American River

Water type: River
Continent: North America
Climates: Mountain, Temperate

Largest tributaries

Artificial lakes

The American River (Spanish: Río de los Americanos) is a 50 km (30 miles) long river in California that runs from the Sierra Nevada mountain range to its confluence with the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento. The American River is utilized for various recreational activities. Locals and travelers alike use the river\’s scenic landscape for bird watching, hiking, biking, fishing, river rafting, kayaking, and more. The American River is a clean, biodiverse river where people can safely swim and engage in other recreational activities.

The American River is particularly known for its whitewater rafting. The South Fork has Class III rapids, the Middle Fork has Class IV rapids, and the North Fork has Class IV spring runoff rapids. All three forks also feature Class II sections. The areas with rapids still offer scenic views and wildlife, making it the most popular whitewater rafting location in California.