About North Fork American River
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Overview The North Fork American River lies within a deeply incised canyon with the river itself being 2,000 feet to 2,400 feet below the canyon rim. This segment of the river is a Congressionally-designated Wild River and a State-designated Wild Trout Stream. Features include scenic, recreation, cultural and water quality values. Ponderosa pine forest occupies much of the area with some steep hillsides occupied by oak woodland and chaparral. Historical features along the North Fork include the Stevens Trail, American View, and Cape Horn. Visitors to the North Fork enjoy a semi-wilderness setting. River access is possible at the lower end near the Colfax-Iowa Hill bridge, or by a strenuous descent by trail from a few locations along the canyon rim. Trails leading to the North Fork are used by hikers, backpackers, pack and saddle stock users, gold panners, and by whitewater recreationists gaining access to the river at Euchre Bar. Whitewater rafting, hiking, backpacking, swimming, recreational gold panning, fishing, nature study and picnicking are among the most popular activities. Whitewater recreation through this segment of river is Class V which means experts only, and only under certain conditions of flow. Typically, the whitewater run of the North Fork Wild River segment termed the “Giant Gap Run” is possible only during the spring and early summer. Please note: This river is not recommended for the inexperienced boater. Put-In: Euchre Bar - a two (2) mile walk from the trailhead Take-Out: Iowa Hill-Colfax Bridge River Class: IV-V RECREATION SITE: Stevens Trail Hunting and Shooting Info - North Fork American River SRMA All public lands located in MDM, T. 15 N., R. 9 E., Sec. 26 are CLOSED to target shooting. Hunting is allowed, in accordance with State law, unless a specific area is signed CLOSED by the BLM. NOTE: All California game species are regulated by the Californi
