FAQ

Can I camp at EarthTrek if I am not on a rafting trip or part of an organized group?

No, we are not a public campground that offers camping only. In order to camp with us you must be registered on rafting trip with our partner OARS or be a part of a scheduled group event.

Are pets allowed?

No, unfortunately pets are not allowed at our facility unless approved for special circumstances.

Can I do any personal cooking at EarthTrek?

We do not permit our guests to personal cook using camp stoves, BBQs, etc. Most meals are provided as part of the rafting or event package. There are also several restaurants located close by if you need to purchase any additional food.

Is there RV camping available?

We are not an RV campground. There are no RV sites or electricity/hookups. If you are traveling in your RV or with a trailer, we can allow you to camp in our main parking lot if we pre-approve it (during busy times we may not have room in our gravel parking lot for large RVS/trailers). Please note that in summer it gets extremely hot since there is no shade, so camping in your vehicle is not recommended. Generators are not allowed and there is no access to water in the parking lot.

What should I bring for the camping portion of my trip?

If you are renting one of our rental tents, you will still need to bring a pillow, sleeping bag or sheets and a warm blanket. Each bed comes with a foam mattress pad. There is no electricity in the tents, so please bring a battery or solar powered lantern, headlamp, or other non flammable luminary device. You will also want to bring a few towels for showers and all personal toiletries you might need. Even in summer it can get chilly at night and in the mornings, so bring a warm layer to keep comfortable. It's also a good idea to bring folding camp chairs for relaxing down at the river. If you like to cast a line in hopes for a biting rainbow trout, bring along your fishing gear and valid CA fishing license. You are welcome to bring pre-cooked food, snacks, and beverages of your choice so bring along a cooler (ice is available for purchase at the Chevron gas station nearby). You will find a comprehensive list of things to bring for rafting and camping on the OARS website if you register for rafting.

Which rafting trip is best for me or my group?

The South Fork American is a class III river, which means it is perfect for first time rafters yet offers enough adventure and thrill for everyone. The South Fork is split into two sections: the Lower Gorge and the Upper Chili Bar. On our 2-day trips you will raft both sections. On our Super 1-day trip you will raft one day on the Lower Gorge. If you have a few rafting trips under your belt or desire a more thrilling experience, we recommend you ask us about the Middle Fork or North Fork American Rivers.

What is the minimum age to go rafting?

In most scenarios, the minimum age to raft the South Fork is 8 years old (during high water the age minimum may be increased). The minimum age to raft the Middle and North Fork is 14.

What is considered a "group"?

While we do not have a minimum number of people to technically be considered a "group", when we are referring to a group event, we generally are referring to a themed reason for gathering, such as a company retreat, team bonding event, family reunion, etc. We welcome any amount of people to camp and raft with us (even singles!). We offer standard camping and rafting packages for small family and friend groups or singles. However, to gain exclusive use of our entire facility, you must be one cohesive group of around 50 or more. Rafting group discounts are also available.

What is the maximum capacity the EarthTrek facility can hold?

The most comfortable maximum group number for camping is around 70. The rest of our facility can accommodate much more people, but we are limited by the amount of comfortable beds for adults in our rental tents. Since most of our tents have bunk beds inside, we do not recommend filling each tent to its listed capacity because it's not ideal to have adults sleeping in the top bunks. For groups, guests may bring their own tents to set up which would increase the capacity for camping beyond 70. If not everyone is camping, our facility can comfortably accommodate anywhere from 120-150 people. If you do plan on having 70 people or more in your group, we definitely recommend talking with us to see if/how we can comfortably accommodate your group.

If I'm planning a group event such as a corporate retreat, what else can the EarthTrek facility offer and what else is there to do in the area for my group?

Our main activity that we offer is whitewater rafting with our partner OARS. We highly recommend considering rafting as the main activity for your group. We offer both one and two day and possibly three day trips if that is something you are interested in. If you are looking for more adventurous outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, or rock climbing we know of other local outfitters we can recommend you to. During your event at our facility, we cater most of your meals and also work with another local caterer if you have a special menu in mind. We unfortunately cannot offer in-depth event planning or on-site coordination for your other group activities. We are experts in hosting group events, so we can definitely assist the best we can or help point you in the direction you need for event planning help.

What is the price to host a group event at EarthTrek?

Depending on your group's needs and time spent on-site, we will work with you to get all the details we need to give you a quote. We can generate a per person rate if you would like each guest to pay separately or a group rate that the group organizer takes care of.

How do I make a reservation?

If you are not a large group and just want to make a standard rafting and camping reservation, you can do so online or by phone/email with our partner OARS. If you click on the "Book Rafting" buttons scattered throughout our website it will take you directly to the OARS website where you will find their contact info and their online reservation system. There are two trips available to book that are specific to camping at EarthTrek which are the "Super 1-day" and "Deluxe 2-day" trips. If you have specific questions about facility or would like to inquire about hosting a group event with us, please reach out to us in the "Contact Us" section of our website.

When is the EarthTrek camp open and available for camping/rafting/events?

During the spring months (March-May) our campground is used exclusively for 4th grade schools who come to us for our Gold Rush Living History programs. During this time we rarely allow anyone else to book with us, but please reach out to us to check first since sometimes we have some availability in spring. After Memorial Day and through Labor Day we are open most days during the week and weekend for camping/rafting/group events. After Labor Day through around the second weekend of October we are open on a more limited basis for camping/rafting/group events. We shut down for the season generally after the second weekend of October.

Are there enforced quiet hours?

Yes, there is an El Dorado County noise ordinance that all amplified sound must quiet down after 10 PM. We also have enforced quiet hours in camp from 10 PM to 7 AM so that all our guests can have a peaceful nighttime experience. There are several night life hot spots you can walk to from camp if you wish to keep the good times rolling.

How close is the nearest airport?

The closest major airport is Sacramento International, which is about 57 miles away (roughly a 1 hour, 10 minute drive). Due to our rural location, Uber, Lyft, and other transportation services are more expensive and/or limited than in more urban areas. There are some more local taxi and other transportation services that may be available, but you will need to coordinate those services on your own.