South Fork of American River:
The lower South Fork American dumps into Folsom Lake not far above Sacramento. From there the river stretches dozens of miles to the Sierra Crest at Echo Pass above Lake Tahoe basin. Highway 50 follows along much of the river as it enters the canyon shortly above Pollock Pines and Placerville.
Both the Silver Fork of the South Fork and Silver Creek are major feeder watersheds. Beyond the canyons, the terrain is relatively gentle and heavily roaded and serves as logging country.
The northern side of the basin at its highest elevations drains from Lake Aloha and forms the spectacularly rugged southern end of the Crystal Mountains that lies within the Desolation Wilderness.
The South Fork American is internationally famous for its whitewater rafting. Just below Chili Bar Reservoir, quickly off of Highway 193 at the bridge across the South Fork, there is good boating access for about 20 miles of one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the western U.S. A short distance above Chili Bar the narrow Slab Creek Reservoir is the only disruption to a series of whitewater runs lying upriver. These are most popular with skilled independent rafters and gung-ho kayakers.
Union Valley Reservoir, Ice House Reservoir and the upper-country Wrights Lake each provide popular boating, fishing and camping opportunities. Flatwater paddlers enjoy the narrow river-run Slab Creek Reservoir.
Fly fishing anglers enjoy the easy access along Highway 50 plus several opportunities to fish the Silver Fork along the nearby road. The lakes are all popular for boat-access fishing. The lakes are most scenic in the late spring and early summer before drawdown. Fishing is best in the cool of spring and fall.
Each of the major reservoir areas provide trails; several have been designed for mountain biking enthusiasts that are looking for family runs. Wright Lake is a popular base for hiking and equestrian trails that climb into the rugged Crystal Mountains and Desolation Wilderness. Sayles Canyon along with Strawberry and Cody Creeks offer both hiking and mountain biking but entertain light use. Horsetail Falls lies across the river to the north and although at times it is a bit challenging to reach the falls, they are popular and well worth the trip. The upper Silver Fork of the American River and Caples Creek provide the setting for several trails; several are popular with motorcycle users. The historic Pony Express Trail can still be followed in several areas along Highway 50 that have been designated by the Eldorado National Forest as a National Historical Trail.
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) 4WD enthusiasts enjoy the area above Union Valley Reservoir and the well-enjoyed 4WD challenge up Strawberry Creek to the ridge above Caples Creek.
The Rock Creek OHV Area emphasizes nearly 100 miles of trails suitable for Motorcycle use. A dedicated map for the area is available from the Eldorado National Forest and is reproduced in the Detail Maps of SierraOutdoorRecreation.com. The area is well monitored and closed during wet-weather conditions.
Camping is popular around each of the major reservoirs as well as campgrounds sitting next to the Silver Fork and main fork of the South Fork American Rivers; these are readily accessed by Highway 50 or the paved Silver Fork road.
Both the headwaters of the Middle Fork and South Fork American Rivers offer a unique recreation opportunity through overnight rental by the Eldorado National Forest of several rustic accommodations ranging from fire lookouts, bunkhouses, a ski lodge and the summer home of timber baron.
Directions: Highway 49 between Columa and Placerville provide major access routes and Highway 50 up the South Fork cuts through the center of the Area from bottom to top. Both the Ice House and Silver Fork Roads are paved Forest Highways that provide ready access to their areas.
