning programs for school field trips and class retreats.
• Guide School — $750 per session · Spring Session and Summer Session are listed at $750/person; Swiftwater Rescue is listed separately.
• Swiftwater Rescue — $275 per session · $275/person; technician certification with Sierra Rescue estimated at about $275 over 2 days.
• Camping — Tent camping and canvas cabin tent options are listed; camping fee is $22/person per night.

At a glance

• Price range: $275–$750 per session

About the provider

Since founding in 1974, Mother Lode River Center says it has safely guided over 300,000 guests down 3 million river miles and has more than 50 years of experience. It says its mission is to share its love of California’s rivers and help protect these sacred places for future generations. It also says it has one of the best safety records in the industry, that its guide training set new standards, and that it was chosen as “River Heroes” by Friends of the River. The organization says over 30,000 guests have volunteered to write letters in defense of 15 California rivers, including the North, South and Middle Forks of the American, Tuolumne, Merced, Kings, Kern, Cache Creek, and the Mokelumne River.

The site says it is the only outfitter offering whitewater rafting, challenge ropes course/teambuilding, zipline, outdoor education, and guide instruction for all ages. It also says programs can be customized and that the ropes course offers half-day to multiple-day programs.

Last updated October 14, 2026.