The National Rivers Website, Rivers of California:

Overview of rivers in California

Despite a high population of people and dams, California still features some fantastic canoeing and fishing. The Kern River, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a classic whitewater river that lets you warm up on class II stuff before throwing you, if you choose, into spin cycle class V or VI water.

At the other end of the state flows the Trinity. Tailings, remnants of the last century's goldmining, line some areas of the riverbanks, though the dredging of the riverbed itself left a more lasting impression on the landscape. Still, the area is still relatively wild and untouched in recent times, especially at its lower end, where the rapids hover between class II and III+ and the camping is good.

Children paddling with their parents will do well on the Lower American River below Nimbus Dam. Though the current can be swift in areas it is flat, with the exception of a couple of class II rapids, and because this section of the river flows right through Sacramento, it doesn't require a long journey by car.

Or drop everything and get away from it all on the Lower Klamath, where taking a break from the class III rapids may mean sighting a bear, an otter, or a bald eagle.

The Tuolumne, not too far from the west entrance to Yosemite, has some fantastic whitewater that should only be run by experienced paddlers, but its popularity indicates its wild rides. You can mix your gold rush and Indian history with class IV, or skip the scenery and bet it all on the class V obstacle course of the Cherry Creek/Upper Tuolumne, because with the water you find here, you won't be looking anywhere but at the river.

The National Rivers Website and the Rivers of California section are made possible by the generosity of the members of the National Organization for Rivers (NORS.) To start or extend your membership, go to NORS Memberships.

The National Rivers Website is part of Adventure Sports Online.