Rafting the Upper Sacramento River

Difficulty: Class II to III

Season: March – June

With its headwaters beginning near 14,162 ft majestic Mount Shasta, the Upper Sacramento River is one of those river gems that offers roller coaster waves, beautiful side creeks, deep green pools, moss covered cliffs, and cascading water falls set in a lush river canyon.

There are nearly 38 rapids in the 8.25 mile half-day stretch and 52 rapids in the full-day 12.5 mile stretch. With rapids like Wakeup, Sluice Box, Little Freight Train, Champaign, Tree, Upper Shotgun Creek, Drop Kick, Dance Hall, Hockey Shot, Sixteen Tons, Wash Board, The Grotto, Eye of the Needle, The Alley, Gibson Curve, Pin Ball, Zig Zag, Snaggle Tooth, Falls Creek, Lickety Split, Double Play, Slate Creek, White Horse, Black Stallion, Washing Machine, and the infamous Rinse Cycle, there is little time for boaters to get bored on this fast-paced river. Between the nearly nonstop rapids, boaters will have time to appreciate the beauty this river canyon has to offer. This is a must-do stretch of river on California’s longest river system and one that you will want to do over and over again.