Tuolumne River 3-day trips

World class whitewater near Yosemite.

Offered in Association with our Sister Outfitter

$764 – $849

About the Trip

Here to Help

We’re here to help!

Our friendly office staff are ready to answer any questions and help you book your next adventure!

209-532-6249

Overview

Three memorable and exciting days on this National Wild and Scenic river.

  • Max trip size is 22 guests
  • Minimum age 10-14 depending on water levels / April – Sept
  • Adventurous First Timers OK
  • Our 3-day Tuolumne trips utilize gear rafts for all cargo, and both paddle and oar/paddle combo rafts for our clients

3-Day 2024 Trip Dates

Selected days from April through early-September. Choose your preferred date online or contact us. Or we will contact you if your preferred date is not available.

Tuolumne 3-Day Pricing

Selected DaysOptionsPrice
Adult/Youth
Group Price (12+)
Adult/Youth
All7 meals, 18 miles$889/$800$800
  • Prices are per person and subject to a 10% Government access/service fee

Itinerary

Day 1:

  • Meet near Buck Meadows (see your Trip Confirmation for specific time and location)
  • Sign in, get waterproof bag from Head Guide, pack your gear
  • Load up in bus for 30 minute exciting and scenic bus ride to launch area
  • Safety talk, paddle practice
  • On river 10:30 – 11:00
  • Raft with lunch stop
  • Arrive at camp around 4:00 pm
  • Unpack rafts, and unload your personal gear at your campsight
  • Set up your camp, relax or hike or swim until happy hour and dinner around 7:00
  • Enjoy evening. Stories, music, bedtime whenever

Day 2:

  • Breakfast. Enjoy the morning relaxing.
  • Load rafts around 9:30, and get ready for another great day of rafting
  • On river again 10:30/11:30…raft with possible hike stop and lunch at 1:00
  • Continue rafting until camp around 4:00. Set up your camp, relax, hike, swim
  • Dinner again around 7:00.
  • Post-dinner stories, games, stargazing, bonding, bed

Day 3:

  • Rise, shine, and breakfast by 9
  • Potential hike up a side creek, to enjoy natural granite swimming holes, jumping rocks, and waterfalls
  • Hike back to camp and river and lunch
  • Load rafts, and raft to Wards Ferry Bridge
  • Arrive bridge by 3:30, load your personal gear into bus, and bus ride back to your cars by 5:00

What’s Included

  • 7 meals starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with lunch on Day 3
  • Wetsuits and paddle jackets (spring trips)
  • All river equipment including helmets and life jackets
  • Parking and round trip bus shuttle to and from river

Extras:

  • Tents and/or sleeping packs (consisting of sleeping bag, sheet liner ground cover, and thermarest pad) are available to rent.  Please contact our office for details.

River Camp

On the river we camp at riverside sites. We pack all gear in, and out, each trip. To protect the river environment we carry out all trash and are careful not to pollute the river. Our guides will instruct you on washing and sanitation procedures for using our portable toilet facilities. We ask that you cooperate by following these procedures to minimize our impact on the river and canyon.

On the River

Breakfast the morning of your trip is your responsibility. We provide all meals on the river, starting with lunch the first day and ending with lunch on the last day. One-day trips (April) serve lunch only. We provide water and Gatorade, various juices, coffee, hot chocolate. If you wish to bring your own beverages (alcohol or otherwise), we will provide cooler space for you at the start of the trip. No alcohol during the

Wet suits provided free of charge

As a service to our clients, Zephyr provides wet suits and paddle jackets free of charge. Wet suits are recommended on all trips through about mid June, depending on previous winter snowpack. The wet suits are designed for whitewater rafting, and are very comfortable. The suit is a full-length “farmer-john” style, with sleeveless tops. We also provide an optional nylon paddle jacket which can be worn over the suit when necessary. You are welcome to provide your own suit if you wish.

“What do I wear underneath my wet suit?” An important question that comes up often. We recommend wearing a thin nylon swim suit, or other non-bulky swim attire, underneath your wet suit.

During the summer months you can expect hot days (often reaching into the 90s) and warm nights (usually in the 60s). Spring and Fall weather is usually excellent (daytime temperatures range from the 60s to 80s). Rain showers can occasionally occur. Feel free to call us for the latest weather forecast.

Packing for Overnight Trips

When you arrive at La Casa Loma, your head guide will give you waterproof bags for packing your gear. You will have your own waterproof bags for the duration of the trip. Please pack lightly, as you will be packing everything you bring on the river into these waterproof bags. Gear packed in waterproof bags will not be accessible during the day. For small items that you wish to use during the day (sunscreen, lip ointment, cameras, etc.), we suggest putting them in a plastic ziplock bag, which we can place in day bags.

Visit our friends at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company for all your river equipment needs. They have an outlet in Sonora, but you can also visit and order from them online.

