Auburn State Recreation Area: Map

Spring comes early to the Confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River -- by December or January rich green grass is bursting out, and by February the first flowers are emerging. Yet, muted fall colors of oaks last long into winter on the ridges as the green of spring begins to creep in under the trees. The ASRA is an all-season outdoors recreation haven -- but leave your skis at home.

The ASRA straddles two forks of the American River drainage. Only a small hill separates these drainages from the original gold discovery at Coloma on the South Fork. Within months of the news getting out and by summer 1848, the Confluence and both canyons were teeming with miners. Towns sprang up while roads and trails forged connections between them. Today we can enjoy many of those pioneer routes as trails to family fun or invite us to exercise with all-out gusto.

With the exception of a short stretch backed into picturesque Lake Clementine, the ASRA playground celebrates the same free-flowing rivers that challenged Gold Rush miners. Sierra OutdoorRecreation.com won’t predict the fate of the partially completed Auburn Dam that could inundate the rivers within the ASRA. Whether you’re hiking, in a saddle, or on the seat of a mountain bike or raucous Off-highway Vehicle (OHV), we will help you enjoy the scenic and proud rivers in their au naturel condition.

Within the ASRA lie the final 38 miles of the famed 100-mile Western States Trail from Foresthill to Auburn. The trail is beloved by endurance runners and Tevis Cup equestrian riders for the two annual events that run the 100 mile length. Segments of the trail offer all of us more laid-back opportunities and connections to other trails.

On the lower North Fork River, fishing is at best “fair” and mostly limited to warm water species Throughout the river system, the best fishing occurs early in the season while water is still relatively cool. On the Middle Fork, in part due to the release of cooler waters from dams upstream, trout are more common and fishing considered good above Ruck-a-Chucky rapids. Access is sparse, which adds to its allure. See Lake Clementine as well as fishing for more discussion.

Whitewater thrills are available for savvy fun seekers that have the equipment and confidence to run the rivers on their own. Several commercial boating outfitters float each of the rivers and cater to novice and experienced alike. Above Clementine Reservoir, the North Fork American is free-flowing for its entire length. Above the Iowa Hill Road the river is a Congressionally designated Wild River up to Heath Falls and the North Fork Association private lands (see North Fork American River Area for description of the upper river). The Middle Fork may be tamed somewhat but, when the water is released from Oxbow Dam, the whitewater boating ride is one of the wildest anywhere. Plus, whitewater season lasts well into summer.

ASRA is over 35,000 acres and highly popular with over a half-million visitors each year. Including nearly 40 miles of relatively free flowing river, Lake Clementine, and hundreds of miles of trails, ASRA’s attraction is not hard to understand. Whether whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or swimming, this is a place to go for families – except at mid-day on hot summer days. Then go for a swim. There’s even solitude waiting adventurous souls ready to go the extra mile

The ASRA is Auburn’s backyard. They’ll share, but it’s a scramble to find much trail information. Sierra OutdoorRecreation.com lists trails and include their U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, but most of the trails are not delineated on these maps unless they follow old roads already mapped. Fortunately, the ASRA sells a great “Topographic Trail Map” that even includes Whitewater mileages. Plus, volunteer “Canyon Keepers” are developing excellent trail guides. Stop by ASRA Headquarters, 1 mile east of Auburn on Highway 49, for these guides.