Goodwin Canyon Double Runs: Class IV+ Rafting in October!

Goodwin Canyon Double Runs is an annual series of rafting trips that occurs every fall on the lower section of the Stanislaus River. We take advantage of special water releases conducted at this time of year and making the most of the opportunity, we run the river twice in one day. Hence the name: Double Runs!

After running the four miles of Class II, III, and IV+ rapids in the morning, we refuel with a well deserved and delicious riverside lunch. In the afternoon we go back up to the top and do it all over again! Many of our guests comment how much fun it is to do a trip this way, because the first time goes by so fast you can barely remember what the rapids looked like. The second run gives you a chance to appreciate the scenery a bit more (and possibly gives you the opportunity to make up for that one rapid your crew didn’t quite get right the first time down).

If you haven’t rafted the Goodwin Canyon before, read our blog post for a first-hand account of what the river is like: My Goodness, Goodwin… Our goal is to provide an amazing experience on this unique river, but part of that is making sure you know what you are getting into. We invite you to contact us prior to booking your trip.

2024 Season: October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27

Goodwin Canyon’s seasonal weekend release is specifically timed to help thousands of migrating Chinook Salmon find their way to their spawning grounds. The fish need cooler water temperatures experienced in the fall. We might even see a few of these large fish on their way upstream while we are on our way downstream, making this an even more unique and special river experience!

If you are wondering what it is like to raft in late fall, we wrote about What Makes California Rafting in the Fall Special in an earlier post. Simply put, fall rafting is beautiful. The soft lighting coupled with the colors of changing leaves make October one of the prettiest months of the year for rafting. Even in drought years, we can offer whitewater rafting trips in California thanks to scheduled water releases from upstream reservoirs. For more on this topic, read our post When in Drought, There’s Still Water For Rafting.

Under a 2-Hour Drive From the San Francisco Bay Area

The closest whitewater rafting trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, this hidden gem of a river is only a 1.5 to 2-hour road trip, making this one of our most convenient rafting trips.

Not many people even know that it exists. This secret canyon is located on the far western edge of the Sierra near the quaint little town of Knights Ferry, home of the longest covered bridge this side of the Mississippi. If you’ve ever made the drive past Oakdale on Highway 120 on the way to Yosemite National Park, you probably didn’t even notice it was there. But tucked away from sight among the golden rolling foothills is a steep-walled lush volcanic slot canyon featuring fun Class III and two Class IV+ rapids, all within a short drive from your doorstep.

Are You Ready to Book?

We encourage you to talk to one of our California Rafting Consultants if you have any questions about this trip – you can contact us by phone, Live Chat or email. If you are ready to reserve your space, you can also book online.