On the river

  • Shorts/swim suit
  • Tennis shoes or river sandals
  • Sunglasses with tie-on
  • Waterproof camera/GoPro (bring at your own risk!)
  • Light Windbreaker
  • T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt
  • Hat/Visor. Note: You will be wearing a helmet, and you should bring along a baseball style hat which can be worn underneath your helmet. Most other hat styles other than a baseball style hat will not work underneath your helmet.
  • Sunscreen

In camp

  • Dry shoes & socks
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Flashlight
  • Towel
  • Sweater or Jacket
  • Ground cloth, pad or air mattress
  • Comfortable clothes for camp
  • Toiletries & medications

Optional

  • Clean set of clothes to leave in your car for the drive home
  • Fishing gear with license
  • Books, games
  • Extra beer or soft drinks
  • Tent
  • Rain Gear

Cool weather items

  • Polypro or wool long underwear
  • Wool or pile pants
  • Tent, Rain Gear
  • Wool or polypro sweater/jacket
  • Wool hat & gloves
  • Wetsuit & booties

Logistics, Directions & Accomodations

Tuolumne River trips meet in the town of Groveland, CA, but the exact location may vary by date. Please refer to your Trip Confirmation for the specific address, or contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.

Please refer to your Trip Confirmation for the specific meeting time, which can vary between 8:00 AM to 9:00 a.m., depending on the trip. Our bus leaves about 15 minutes after the meeting time, so if you are late you might miss the trip.  Please allow yourselves enough time to arrive to our meeting spot at or before the meeting time.  Sorry, but there can be no refunds for guests who miss the trip.

Groveland, the nearest town to our meeting place is on Highway 120. From Sacramento (driving time 3 hours), take Highway 99 South to Manteca. Go East on Highway 120, through Oakdale and Chinese Camp to Groveland.

From Los Angeles (driving time 6 hours)

Take Highway 99 North to Merced. At the Northern end of Merced, take Highway J59 towards Sonora. Stay on J59 until you reach Highway 132, turn right to Coulterville. At Coulterville, Highway 132 ends at Highway 49. Turn left on Highway 49, 50 yards, then turn right on Highway J20 to Greely Hill. Follow J20 past Greely Hill to Highway 120. Turn right on Highway 120, about 1/2 mile to Ferretti Rd., turn left.

From the San Francisco Bay Area (driving time 3 1/2 hours)

Take Highway 580 East to 280 East to Manteca. Follow Highway 120 through Oakdale and Chinese Camp to Groveland.

Airports

The closest major airports are San Francisco and Oakland. You will need to rent a car and drive approximately 2 1/2 hours to our meeting place. For private planes, Pine Mountain Lake Airport is near our trip meeting place. Airport pickup is available by prior arrangement.

  • Hotel Charlotte – Downtown Groveland, with cozy rooms, good food & spirits. Located across the street from the famous Iron Door Saloon and just 7 miles from the Casa Loma meeting location. Rental houses available sleeping up to 16 people. (209) 962-6455
  • Berkshire Bed & Breakfast – 19959 Hwy 120, Groveland (209) 962-6744
  • Groveland Hotel – Downtown Groveland, with an excellent restaurant. (209) 962-4000
  • Yosemite Westgate Motel – Buck Meadows, 5 minutes from our meeting spot.
  • Yosemite Rose B&B – A wonderful country bed and breakfast only minutes from La Casa Loma Store.
  • Blackberry Inn B&B – A nice bed and breakfast in Buck Meadows
  • The Evergreen Lodge – a wonderfully historic lodge with cabins and restaurant approx. 45 minutes from our meeting spot.  Historic and scenic, located midway between our Tuolumne and Merced river meeting spots.
  • Yosemite Ridge Resort is a 43 acre facility featuring cabin rentals, full hookup RV spaces, restaurant, general store, gasoline, propane and laundromat all on site. Located in Buck Meadows, about 4 miles east of Casa Loma on Hwy. 120, and very convenient to our Tuolumne meeting spot at La Casa Loma.

Additional lodging is available in Sonora, approximately one hour from our meeting spot. If you are having trouble finding lodging, please call our office, we will be happy to assist you.

There are three US Forest Service campgrounds, some with group sites available, near La Casa Loma Store. The closest campground is The Pines, and 2004 camping fees are $12.00 per person. Call the Groveland Ranger District at (209) 962-7825 for information or (209) 379-2402 for group reservations. Another option is Moccasin Point Camp on Hwy 120, about 45 minutes from our meeting spot. Call (209) 852-2396 for information.

Notes

Tuolumne 3 Day
Tuolumne River

Our 3 day trips provide the best opportunity to relax and enjoy the moment. Late mornings drinking coffee by the river, watching birds fly through the canyon, beautiful side hikes, and of course exciting whitewater.