6. Route 193 to Coloma

The Chili Bar run is one of California's most popular whitewater stretches, attracting boaters from across the region and offering thrilling guided raft trips. From the Chili Bar put-in, the river flows through a remote canyon with high-quality whitewater, classic rapids, excellent play spots, and scenic views. Thanks to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) hydropower operations, the river has dependable flows through much of the year, with releases from the Chili Bar Powerhouse providing boating flows from 9 a.m. to noon most days during spring and summer, and on most weekends for the rest of the year. While the river can get crowded on summer weekends, early mornings and later afternoons, particularly on weekdays, offer a quieter experience. At standard release levels, the river runs class II/III with two class III+ rapids: Meatgrinder and Troublemaker. Meatgrinder appears early in the run, notable for its length, shallowness, and the challenges it presents. While inconvenient to portage, it's easy to scout. Troublemaker, sometimes called 'S-Turn,' has a tricky hole and offset chute and is the most challenging rapid on this section; it offers an easy scout and portage option. Other rapids include Racehorse, a turbulent 'C-Turn' rapid, Maya, a prime play spot with accessible eddy service, and First Threat, another fun surf spot with a small but manageable eddy reachable by walking along the shore. At higher flows (3,500-7,000 cfs), the difficulty rises to class II+-III+, with two to three class IV- rapids and one class IV. This increase in flow makes the stretch from Meatgrinder through Maya more intense, requiring paddlers to dodge larger holes, with less downtime between rapids. The 'pool' between Meatgrinder and Second Helping becomes more dynamic, and the right side of Second Helping tends to be rougher at these flows. Although the first three rapids maintain their general shape, they take on a big-water feel with more chaotic waves. At Maya, a large hole forms on the right side above the usual play spots, which become more challenging. One section to watch out for at high flows is African Queen, where a wide, intimidating hole develops. Troublemaker becomes more challenging as well, with the 'Double Trouble' right channel often being the preferred line to avoid the heavier consequences in the traditional left channel. In Double Trouble, a wall-side eddy can make recovery challenging if paddlers flip. A sneaky right channel around Double Trouble can be fun if it's clear of strainers. Unlike the Gorge, higher flows in this section require paddlers to be vigilant about channels and possible strainers, especially around African Queen and below The Narrows. Logistics: Put-in: Chili Bar offers a large parking area and a gravel beach for launching rafts and kayaks. Designated areas are available for both the public and outfitters. A launch fee applies for use of this site, which is now owned and managed by the American River Conservancy. Take-out: The primary take-out point for this run is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. Several other take-out options are available in the area, with campgrounds along the river offering both put-in and take-out points for those paying camping or day-use fees. A free access site is located near the Highway 49 Bridge, but parking is very limited. Henningsen Lotus Park, administered by El Dorado County, is downstream of the Highway 49 Bridge on river left and is another take-out option. Shuttle Service: The Coloma Shuttle provides transportation for people and their boats from the take-out in Coloma to the put-in at Chili Bar in the morning. Pick-ups are available at Henningsen Lotus Park or Marshall Gold Discovery Park, with drop-off at Chili Bar. Using the shuttle reduces air pollution and traffic congestion. As of 2024, the shuttle fleet includes two 14-passenger vans with kayak trailers. Rides cost $10, or a 12-ride pass is available for $100. Reservations are typically required on weekends or for alternative pick-up locations. To reserve, call 530-303-2404 or book online. The Coloma Shuttle is operated by the non-profit South Fork Arts and Recreation. Slalom Course: The owners of the Nugget River Park, just upstream of Chili Bar often have a slalom course set up on the river. This course is used for several races, including during the fall American River Festival.   Paddlers who wish to practice here can call (530) 644-6093 to purchase access to the Nugget parking area. Support their efforts to maintain this nice slalom course. Local Clubs: There are a number of active paddling clubs that frequent this river. Listed below are just a few of our American Whitewater affiliates: Gold Country Paddlers Chico Paddleheads Sierra Club: Loma Prieta Chapter. Online Information: American River Page SF American at cacreeks.com The River Store is in Lotus. River Conservancies: Protect American River Canyons works to protect the North and Middle forks of the American River, along with The American River Conservancy.