
ABOUT US
A LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
We are EarthTrek Expeditions, a family owned and operated rafting campground and group event facility on the South Fork American River in Northern California.
We proudly have over 47 years of experience in organizing group events and outdoor recreation activities. EarthTrek began as a tour operator running whitewater rafting, bicycle, and ski trips throughout the West. Whitewater rafting on the American River soon became our focus, as well as developing our own campground. After many decades in the outfitting business, we have now partnered with OARS, one of the most reputable rafting outfitters in the country. When you book a trip with us you will be camping at EarthTrek and rafting with OARS.
Today we primarily offer a comfortable "bed and breakfast" camping experience for our whitewater rafting guests where delicious meals are prepared for you by our staff. We also offer our facilities for group events such as weddings, retreats, corporate events, family reunions, and youth education programs. Having our own private campground on the river allows us to offer one of the most unique gathering spaces in the region.
Please note we are not a public campground that offers camping only, in order to camp with us you must be booked on one of our rafting trips with OARS or with a scheduled group event.
River-side Group EVENT FACILITY
Delicious Meals
Outdoor adventure basecamp
HISTORY OF EARTHTREK
For over 52 years, EarthTrek owner Jerry Ashburn has focused his life on creating unforgettable outdoor experiences for his guests. It all began when Jerry worked for the world's most renowned theme park. During his time at the "happiest place on Earth" he founded an employee activity club and named it the "Disney Alpine Club". Jerry planned and organized employee backpacking trips in the Sierra and a variety of other outdoor adventures. His passion and skill for getting people out in nature escalated and eventually he left the mouse behind and began his own adventure travel company. Jerry offered whitewater rafting trips throughout the West, guided group cycling tours in Death Valley and Napa Valley, and chartered ski trips to Mammoth and several other ski resorts in the West. At one point Jerry planned on running international trips, which is where the name "EarthTrek Expeditions" originated. The dream of trekking the earth was not quite in the cards, but the name stuck.
Whitewater rafting on the American River eventually became his focus and he acquired commercial operating permits to run his own rafting trips. For 30+ years, EarthTrek ran their trips out of River's Bend Resort and for a few seasons even shared their camp with OARS as their neighbor, not knowing at the time what the future would hold in their relationship down the road. In 1992, Jerry was presented the opportunity to purchase river front property and develop his own camp. For about 24 years he ran his own whitewater rafting outfit while simultaneously improving upon each year's work towards developing the best campground he could envision.
In 2016, Jerry decided to "semi-retire" and focus on what he is most passionate about, developing and maintaining his campground, In order to do so he sought out who he trusted to be the most reliable and promising outfitter to work with and transferred his river permits to OARS, Inc. and left the outfitting operations to them. EarthTrek and OARS developed a working partnership to bring their guests the best experience possible on the American River. By combining OARS's expertise on the river with EarthTrek's hospitality and comfortable river-side campground, guests are treated to the ultimate rafting and camping vacation. EarthTrek has also over the years hosted thousands upon thousands of 4th grade students who come to Coloma to learn about the California Gold Rush, hosted community events, music festivals, weddings, and a variety of other group events.
The operation EarthTrek runs today has been built upon a lifetime of Jerry and his family's hard work and devotion to providing their guests with a memorable outdoor experience.

Jerry in front of Mount Whitney


George Wendt rowing through Lava Falls, Colorado River
ABOUT OARS
Late OARS founder and president, George Wendt, was a river-running pioneer.
In the early 60s, when he wasn’t teaching middle school math, George was busy exploring the rivers of the West in military surplus rafts. The more he saw, the more it became clear to him that he wanted to bring people into the wilderness and share his passion for wild river canyons. By 1969, his private trips turned into professional trips, and George’s dream of “officially” taking guests downriver came to fruition. When he passed in 2016, George left behind one of the largest river outfitting companies in the world. Still, some 50-plus years later, OARS's roots as a family-owned and operated company remain the same. George’s sons, Tyler and Clavey Wendt, along with numerous dedicated staff and guides (some of whom have been with the company for decades), carry on a long legacy of providing people with unforgettable adventures in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
The OARS Difference
OARS understands you have many options when choosing an adventure vacation. But there’s a reason that 70% of their travelers each year are repeat guests or were referred by a past OARS traveler.
Experience
With more than five decades of experience under their belts, they are proud to lead the way and set industry standards for everything from training and safety to environmental stewardship and sustainable travel.
Passionate Guides
OARS's passionate and knowledgeable guides have earned the reputation of being the most experienced, professional, and customer-focused crews on the water, and the proof is the overwhelming number of positive reviews received after almost every single trip.
Adventure Consultants
OARS's dedicated year-round office staff and team of Adventure Consultants know how to match you with the perfect trip and answer any and every question you may have leading up to your adventure.
Best in Class
OARS's award-winning adventures are routinely recognized as “best in class” by major travel publications, including the “Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure and one of the top two outfitters in the world by Outside.