White water rafting in Northern Califonia is for everyone and California is the place to go. Whitewater Rafting is safe and fun. Whether you bring your family on our Family Storytelling trips on the South Fork of American River or experience the adrenaline rush of the torrential Kaweah, Mariah has the river for you. ORGANIZE A GROUP from your office, school or church. Or come by yourself. Everyone is welcome!

California Whitewater rafting is a great outdoor vacation that combines fun, thrills, tranquility, wilderness exploration and the opportunity to discover your own soul. California has some of the finest rafting and family vacations in the nation, and a Mariah trip gives vacationers ages 7-87 the opportunity to experience a whitewater river adventure.

Enjoy the historic Gold Rush country while tasting local California wines, or visit Yosemite after rafting the Merced, one of the last free-flowing rivers in California, or the wild and wooly Tuolomne. The Kings and Kaweah River are close to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In spring the hillsides are covered with emerald green grass and brilliant wildflowers. In summer the weather is warmer, the hills golden and the water refreshing. Mariah's white water rafting is the perfect getaway!

Mariah's highly trained and experienced staff have a driving passion for the sport of whitewater rafting and want to share it with you. All are guides are certified in First Aid and in Swift water rescue. Some of our guides have been with us for over 18 years. We also offer our own Whitewater Rafting Guide School.

What River is right for me? Whether you are any experienced rafter or this is your first trip, you will have a great time with us. We offer various levels of rafting from the beginner to the expert. The standard river classification system grades the rivers going from the easiest to the most challenging conditions.

Try one river and you'll want to raft them all. Start out paddling the South Fork American. You could raft everyday on the same river and the water conditions would be different. Raft California rivers every year. Each trip will be as much fun as the first one. Keep building up your paddle arm and whitewater experience to work your way up to the Kaweah.

Class I:
Moving water with small waves and no obstacles. All the rivers we run have some class I and II rapids.
Class II:
Moderately moving water with gentle waves. Obstacles such as rocks and changes in river gradients are easy to maneuver through and around. Ideal for children ages 4 and up. All the rivers we run have some class I and II rapids.
Class III:
Moderate whitewater. Exciting but not difficult. Waves are numerous. Obstacles require precise maneuvering around. Ideal for the first time adult rafter and children age seven and up. South Fork American, and the Kings River are good examples of class III Rivers.
Class IV:
High volume whitewater that requires technical maneuvering. Helmets are often required. Some rafting experience helpful. For ages fourteen and up. The Merced, Middle Fork American, Tuolumne, and North Fork American are good examples of Class IV rivers.
Class V:
Maximum intensity whitewater; riverbed extremely obstructed, big drops and violent current. Very steep gradient. Experience on a Class IV River and good physical condition is important. For ages 14 and up. The Kaweah is a great Class IV river.
Class VI:
Unrunnable (except in the movies.)

How do I get started?
From your first call or email to our office staff to rafting with our experience river guides, and talking with our camp store employees, shuttle drivers, manager and owners, you'll find a team of people dedicated to making your visit a experience you'll never forget. We have a beautiful campground, and excellent food. We even have hot water showers. "Rough it" in luxury. Personal service in splendid settings-what more could you want? Northern California white water rafting and its best.
1 800-4-MARIAH (62-7424)