Located on the South Fork of the American River in Coloma, the Mother Lode River Center is California’s original whitewater rafting camp.
Affectionately known as “MaLode” by locals, our camp provides the perfect setting for whitewater rafting, challenge ropes and outdoor education programs. Available exclusively to our guests, the camp is 12 gorgeous acres stretching over a third of a mile of riverfront on the South Fork American River. (See our Camp Tour below.) Amenities include delicious home cooked meals from our large commercial kitchen, modern shower and bathroom facilities, riverside fire rings and river sauna. Points of interest in camp include stone walking paths leading to Nisenan (a local native tribe) grinding stones, illustrating the ancient use of our camp by Native Americans that dates back thousands of years. History buffs will also want to visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park and Sutter’s Mill where gold was discovered in California in 1848. This is just three miles away. Also within minutes are several lakes, wineries and countless miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. We are 20 minutes away from Placerville or Folsom and less than an hour from Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.
Camping Options
Canvas Cabin Tents: We have 8 tents accommodating up to 4 people each with bunk bed cots provided. Our ninth and tenth tent accommodates up to 8 people with 4 bunk bed cots. You provide only your pillow and sleeping bag. For extra comfort, sleeping pad rentals are also available.
Dome Tent Camping: We rent dome tents that accommodate 2 to 6 people each, and upon request, we’ll set them up for you prior to your arrival. If you plan to camp on the grass in your own tent, we recommend tents that they are easily assembled and moved.
Help Save the Grass! Please remember to remove your tent from the grass before leaving for the river. Tents left on the grass during the day will destroy the grass. Without the grass the camp washes downstream during floods. Think “dome” tent. They can be moved in seconds.
Local B&Bs, Historic Hotels and Motels
The Helpful Links section provides information on local establishments. If you have questions, feel free to contact our friendly reservations staff!
Tour the Camp!
Camp Tour Instructions: If you are using Internet Explorer, you may need to press F5 to start the tour. Roll your mouse to the top of the black screen to view the controls (pause, forward, backward, speed). Roll your mouse to the bottom of the screen to view thumbnails of all pictures. Click on any picture to view a description.
