North Fork of Middle Fork American River

Foresthill, California

California

Free — you'll pick up right here.

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Tahoe National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

1.2 mi run
Flows year-round
81 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
81 cfs
Average current
1.4 ft/s
Gradient
445.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
22 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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North Fork of Middle Fork American River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

North Fork of Middle Fork American River is a 1.2-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 81 cfs and a gradient of about 445.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Bear RiverPhoto: Nick Ares, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bear River

~26 min drive

Bear River is a 25-mile paddling stretch near Dutch Flat, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 578 cfs and a gradient of about 103.8 feet per mile.

French Meadows Boating Site

~15 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Euchre Bar Trailhead

~19 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

North Fork American RiverPhoto: Moiseiko, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Fork American River

~26 min drive

North Fork American River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 179 cfs and a gradient of about 317.5 feet per mile.

McGuire Boat Ramp

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

South Yuba RiverPhoto: J.smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Yuba River

~30 min drive

South Yuba River is a 38-mile paddling stretch near Nevada City, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 1,222 cfs and a gradient of about 100.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Hell Hole Boat Ramp

~18 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

North Fork North Fork American River

~18 min drive

North Fork North Fork American River is a 17-mile paddling stretch near Emigrant Gap, California. It is ephemeral and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 207 cfs and a gradient of about 253.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Sugar Pine Boat Ramp

~18 min drive

Sugar Pine Boat Ramp is a boat launch in California.

Big Granite Creek

~19 min drive

Big Granite Creek is a 6.5-mile paddling stretch near Soda Springs, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 72 cfs and a gradient of about 542.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Foresthilloffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Obexer's Boat Company

Kayaking business nearby (~24 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Truckee River Rafting

Kayaking business nearby (~24 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

West Shore Sports

Kayaking business nearby (~26 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator